Multi-agency Enforcement Operations at Checkpoints

Officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs (Customs) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation between 9 and 15 October 2025 across our land, air, and sea checkpoints.

2.     The operation was part of the authorities’ continued efforts to detect and enforce against non-compliance with Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) and other illegal cross-border smuggling activities. During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints. More than 14,000 travellers and 280 vehicles were identified for checks, and more than 11,700 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched.

CBCRR Offences

3.     11 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 10 October 2025, a 52-year-old male foreign traveller, was detected moving cash amounting to MYR 70,000 (equivalent to S$21,504) into Singapore without declaration.

b.    On 11 October 2025, four male foreign travellers, aged between 45 and 60, were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$42,337 into Singapore without declaration.

c.    On 13 October 2025, three male foreign travellers, aged between 38 and 44, and a 37-year-old female foreign traveller, were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$1,249,666 into Singapore, while having made an inaccurate declaration, or not having made the required declaration.

d.   On 14 October 2025, two male foreign travellers, aged 34 and 41, were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$43,604 and S$50,000 respectively into Singapore without declaration.

4.   Of these 11 travellers, four were issued Notices of Warning, six were issued with composition sums amounting to S$24,000, and investigations into the remaining traveller are ongoing.

5.   Director Commercial Affairs Department (SPF), Mr David Chew said, “Cross-border cash smuggling is a well-known money laundering typology.  It is used by criminal organisations to obscure the origins of their illicit proceeds. As an important trade and transportation hub, Singapore maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards cash smuggling. We have implemented a comprehensive Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime to identify and intercept suspicious physical movements of currency and bearer negotiable instruments. We want to interdict illicit cash flows but allow bona fide travellers to carry cash into Singapore – it is not illegal to bring cash into Singapore, as long as you declare cash exceeding $20,000.”   

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 an electronic declaration 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 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.    62 travellers were caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on:

(i) cigarettes or tobacco products; and
(iii) goods exceeding their GST import relief allowances

The total duty and GST evaded amounted to S$7,351, with a total composition sum of S$20,615 imposed. The cases include a traveller found with 31 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, another with a branded watch and two packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, and a third with car wipers and cosmetics. An air crew was also found carrying undeclared compact discs (CDs), clothing, and accessories.

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.    It is the responsibility of all travellers to make an accurate and complete declaration of all goods exceeding their duty-free concession and GST import relief in their possession. 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. Travellers may also use the Customs Declaration Kiosks located at the air, land and sea checkpoints and terminals, to declare and make payment for their goods on arrival.

Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act Offences

12.    Between 9 and 14 October 2025, 13 male travellers and a female traveller, aged between 25 and 65 were caught in possession of e-vaporisers. A total of 395 e-vaporisers and related components were seized. Separately, another 25-year-old female traveller was also caught carrying 11 sachets of chewing tobacco upon entering Singapore. All of them were fined.  

13.    Under the enhanced enforcement regime that came into force on 1 September 2025, individuals found possessing, using, or purchasing e-vaporisers now face higher penalties. Second-time offenders will be required to undergo rehabilitation. Those who do not complete the rehabilitation programme will be prosecuted. Offenders caught using or in possession of e-vaporisers for the third time and more will be prosecuted in court under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and be liable for a fine of up to $2,000. Any person convicted of an import, distribution, sale or offer for sale offence for smokeless tobacco is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or to imprisonment for up to six months or to both, for the first offence and a fine of up to $20,000, or to imprisonment for up to 12 months or to both, for subsequent offences. Members of the public can also voluntarily dispose of e-vaporisers safely at designated e-vaporiser disposal bins placed at selected locations including at Singapore’s border checkpoints.

Safeguarding Singapore’s Borders

14.    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
SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
18 OCTOBER 2025 @ 11AM

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Published: 18 Oct 2025

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