Singapore and import duty

[SokaKiel]

I'll be heading to Singapore in March as part of a four week East Asia business trip. Now I read about the import duties on any smokes "imported" into Singapore...

Usually I travel with 40-50 sticks on me, just to have a nice selection available and be able to hand out some smokes to mates.

All information I found so far states 400g tobacco as the maximum to carry with you. But there seems to be no information on the duty to be paid per gram tobacco at arrival.

If its 10 cent per gram I will travel with the usual set up but if I end up paying a dollar per gram of tobacco I will rethink the amount of cigars to take with me!

Would be great if some of the Singapore locals could help me out here! Would be a sahme to cut down on cigars for the whole trip just because of a brief visit to Singapore!

Thanks for your help!

Leif

[edlye]

Tobacco duties for cigars is currently SGD352 per kg, GST will apply additionally on top of that. There is no tobacco duty-free relief for visitors into Singapore.

More information at the URL below, and best to email your query to customs for more exact information.

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/Travel+Advisory.htm

[SokaKiel]

Thanks Mate,

I appreciate your help! Will take some sticks just to be sure I've got good quality smokes on me. The prices in Singapore seem a bit steep to stock up big time!

Cheers, Leif

[frito]

Thanks Mate,

I appreciate your help! Will take some sticks just to be sure I've got good quality smokes on me. The prices in Singapore seem a bit steep to stock up big time!

Cheers, Leif

Hey Sokakiel,

I have some bad news for you if you are bringing your own cigars.

Customs have a limit of 400grams, above 400grms, you will need a permit.

"Cigarettes & Tobacco Products

There is no duty-free concession for cigarettes and tobacco products. Duty and GST are

payable on all such products brought into Singapore.

Travellers who bring in tobacco products exceeding 400 grams will have to apply for a

Customs permit. "

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.customs.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/BBC98020-02CE-4A19-823B-B97059A325BD/20914/MediaRelease_CustomsTaxPaymentKiosk_Final_1.pdf&sa=U&ei=Ei4kUaeSKYmHmQX0uYCoAg&ved=0CAkQFjAB&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNGV1ESMe30LL_BuGlcvTCQD7wjODg

There is a 400grams limit,

Basically, when you arrive go to the "red channel" and tell the customs that you have some cigars. They will direct you to the payment counter. Over there you will be asked to take out your cigar stash, They will place your cigar on a scale to get the weight and calculate the amount you need to pay based on $352/kg. They will also ask if you a invoice/receipt for it as they will also want to charge you 7%GST. You can tell them that you dont have the receipt and they are just worth X amount of value.

Thats one of the reasons, cigars are expensive in SG.

p.s I hope your 45-50sticks are petite coronas.

[SokaKiel]

Thanks alot Frito!

Lucky me I'm stil at home and haven't packed my travel humidor yet! I think I'll only pack up 15-20 sticks and that's it! Have to check their pricing beforehand!

Cheers, Leif

[Chelsea8]

SokaKiel, you didn't hear this from me, but many just walk nonchalantly through the green lane, without being stopped. The few who are stopped get diverted to customs to pay the duty. Those who refuse to pay the duty, just dump their stuff (usually cigerettes) at customs.

Tourists or non-citizens usually express some form of surprise and indignation that there is no duty-free allowance for tobacco. Customs officers normally apologise and insist that it is just their job to enforce the rules and collect duty, where appropriate.

Just an observation and like I said, you didn't hear it from me.

Good luck!

[Chelsea8]

SokaKiel,

my fellow BOTL and I would be having a drink and smoke at Connoisseur Divan, UE Square, opposite Robertson Quay, on friday 22nd Feb, starting from 8pm. If you would like to join-up, you are welcome. They have a good range of single-malts (amongst other drinks) and as part of Pacific Cigars, they also have a fairly extensive range of cuban cigars.

[SokaKiel]

Hi Chelsea8,

thanks for the information and for the invitation! I really appreciate the invite!

Unfortunately I won't be in SIngapore before the 8th March but it looks like I'll be staying until the end of March! The Divan is on the Top of my Singapore Cigar to do list! Maybe you're around in March and we can arrange to catch up for a smoke and drink then?

I have to be careful with Customs, I'll be traveling to Singapore for a new Job, therefore I want to prevent any trouble with local authorities! Would look pretty stupid if the person who will be picking me up from the airport has to wait for me because I'm busy explaining myself to customs!

Would be great to catch up in March, I'll keep you posted!

cheers, Leif

[Chelsea8]

Hi Chelsea8,

thanks for the information and for the invitation! I really appreciate the invite!

Unfortunately I won't be in SIngapore before the 8th March but it looks like I'll be staying until the end of March! The Divan is on the Top of my Singapore Cigar to do list! Maybe you're around in March and we can arrange to catch up for a smoke and drink then?

I have to be careful with Customs, I'll be traveling to Singapore for a new Job, therefore I want to prevent any trouble with local authorities! Would look pretty stupid if the person who will be picking me up from the airport has to wait for me because I'm busy explaining myself to customs!

Would be great to catch up in March, I'll keep you posted!

cheers, Leif

No worries. In fact, I have to postpone my 22nd Feb appointment now. PM me when you are available. Might go to another place that has an all you can drink single-malt plus cheese platter, cold cuts buffet on fridays, from 6pm to 9pm, for SG$59++

[frito]

No worries. In fact, I have to postpone my 22nd Feb appointment now. PM me when you are available. Might go to another place that has an all you can drink single-malt plus cheese platter, cold cuts buffet on fridays, from 6pm to 9pm, for SG$59++

Hey Chelsea, have you found the place yet?

[Chelsea8]

Frito, are you referring to the SG$59++ place? It is a Movenpick Sentosa hotel. The good thing is that they have kept the every Friday buffet and they have adjusted the timing to 7pm to 10pm; better than the previous 6-9.

[frito]

Frito, are you referring to the SG$59++ place? It is a Movenpick Sentosa hotel. The good thing is that they have kept the every Friday buffet and they have adjusted the timing to 7pm to 10pm; better than the previous 6-9.

isit at world of whisky ?

[Chelsea8]

Yes, they call themselves WOW for short.

[CdnLimitada]

Chelsea8 are you in Singapore?

[Chelsea8]

CdnLimitada, yes I am in Singapore. Going to a new bar, Tiong Bahru Bar, May 9, which has freeflow of Glenlivet between 6 to 8pm. Have not been there before, so don't know if they allow smoking, but photos from their website seems to show a smoking area.