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Singapore Customs

How to Lodge Security

Learn how to lodge an eGuarantee with Singapore Customs, including how to apply, extend or discharge guarantees through the eGuarantee@Gov programme.

Last updated 25 February 2026

On this page

New Applications
Extending Existing Guarantees
Discharging Guarantees

You can lodge a guarantee in the form of a Banker’s Guarantee, Finance Company Guarantee or Insurance Bond.

Singapore Customs strongly encourages all applicants to use the eGuarantee@Gov programme. It offers faster processing and removes the need to collect and submit hardcopy guarantees.

Why use eGuarantee@Gov?

When you lodge your guarantee electronically:

  • You do not need to collect hardcopy documents from the bank.

  • The financial institution sends the guarantee directly to Singapore Customs.

  • You save time and avoid courier or transport costs.

From 1 October 2023, Singapore Customs no longer accepts hardcopy guarantees. All securities must be submitted as eGuarantees. Refer to Circular No. 17/2023 for details.

New Applications

How to Apply for an eGuarantee

The required template, GOV_UT, is available on the eGuarantee@Gov website.

To apply:

  1. Approach any participating financial institution listed on eGuarantee@Gov.

  2. Provide the information below according to the guarantee template.

Information required for the eGuarantee

Fields required when submitting an eGuarantee under the GOV_UT template

Field Name

Value / Description

Guarantee Template Reference Code

Indicate [GOV_UT]

Case Reference no.

Leave this field blank

Beneficiary Name

Indicate [Customs]

Applicant Name

Indicate your entity's official business name registered with ACRA

Applicant reference no.

Indicate your Entity’s UEN (E.g. 198812345A)

Currency code

Indicate [SGD]

Guarantee Sum

Numerical value of the security lodged (E.g. 10000.00)

Guarantee Effective Date

Start date (DD/MM/YYYY) (E.g. 16/12/2023)

Guarantee Expiry Date

End date (DD/MM/YYYY) (E.g. 31/03/2025) – Note: Please lodge for a minimum period of 15 months.

Once the eGuarantee has been successfully registered, email notifications will be sent to your entity’s primary and secondary contacts registered in your Customs Account.

Processing Time

Singapore Customs will register the security within 3 working days upon receipt. Email notifications will be sent to the primary contact (or the secondary contact if transmission to the primary contact fails).

Extending Existing Guarantees

To extend an existing guarantee lodged with Singapore Customs:

  1. Quote your existing Bank Guarantee reference number.

  2. Provide the new expiry date.

  3. Inform your bank that the extension is to be issued under the eGuarantee@Gov programme, using the template reference GOV_UT.

Once the extended eGuarantee is registered, email notifications will be sent to your entity’s primary and secondary contacts registered in your Customs Account.

Important notes:

  • This process applies only when extending the expiry date.

  • If you need to change the guarantee amount, you must apply for a new guarantee.

  • If you had previously applied for a hardcopy guarantee and wish to extend the validity, you will have to extend it as a hardcopy guarantee. You will NOT be able to extend it via the eGuarantee@Gov programme.

Discharging Guarantees

If you wish to discharge your eGuarantee early:

  1. Submit a request through the Customs Documentation Enquiry Form.

  2. Singapore Customs will check if there are any outstanding matters.

  3. Once confirmed, we will notify both you and the financial institution that the guarantee has been discharged.