Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

With the improved economy of Singapore, increasingly affluent consumers are more willing to spend. In addition, various new shopping malls such as VivoCity, Central and Ang Mo Kio Hub all stimulated the retail scene. Existing shopping malls such as Centrepoint, Tampines Mall and White Sands were also revamped, with new extensions built to accommodate more retailers in order to remain competitive. The influx of retailers to these new selling spaces further attracted consumers who increasingly visited them at weekends.

Market shares

The distribution sector in Singapore is similar to the western countries, with a domination of the large-scale distribution network which carries out the majority of retail sales. The high standard of living of the Singaporean and their taste for Western products attract a lot of foreign groups to this 640 km² territory.

Organizations in the retail sector

Singapore Retailers Association
The Association of Shopping Centers

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer

Main International economic cooperation

Singapore does not belong to any Customs Union.It is a member of the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

 

It is a member of the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations), AFTA and the ASEAN - China Free Trade Area.

It is a member of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting).

It is a member of the SEAT (Six East Asian Traders)

Singapore is a signatory to multilateral and bilateral agreements with many countries. Visit: IESinggapore.

Non tariff barriers

Import procedures in Singapore are very liberal. Most goods can enter the Singaporean territory without any restriction. Only a few products, such as chewing gum and weapons are banned. There is a license system required for about 6% of the total amount of imports and concerns fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, meat, animals, medicines, broadcasting products (automatic licenses) and also some sensitive products likely to represent a risk for health or the State (non automatic licenses). These licenses are generally issued by the International Enterprise Singapore. Some other institutions may be involved such as the Ministry of Health.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

Singapore is duty free except for products like automobiles, gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol. For more details, visit: Tariff Schedule

Customs classification

Singapore applies the Harmonized Customs System.

Import procedures

Firms importing goods into Singapore require making an inward declaration, in addition to having an import permit.

For details, visit: Import Procedure

Importing samples

Goods entering the country temporarily for repair, stage performance etc. can do so without payment of duty or GST. Using an ATA carnet, foreign companies/exhibitors can import products into the country. For details, visit: Customs Singapore

For further information

Singapore Customs
Ministry of Trade and Industry

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

Singapore has a well-developed and advanced transportation infrastructure.

The Port of Singapore , with 6 free-trade zones, is ranked second in the world in terms of container traffic. It is operated by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. It is also the world's busiest hub for transshipment traffic.

The airport of Singapore (international Changi airport) is considered as one of the best in the world. It is composed of two air terminals connected by monorail.

The road network consists of 8 highways. The objective of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), (under the Ministry of Communication and Information technology), is to promote ground transport for a better use of the city by developing public transport. The construction of 9 expressways and two highways (partially subterranean) of a total length of 155 km is in progress in the Eastern part of the island.

Ports

Port of Singapore

Airports

Changi Airport

Sea transport organizations

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Port of Singapore Authority

Air transport organizations

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

Road transport organizations

Land Transport Authority (LTA)
Public Transport Council (PTC)

Rail transport organizations

Land Transport Authority (LTA)

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate.

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

Manufacturing and services are the twin engines of the Singapore economy and account for 25% and 70% respectively of country's GDP. The electronics and the chemical sectors are the two leading sectors of the manufacturing industry, each contributing nearly 30% to the GDP.

To maintain its competitive position despite rising wages, the government seeks to promote higher value-added activities in the manufacturing and services sectors. It also has opened the financial services, telecommunications, and power generation and retailing sectors to foreign service providers and greater competition.

Business directories

Yellow pages Singapore
Asia Yellow Web
eGuide SG
Exporters.com.sg

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Singapore Manufacturers Federation (SMa)
Singapore Food Manufacturers Association (SFMA)
The Association of Electronic Industries in Singapore (AEIS)
Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (SAPI)
Singapore Precision Engineering & Tooling Association (SPETA)
Singapore Industrial Automation Association
Singapore Contractors Association Ltd. (SCAL)
Singapore Plastic Industry Association (SPIA)

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises

Enterprises federation

Singapore Business Federation

Standards

National standards organizations

Singapore Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING SG)

Integration in the international standards network

SPRING represents Singapore in regional and international standards activities. Singapore is a member of :

International Standard organization (ISO)

International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Sub-Committee on Standards & Conformance (SCSC)

ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards & Quality (ACCSQ)

Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Classification of standards

Visit: The Singapore Standardization Programme, operated by SPRING Singapore .

Online consultation of standards

Refer to ‘e-services' provided by SPRING Singapore .

Certification organizations

Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC)

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

The organisation responsible for the protection of intellectual property in Singapore is the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).

Regional organizations

APEC Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group

Association of South East Asian Nations -ASEAN

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property
Membership to the TRIPS agreement - Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)