Free Trade Zone Operator License

What is it?

A Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Operator Licence allows an approved company to administer, maintain or operate an FTZ.

How to Qualify?

To qualify for the licence, the company must:

• Have a valid Customs Account and Inter-Bank GIRO (IBG) Account with Singapore Customs

• Have good compliance records with Singapore Customs

• Able to carry out the key responsibilities of an FTZ Operator

How to Apply?

Step 1: Prepare these supporting documents:

• Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) BizFile Report

• Audited Financial Statements (FS) for the past three years

• Business Model

• A copy of layout plan of the proposed or existing Free Trade Zones (FTZ)

• List of all business partners involved in the administration, operation or maintenance of the FTZ

• Tenant master list

Step 2: Apply Online

(Note: Singapore Customs will contact you to follow up on your application upon receipt of the complete set of supporting documents)

Step 3: On-site assessment will be scheduled and conducted, upon receipt of relevant supporting documents.

Step 4: Receive your application outcome.

Licence Fee

An annual licence fee of $2,000 for the first licence, and $600 per additional licence. Each licence is only valid for the administration of the FTZ that the licence is tagged to.

Licence Validity

The FTZ Operator Licence is valid for 5 years upon issuance (i.e. the company will be subject to reviews and renewals once in 5 years).

During the renewal process, the company is required to submit the relevant supporting documents and undergo the on-site assessment again.

Key Responsibilities

General Responsibilities

• Administering, maintaining, or operating an FTZ

• Supporting or assisting Singapore Customs officers in performing any duty under the FTZ Act or other written law;

• Constructing or installing, and maintaining any structure, facility, or device in the FTZ to ensure the security and the proper and efficient functioning of the FTZ.

• Monitor the activities of any person within the FTZ to ensure that no activities in contravention of the FTZ Act or any other written law are carried out in the FTZ.

Physical Security Control

• Implementing systems and procedures and taking reasonable measures to monitor and ensure the security of the FTZ.

Management and Provision of Information

• Disseminating information in relation to the requirements that any person or activity must comply with in the FTZ

• Keeping and submitting any prescribed information and document as required by Singapore Customs

• Reporting suspicious goods that may have contravened any written law to Singapore Customs

Penalties for non-compliance

Companies may be penalised if they do not comply with Singapore Customs requirements or the FTZ Operator Licencing conditions.

For minor offences under the FTZ Act, Singapore Customs may compound the offences for a sum not exceeding S$5,000 per offence. Offenders may be prosecuted if the offences committed are of fraudulent or serious nature.

Further Information

If you require further assistance on the FTZ Operator Licence, you may refer to the FAQ or email customs_ftz@customs.gov.sg.