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Response to “Customs officer not ethical” (Berita Harian, 1 Jul 2009)
ICA and Customs explains checks and GST
Berita Harian
18 Jul 2009
We thank Ms Nadia Osman for her letter "Pegawai kastam tidak beretika (Customs officer not ethical)" published on 1 July 2009.
2 For the benefit of Ms Nadia and other readers, we wish to highlight that there are a few agencies operating at the checkpoints which include Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (SC). At the checkpoints, the ICA officers are primarily responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances. SC officers at the checkpoints provide services to travellers who wish to pay duties or GST.
3 We have looked into the matter and found that our officers who handled Ms Nadia's mother's case had conducted themselves appropriately. Ms Nadia also asked why her mother was singled out for checks, and ICA wishes to explain that all travellers are subjected to the same security regime at our checkpoints and are treated equally in the course of security checks. In addition to the 100 per cent x-ray screening of their belongings, further security checks will be carried out by our officers where necessary. In instances where a body search is required, it will be conducted by an officer of the same gender. Our records showed that Ms Nadia's mother was not subjected to a body search.
4 SC would like to take this opportunity to explain the GST regulation concerning the bringing in of goods by travellers like Ms Nadia's mother into Singapore. In general, all goods imported or brought into Singapore, regardless whether they are dutiable or non-dutiable are subject to a 7% GST under the GST Act. An arriving traveller may be granted GST relief on new purchases under certain conditions and up to limits stipulated by law.
5 Under the law, bona-fide travellers and returning Singaporeans who are not holders of a work permit, employment pass, student's pass, dependant's pass or long-term visit pass, will be given GST relief on new articles, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations (excluding intoxicating liquors and tobacco) up to the following value shown below:
6 The above reliefs are not applicable if the goods are brought in for trade, commercial or business purposes, or are carried on behalf of other persons. The same information can also be obtained from the Singapore Customs website at this link --> http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/all/GST+Relief+and+Duty-Free+Concessions.htm
7 Travellers who have dutiable goods or goods exceeding their GST relief limits should proceed to the Red Channel and declare them to the officer on duty. To facilitate computation of the GST payable, travellers are requested to furnish the respective invoices/receipts. The onus is on the arriving person to declare his/her goods correctly and fully to the authority. Making a false or an incorrect or incomplete declaration is an offence under the Customs Act. Offenders may be fined $5,000 or be prosecuted in Court.
8 We are committed to service excellence without compromising on security. As Singapore's front-line ambassadors, our officers are mindful in projecting a professional image while carrying out their core functions. We constantly remind our officers to provide polite and professional service to all travellers.
Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Victor Seah
Deputy Head, Corporate Communications
for Director-General of Customs
Singapore Customs
Customs officer not ethical
Berita Harian
1 Jul 2009
On 24 June at around 2pm, my mother had an unpleasant experience at Woodlands Checkpoint upon arrival into Singapore.
After clearing through immigration, she put her luggage through the X-ray machine. Suddenly, a customs officer requested my mother to empty her bag, which contained three sets of 'baju kurung' tailored in Johor.
She was also asked - 'in a rough tone' - to produce the receipts. When she was unable to do so, she was told to follow the officer into the office 'without any explanation'.
Inside, while the officer went through her bag, she remembered that the tailor had given her a 'small card'. She gave the card to the customs officer, hoping it would help the situation, but the officer only said with a 'tone of mockery': "So this is the receipt. You mentioned earlier there is no receipt. Don't fool around."
The officer also questioned where the clothes were produced, and warned that he might investigate further. He also instructed a female officer to conduct a body search on my mother.
It was only then that another officer explained that every item brought into Singapore had to be declared to customs authorities.
What made my mother most upset was the unethical and rude nature of the officers' behaviour.
My question to the customs department:
Why was my mother singled out to have her bag checked, when other travellers could freely carry their bags into Singapore, without declaring the contents?
Hopefully, the relevant authority can offer an explanation to this.
