🇸🇬 Singapore vs 🇦🇺 Australia
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | Singapore Customs | Australian Border Force (ABF) |
| VAT / GST | 9% | 10% |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 370 | USD 680 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 20000 | USD 7600 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 3 | 2.25 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 0 | 25 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 370 | USD 680 |
| Prohibited categories | Chewing gum (non-therapeutic) — import for personal consumption banned; Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances; Obscene publications and pornographic materials; Seditious materials; Counterfeit goods and currency | Illicit drugs and psychotropic substances; Weapons (automatic/semi-automatic firearms, prohibited weapons); Pornographic material involving minors; Products from endangered species without CITES permits; Steroids and human growth hormone without prescription |
| Restricted categories | Firearms and weapons (requires Firearms Act licence); Controlled drugs (prescription required; Misuse of Drugs Act); Tobacco products (all dutiable; no concession); Chewing gum (dental/therapeutic gum by prescription only); Certain telecommunications equipment (IMDA approval needed) | Food (all food items must be declared; many require biosecurity permits); Plants and plant materials (must be declared; import conditions apply); Animals and animal products (biosecurity conditions apply); Certain medications and therapeutic goods (TGA approval required); Firearms and weapons (import licence required) |
| Known scams | Fake SG Arrival Card sites that charge a fee. The official ICA card is free. • Phishing 'Singapore Customs duty owed' SMS messages with payment links. Singapore Customs sends notifications via SingPass / official channels only. | Fake ETA / eVisitor websites charging service fees on top of (or instead of) the official A$20 charge. Apply only via immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. • 'Border Force fine' SMS demanding immediate payment for an undeclared item. ABF does not issue fines by SMS link. |
Detailed pages: Singapore • Australia
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