Shipping One Of These Items Can Get You Fined In Singapore
Singapore is a nation known for its urban-chic lifestyle and biophilic infrastructure; it has the perfect mix of modernity with culture. It’s also particularly known for some notorious rules that may seem fake but are actually true.
For instance, it’s legally forbidden to fly a kite in public spaces or to fly it higher than 200 feet. If you plan to move this metropolitan haven soon and seek movers in Singapore, certain items can get you fined. Yes, including the ones that seem perfectly safe.
Read on to learn what you can and cannot move; this guide will help you decide what you can move with SG movers and what you must avoid.
Chewing Gums Are A Big No
Jaywalking, littering and taking pictures in the MRT are banned in Singapore, and you can face a fine for the same. Seems ridiculous, but these are true. Similarly, chewing gum is not allowed in the country; it’s not that you can’t entirely find it.
But chewing gum and then spitting it carelessly is prohibited. Consequently, you cannot bring or even ship it in your luggage. Except for approved health or dental gum, importing standard chewing gum is illegal and risks heavy fines.
Curated Artwork and Antiquities
If you have a precious family heirloom or a valuable collection of artworks that you’ve compiled over the years. You might not be able to bring it to the country. While legal to own, failing to provide proper valuation or heritage certificates can lead to structural customs delays and fines.
So, avoid trying to save on export duties and other taxes on shipping when you move such items. Instead, get valuation done and pay all the export duties so that your consignment doesn’t get held up at the port.
Threatened Species Products
Items made from endangered wildlife, like ivory or specific furs, face aggressive border fines. Importing illegal wildlife items to Singapore triggers fines and punishment, with immediate confiscation at arrival.
The rules extend to food, banning expensive spices or dry food products made from unique or scarcely available plants. So, consult about the same with a moving advisor provided by the movers in Singapore that you book for shipping your goods.
Branded Consumer Goods (Personal Quantities)
Moving to a new place can often feel sad and tiring, but it’s mostly due to the fear of the unknown. Also, you may feel unsettled due to the loss of a familiar environment. But you also get the time to relearn and re-establish those habits/routines.
So, when you move, you will have to re-learn the same habits and create a new routine that’s almost like an upgrade of your previous one. This can also help you start on new positive habits, which can distract you from relocation blues.
E-Cigs and Smokeless Tobacco
This one is a straight-up crime in Singapore; you can get detained or worse, jailed for shipping E-cigs here. Read the regulations and norms carefully before visiting or moving to the island. The strict ban includes and can fully extend to chewing tobacco, shisha or nasal snuffs.
If you are a foreign national in a country, it’s better to avoid running into the law. So ensure that you do not resort to using or possessing these when you move here. Also, refer to your move consultant for more legal information.
Diagnostic Medical Kits
Standard health kits can trigger import flags if they contain restricted chemicals or unapproved electronic components. A medication ban is enforced internationally due to strict local substance control laws.
Therefore, unless you are on a strict medication prescribed by a certified professional, you cannot carry medical kits in your consignment. Seek reliable SG movers that can inform you about importing the essential ones. But some meds need early approval from the HSA (Health Sciences Authority) in Singapore.
FAQs
What cannot be imported into Singapore?
All illegal substances, weapons/firearms, counterfeit goods, chewing gum, etc. are banned in Singapore.
How to pack for moving house in Singapore?
Hire a full move service when moving internationally, so that the movers can itemise and pack your goods for a quick clearance on arrival.
What medicines are not allowed in Singapore?
Medicines that contain strong narcotics (such as morphine and fentanyl) or psychotropic drugs (such as diazepam) or some stimulants need pre-approval by the “Health Sciences Authority”.
How to identify fake packers and movers?
Moving with rogue movers can get you fined, so ensure the company you hire has proper licensing and has experience in international moves.
What is the cheapest month to move?
In Singapore, August to November is the off-peak move season for moving, so prices are generally low.
Takeaways
Therefore, when packing to move, hire reliable local movers in Singapore who can help you evade all these fines. Besides, you’d have to plan an international move at least three months in advance, so do your research on what’s allowed and what’s banned.
Moving is already a daunting task, and you wouldn’t want to add to it, so plan effectively and prepare meticulously. The country you are moving to will definitely have different cultures and norms, so it’s helpful to abide by them if you plan to settle there.