~ Nadia Osman
Berita Harian
18 Jul 2009
We thank Ms Nadia Osman for her letter "Pegawai kastam tidak beretika (Customs officer not ethical)" published on 1 July 2009.
2 For the benefit of Ms Nadia and other readers, we wish to highlight that there are a few agencies operating at the checkpoints which include Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (SC). At the checkpoints, the ICA officers are primarily responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances. SC officers at the checkpoints provide services to travellers who wish to pay duties or GST.
3 We have looked into the matter and found that our officers who handled Ms Nadia's mother's case had conducted themselves appropriately. Ms Nadia also asked why her mother was singled out for checks, and ICA wishes to explain that all travellers are subjected to the same security regime at our checkpoints and are treated equally in the course of security checks. In addition to the 100 per cent x-ray screening of their belongings, further security checks will be carried out by our officers where necessary. In instances where a body search is required, it will be conducted by an officer of the same gender. Our records showed that Ms Nadia's mother was not subjected to a body search.
4 SC would like to take this opportunity to explain the GST regulation concerning the bringing in of goods by travellers like Ms Nadia's mother into Singapore. In general, all goods imported or brought into Singapore, regardless whether they are dutiable or non-dutiable are subject to a 7% GST under the GST Act. An arriving traveller may be granted GST relief on new purchases under certain conditions and up to limits stipulated by law.
5 Under the law, bona-fide travellers and returning Singaporeans who are not holders of a work permit, employment pass, student's pass, dependant's pass or long-term visit pass, will be given GST relief on new articles, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations (excluding intoxicating liquors and tobacco) up to the following value shown below:
Period away from Singapore
Below 18 years
of age
18 years of age and above
Less than 24 hours
No relief
S$50.00
24 to less than 48 hours
S$ 50.00
S$150.00
48 hours or more
S$100.00
S$300.00
6 The above reliefs are not applicable if the goods are brought in for trade, commercial or business purposes, or are carried on behalf of other persons. The same information can also be obtained from the Singapore Customs website at this link --> http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/all/GST+Relief+and+Duty-Free+Concessions.htm
7 Travellers who have dutiable goods or goods exceeding their GST relief limits should proceed to the Red Channel and declare them to the officer on duty. To facilitate computation of the GST payable, travellers are requested to furnish the respective invoices/receipts. The onus is on the arriving person to declare his/her goods correctly and fully to the authority. Making a false or an incorrect or incomplete declaration is an offence under the Customs Act. Offenders may be fined $5,000 or be prosecuted in Court.
8 We are committed to service excellence without compromising on security. As Singapore's front-line ambassadors, our officers are mindful in projecting a professional image while carrying out their core functions. We constantly remind our officers to provide polite and professional service to all travellers.
Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
Victor Seah
Deputy Head, Corporate Communications
for Director-General of Customs
Singapore Customs
Customs officer not ethical
Berita Harian
1 Jul 2009
On 24 June at around 2pm, my mother had an unpleasant experience at Woodlands Checkpoint upon arrival into Singapore.
After clearing through immigration, she put her luggage through the X-ray machine. Suddenly, a customs officer requested my mother to empty her bag, which contained three sets of 'baju kurung' tailored in Johor.
She was also asked - 'in a rough tone' - to produce the receipts. When she was unable to do so, she was told to follow the officer into the office 'without any explanation'.
Inside, while the officer went through her bag, she remembered that the tailor had given her a 'small card'. She gave the card to the customs officer, hoping it would help the situation, but the officer only said with a 'tone of mockery': "So this is the receipt. You mentioned earlier there is no receipt. Don't fool around."
The officer also questioned where the clothes were produced, and warned that he might investigate further. He also instructed a female officer to conduct a body search on my mother.
It was only then that another officer explained that every item brought into Singapore had to be declared to customs authorities.
What made my mother most upset was the unethical and rude nature of the officers' behaviour.
My question to the customs department:
Why was my mother singled out to have her bag checked, when other travellers could freely carry their bags into Singapore, without declaring the contents?
Hopefully, the relevant authority can offer an explanation to this.
~ Nadia Osman