I put this page together when I became aware of the difficulties folks were having entering Singapore. Singapore had setup some procedures that unless understood before hand can be annoying or indeed costly if your timing is tight.
A few phone calls with the Land Transport Authority and the Automobile Association of Singapore were sufficient to get all the answers. They both had to call me back as my list of questions was quite extensive but both did and were courtious and efficient.
The LTA were helpful enough to fax me their procedure - it is reproduced below. Happily I have since noted that the LTA revamped their pages and now provide a lot more information for foreign registered car travel.
The other thing to mention is that the below procedures are the worst case scenario - dependant on the country of your car's registration the requirements may change. There are three groups of countries:
1. Malaysian
2. Other Asean
3. Other countries
1. Malaysian
Malaysian vehicles need not provide any Carnet or Guarantee for Customs entry. Nor is their any requirment for the ICP or insurance. Malaysian insurance covers by default the Republic of Singapore (NB Malaysian insurers only provide this for Malaysian registered vehicles).Malaysian vehicles must still pay autopass charges and ERP. Malaysian drivers licenses are acceptable also.
2. Other Asean
This refers in the main to Thai registered vehicles but also counts for Asean member countries and as there seem to be different levels of Asean membership, you are encouraged to check beforehand. Asean members are also exempt from the ICP and CPD guarantee requirements but must buy insurance coverage. This can be done at the border LTA office. Vehicles from Left Hand Drive countries will be required to have an nearside mirror and must affix a "CAUTION LEFT HAND DRIVE" label to the rear of the vehicle. Further details on this matter are still being confirmed as dependant on who you talk to left hand drive either isnt or is permitted. These country's drivers licenses are acceptable for use also in Singapore.
Note : Malaysian authorities I noticed have required vehicles from countries with non roman script (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos) to affix a translation of the plate to the front and rear of the car - I understand this requirement is for commercial vehicles. I am not aware of this requirement in Singapore.
3. Other Countries
For other countries the procedures are as listed below.
TEMPORARY IMPORTATION AND LICENSING OF FOREIGN-REGISTERED VEHICLE IN SINGAPORE BY NON-RESIDENTS/TOURISTS FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING THREE MONTHS
Tourists or social visitors, not being citizen permanent reside, resident or resident of Singapore, who Singapore, temporarily may irnport their foreign-registered vehicles for use in Singapore not exceeding, three months. The procedure for temporary importation and licensing of foreign-registered vehicles (not for registration in Singapore.) is as follows:
Part I Importation
A) Alliance Internationale De Tourism (AIT) Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD)
1. A vehicle may be imported under the cover of a Alliance Internationale De Tourisme (AlT) Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) for use in Singapore temporarily under the guarantee of the Autornobile Association of Singapore (AAS). The CPD must be endorsed by AAS and produced to Singapore Customs & Excise, Department (CED)
for clearance at the Customs checkpoint when the vehicle enters and leaves Singapore..
2. Importation Via Sea
2.1 Inward
2.1.1 Upon arrival in Singapore, the- CPD holder must call at the AAS for inward endorsement on his CPD.
Documents to be produced are:
· AIT Carnet Document
· Passport of the CPD holder; and
· Vehicle Registration Card.
A fee of S$10.30 is payable to AAS for the inward endorsement. At the same time, the CPD holder can apply for an International Circulation Permit (ICP). (See details in Part II).
2.1.2 With the endorsed inward CFD and valid ICP, the CPD holder (motorist) then proceeds to bring the vehicle to the Customs at the entry point for clearance and endorsement.
2.2 Outward
2.2.1 Before the departure, the CPD holder must call at the AAS, with the vehicle's Bill of Lading as proof of exportation, for outward endorsement, A fee of S$10.30 is charged by AAS for the outward endorsement.
2.2.2 With the endorsed outward CPD and valid ICP, the CPD holder then proceeds to bring the vehicle to Customs at the exit point for clearance and endorsement.
