Goods and Services Tax
Understand how Goods and Services Tax is calculated on imported goods in Singapore, including examples for dutiable and non-dutiable goods.
All goods imported into Singapore are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the prevailing rate. It is calculated based on:
The customs value of the goods, plus all duties, or
The last selling price (LSP), plus all duties, if the goods were sold more than once before import and the last buyer is the party declaring the payment permit.
Examples of How GST Is Calculated
Non-dutiable goods
GST payable = prevailing GST rate × (customs value or LSP)
Example: VitaminsCompany A buys 100 boxes of vitamins for S$900 (FOB incoterms)
Overseas freight, handling and insurance: S$100
Company A sells the vitamins to Company B before they arrive in Singapore for S$1,500
Because Company B is the final buyer before importation:
GST payable = prevailing GST rate × S$1,500
Dutiable goods
GST payable = prevailing GST rate × (customs value or LSP + duties payable)
Example: Motor carCompany B purchased the vehicle at: S$100,000 (FOB incoterms)
Overseas freight, handling and insurance: S$1,000
Customs value: S$101,000
Excise duty rate for motor cars: 20% of customs value
Duties payable = S$101,000 × 20% = S$20,200
GST payable = prevailing GST rate × (S$101,000 + S$20,200)
