Multi-Agency Enforcement Operations at Various Checkpoints

Officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Customs (Customs), National Parks Board (NParks), and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation between 21 and 27 May 2025 across the land, air, and sea checkpoints.

 2. The operation was part of continual efforts by the authorities to detect and enforce against non-compliance of Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) and other illegal cross-border activities. During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints.  More than 19,000 travellers and 1,600 vehicles were identified for checks, and more than 26,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched.

CBCRR Offences

3. 14 travellers were caught moving cash exceeding S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) into and out of Singapore without declaration or with inaccurate declaration during the operations:

a. On 21 May 2025, four male foreign travellers, aged between 26 and 71, were separately detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to between S$20,700 and S$380,139 into or out of Singapore, while having made an inaccurate declaration, or not having made the required declaration.

b. On 22 May 2025, two foreign travellers, a 47-year-old man, and a 49-year-old woman, were separately detected bringing cash of various currencies worth S$51,776 and S$29,261 respectively into Singapore without declaration.

c. On 23 May 2025, a 55-year-old male foreign traveller was detected making an inaccurate declaration when moving cash consisting of S$399,965 and MYR1,621 into Singapore. The cash is suspected to be derived from the traveller’s unlicensed moneylending activities.

d. On 24 May 2025, three male foreign travellers, aged between 45 and 63, were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to between S$22,938 and S$541,000 into or out of Singapore without declaration.

e. On 25 May 2025, a 42-year-old male foreigner traveller was detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$30,416 into Singapore without declaration.

f. On 26 May 2025, a 54-year-old male foreign traveller was detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$28,480 into Singapore without declaration.  

g. On 27 May 2025, two foreign travellers, a 77-year-old man and a 33-year-old man, were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$23,409 and S$36,140 respectively into Singapore without declaration. 

4. Of these 14 travellers, four were issued with Notices of Warning, seven were issued with composition sums amounting to S$27,000, while investigations into the remaining three travellers are ongoing. Amongst the three travellers still under investigation, one of them was charged for an offence of possessing property which represented his benefits from criminal conduct, under Section 54(1)(c) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 and punishable under Section 54(5) of the same Act.

5. Director Commercial Affairs Department, Mr David Chew said, “Smuggling cash across borders is a way by which criminals launder proceeds of crime. Singapore will not tolerate such activities. We have a robust Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime to detect and intercept suspicious movements of cash or bearer negotiable instruments, and we may fine or even charge the offenders. We will take strict enforcement action against anyone who fails to make a full and accurate report of cash movements into or out of Singapore.”    

6. SPF implements the CBCRR to curb money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activities. Since 13 May 2024, the CBCRR penalties have been enhanced to strengthen deterrence. Members of the public are reminded that while there are no restrictions on the amount of Cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) that can be moved into or out of Singapore, it is a statutory requirement to report the cross-border physical movement of CBNIs if the total value exceeds S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency). Travellers are required to submit a declaration electronically within 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore by:

a. Downloading the MyICA mobile app and selecting “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration” or

b. Submitting the declaration via ICA’s website at https://go.gov.sg/cbnideclaration.

7. For travellers arriving in Singapore, they can also select “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration” under “Other Declarations”, after they have successfully submitted their Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) on either the MyICA mobile app or ICA website.

8. The Police would like to remind travellers that failure to report or to accurately report the movement of CBNIs exceeding S$20,000 is an offence punishable under Section 60(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. Offenders are liable to be fined up to S$50,000 or imprisoned for a term of up to three years, or both. A confiscation order may also be issued for any part of the cash, in relation to which the offence was committed. More information on cross border cash movement reporting can be found on SPF’s website (www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Crime/Commercial Crimes/Suspicious-Transaction-Reporting-Office).

Customs Offences

9. 153 travellers were caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on:

(i)         cigarettes or tobacco products;

(ii)        liquor exceeding duty-free allowance; and/or

(iii)      goods exceeding GST import relief allowances, such as souvenirs and gifts.

The total duty and GST evaded amounted to S$10,754, and S$35,165 in composition sums were imposed. The cases included a traveller carrying 20 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, another with undeclared luxury goods and POPMART toys, and a third with four litres of Chinese liquor in excess of duty-free allowances. All the offences were compounded.

10. Under the Customs Act, individuals involved in the fraudulent evasion of customs or excise duties may face a fine of up to 20 times the amount evaded or imprisonment of up to two years.

11. Travellers are responsible for accurate and complete declarations of dutiable and taxable items. To avoid penalties, they are encouraged to declare and make payment for such goods up to three days before arrival using the Customs@SG Web Application, which is also available on the MyICA mobile app. All cigarettes and tobacco products must comply with the standardised packaging requirements. Non-compliant products will be disposed of at the checkpoints. 

Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act Offences

12. On 26 May 2025, five male travellers aged between 26 and 45 were caught in possession of e-vaporisers upon entering Singapore. Officers from the HSA seized five e-vaporisers, and issued fines to the travellers.

Safeguarding Singapore's Borders

13. Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to work with the relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling, to keep Singapore safe. 

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
NATIONAL PARKS BOARD
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

31 MAY 2025 @ 6.55PM

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Published: 31 May 2025

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