3. Importation. Via Land
3.1 Inward - while the vehicle is outside Singapore
3.1.1 Before arriving at the land entry points (Changi Ferry Terminal, Woodlands or Tuas Checkpoint) in Singapore, the CPD holder must call at the AAS for inward endorsement on his CPD. Documents to be produced are:
· AIT Carnet document;
· Passport of CPD holder; and
· Vehicle registration card.
A fee of S$10.30 is payable for AAS for the inward endorsement. At the same time, the CPD holder can apply for an International Circulation Permit (ICP) in order to use the vehicle on Singapore roads, (See details in Part II).
3.1.2 With the endorsed inward CPD and valid ICP, the CPD holder (motorist) then proceeds to bring the vehicle to the Customs at the entry point for clearance and endorsement.
3.1.3 The CPD holder (motorist) has to purchase an Autopass Card if he intends to leave by land exit points with effect from 1 April 2000. The charge is $30 per day except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
3.2 Outward - while the vehicle is in Singapore
3.2.1 Before the departure, the CPD holder must call at the AAS for outward endorsement. A fee of S$10.30 is charged by AAS for the outward endorsement on his CPD.
3.2.2 With the endorsed outward CPD and valid ICP, the CPD holder (motorist) then proceeds to bring the vehicle to Customs at the exit point for clearance and endorsement,
3.2.3 The CPD holder (motorist) must top-up his Autopass Card and ensure he has sufficient value to pay for the fee as mentioned in 3.1.3.
B) Carnet De Passages En Douane for Temporary Admission (ATA)
4. A vehicle may be imported under the cover of a ATA-Carnet De Passages En Douane (CPD) for temporary admission used in Singapore under the guarantee of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. This document is acceptable by both CED and Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the purpose of importation and licensing (See Part II -Paragraph. 4(c) below).
C) Temporary Importation Scheme of the Singapore Customs and Excise Department
5. The Singapore Customs & Excise Department (CED) allows the foreign-registered vehicles to be imported into Singapore for a temporary period of not more than three months under the Customs Duties (Exemption) Order and Goods and Services Tax (GST) Imports Relief Order. A local declaring agent registered with Customs is required to declare a Customs import permit electronically through the TradeNet System. The importer or appointed agent is required to lodge a bank guarantee equivalent to 100% of the potential Customs duty and GST with Customs. The approved permit and the vehicle must be produced to Customs at the entry point for clearance and endorsement. At the time of re-export, a Customs export permit must be produced with the vehicle to Customs at the exit point for clearance and endorsement. The bank guarantee will be returned upon the export of the vehicle. In the event of the disposal of the vehicle in Singapore, both the Customs duty and GST shall be payable based on its value at the time of importation. For further details, the motorist can contact the Customs Service Centre at Telephone number 065-3552000 (See Part 11 - Paragraph 4 (c) below).
Part ll - Licensing of foreign-registered vehicles
1. The motorist can apply for an International Circulation Permit (ICP) or a visitor's licence, under the Road Traffic (International Circulation) Rules and the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicle, Registration and Licensing) Rules respectively, if the period of stay is not more than 90 days. In such case, the following rules are applicable,
International Circulation Permit issued by Automobile Association of Singapore
2. The motorist must first obtain an Alliance Internationale De Tourisme Carnet de Passages en Douane (AIT-CPD) for his vehicle before leaving the country that the vehicle is registered. This AIT-CPD must be endorsed and guaranteed by Automobile Association of Singapore before it is acceptable by CED, (See details in Part 1 A).
3. An International Circulation Permit will be issued free-of-charge, by the Automobile Association of Singapore (AAS), 336 River Valley Road, #03-00 AA Centre, Singapore 238366, for a maximum of 90 days upon submission of the Certificate of Insurance covering the period of stay in Singapore. The minimum coverage is Third Party Risks, The vehicle be sold in Singapore but must be re--exported on the expiry of the International Circulation Permit. For further details, the CPD holder can contact AAS, Customer Services Department at telephone number 065- 831-2100.
