Skip to main content

Government officials will never ask for money or bank details via phone call, text message or email.

Only trust SMSes from gov.sg SMS Sender ID. Unsure? Call ScamShield 1799 or visit the ScamShield website.

Singapore Customs

Controlled and Prohibited Goods for Imports

Understand the requirements for importing controlled goods and goods prohibited from importing to Singapore.

Last updated 24 February 2026

On this page

Controlled Goods
Prohibited Goods
Infographic explaining controlled and prohibited goods in Singapore, including import approvals, UNSC sanctions, permit requirements, and clearance procedures.

Download the full version of the infographics [PDF, 3.00 MB] to view the linked resources.

Controlled Goods

Controlled goods require proper authorisation (advance notification, licence or certificate approval) from Competent Authorities (CA) before they may be imported to Singapore. You are advised to check if the goods are controlled using the description of the goods, Harmonised System (HS) code or CA product code via the HS/CA Product Code Checker. If the item is subject to control, you may check directly with the respective CAs on their licensing requirements. You may download the list of CAs' contact information via the HS/CA Product Code Checker.

Prohibited Goods

The goods listed below cannot be imported into Singapore.

Prohibited Goods

Competent Authority

Chewing gum (excluding Health Sciences Authority approved oral dental and medicinal chewing gum)

Singapore Customs

1. Rhinoceros horn (worked, unworked or prepared and the any part, power or waste of such horn)

2. Endangered species of wildlife and products derived from the body of such animals

National Parks Board

Telecommunication equipment
(Examples of prohibited telecommunication equipment)

1. Scanning receivers

2. Military communication equipment

3. Telephone voice changing equipment

4. Radio-communication equipment operating in frequency bands 880-915 MHz, 925-960 MHz, 1900-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz except cellular mobile phones or such other equipment approved by Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore

5. Radio-communication jamming devices operating in any frequency band

6. Obscene articles, publications and video tapes or discs

7. Seditious and treasonable materials

Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore

1. Chewing tobacco (loose leaf chewing tobacco, plug chewing tobacco, twist chewing tobacco, tobacco bits intended for chewing

2. Imitation tobacco products (electronic cigarettes, vaporisers) and components of imitation tobacco products

3. Shisha

4. Smokeless cigars, smokeless cigarillos or smokeless cigarettes

5. Dissolvable tobacco or nicotine

6. Any product containing nicotine or tobacco that may be used topically for application, by implant or injected into any parts of the body

7. Any solution or substance, of which tobacco or nicotine is a constituent, that is intended to be used with an electronic nicotine delivery system or vaporizers

8. Nasal snuff

9. Oral snuff

10. Gutkha, khaini and zarda

Tobacco Regulation Branch, Health Sciences Authority

Controlled drugs listed under 4th Schedule of Misuse of Drugs Regulation

Health Products Regulation Group, Health Sciences Authority

A comprehensive list of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions is available on the UNSC Sanctions Committees website.