Safeguarding Singapore’s borders against the entry of smuggled, illegal or undesirable persons and goods, and especially security sensitive items, is the key priority for ICA. ICA subjects all arriving conveyances to 100% checks.

2          For departing conveyances, ICA adopts a risk management approach to balance security checks and facilitate smooth departure clearance at the checkpoints. This is a common practice internationally. Other countries also adopt an arrival-centric approach to border security and risk management approach to departure clearance screening of people, goods and conveyances. This is also to optimise resources.

3          Our departure checks are therefore calibrated based on Singapore's prevailing security posture. For example, enhanced checks will be conducted on departing conveyances in the aftermath of major security incidents to prevent the perpetrators from leaving Singapore.

4          On a day to day basis, ICA conducts regular and random operations on departing conveyances to deter and detect attempts to depart Singapore illegally. Such selective checks will cover car boots, the luggage and engine compartments of buses, as well as the cabin and container compartments of lorries. Targeted and thorough checks may also be conducted on departing conveyances based on risk profiling and information received. While the checks may not be 100%, they are not minimal or negligible in number.

5          100% checks on departing conveyances will have significant impact on trade and travel at the land checkpoints (e.g. passengers departing Singapore via buses, goods vehicles, tourists and workers travelling in cars and motorcycles) and severely worsen the departure traffic situation. Our land checkpoints are one of the busiest land crossings in the world, where about 200,000 travellers depart daily pre-COVID. Any delay in clearing departure traffic during peak hours can cause traffic tailback onto our roads inland, such as BKE for Woodlands Checkpoint and AYE for Tuas Checkpoint. It would also disrupt trade flows between Singapore and Malaysia. A more balanced approach has therefore been adopted.


IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
23 JULY 2022