Visitor's Licence (VL) issued by The Land Transport Authority
4, The motorist must apply for a Visitor's Licence at Counter 29, 4th storey, Land Transport Authority (LTA), 10 Sin Ming Drive, Singapore 575701, during office hours, with the following documents:
a) An application form (obtainable at LTA);
b) The original vehicle registration documents from the country that the vehicle is registered; (If it is in a language other than English, an English translation is required);
c) Certificate of Insurance issued by a Singapore-based Insurance Company to cover the whole period of stay in Singapore;
d) Passport of the owner who holds a valid temporary visit pass issued by Singapore Immigration And Registration; and
e) A hard copy of the approved import permit issued by CED under their TradeNet System or ATA-CPD. (See details in Part 1 - C and Part 1 - B respectively)
5. The fees payable are as follows:
(a) Not exceeding 30 days $7.50
(b) Exceeding 30 days but not exceeding 60 days. $16.00
(c) Exceeding 60 days but not exceeding 90 days: $22.50
6. The motorist is required to inform the LTA of change of address during his/her stay in Singapore within 48 hours.
7. The motorist must inform the LTA of the date of exportation and produce a copy of the CED's outward permit to support that the vehicle has indeed exported.
For further details, the motorist can contact the Customer Service Sub-division of Vehicle & Transit Licensing Division at telephone 065-5535226.
Please note that the information is accurate at the time or printing. Please confirm with the relevant departments
telephone numbers listed in this guideline for any subsequent changes.
Are there charges for bringing in a foreign vehicle?
The only charge is for the stamping for the inward and later the outward endorsement of the Carnet.
The AA will charge you 10.30 SGD each turn for this (so 20.60 SGD round trip!).
How long can I stay for?
The limit is 90 days
Can I get comprehensive insurance for my foreign car in Singapore?
It doesn't look like it. Still checking but thus far third party only is on offer.
Can I bring in a Caravan or trailer into Singapore
Only if you are heading directly for the port - ie to export the Caravan and then it is advisable to get permission in advance. Otherwise no. Singapore has some pretty strange laws on towing. Basically it is illegal. You may not tow anything. Infact its illegal to have a towbar affixed to your car (unless it was original specification - ie as the car was delivered by the manufacturer). This all harks back to a dark incident in Singapore's past when a family was killed in a towing accident.
Refer to the list of prohibitied vehicles on the previous page.
Do I need an In Car unit for my Car?
Only if you intend to use tolled roads frequently and for frequent visits.
These units can be hired for the duration of your stay and will accept your autopass card. Refer to the LTA website for details but the LTA now offers a fixed fee no unit service for foreign cars which is a far simpler process [refer previous page for details]
What is an Autopass card for? Why do I need to get one?
Tolls in Singapore (be it for ERP or border entry/exit) cannot be paid for by cash. Payments must be made using a cashcard - or in the case of foreign vehicles - your autopass card. You can charge them up (ie "top-up") at any ATM. These are also useful for carparks as many private carparks in town now use a cashcard payment system. Refer to the LTA website for details
What is ERP?
ERP stands for Electronic Road Pricing - it is designed to regulate traffic flow in high volume areas using a Electronic toll charging system of gantries.
What Drivers Licence do I need?
Asean drivers may use their own licences. Other countries are encouraged to get an International Drivers Licence. The key rule of thumb is if your licence is not in English get an IDL.
Do I need a Carnet for my Car to enter Singapore?
Refer above - But basically;No if your car is registered in an Asean Country, Yes if it is not.
My Car is Left Hand Drive - is there anything additional I must do?
Yes - Contact the Singapore Traffic police (or use their website) for details. Basically you will be required to have two things;
i. A "Caution - Left Hand Drive" Label at the rear of the vehicle
ii. An nearside rear vision mirror
NB: officially Singapore is currently not permitting LHD cars from entering but this is not strictly true and many exceptions have been noticed - enquire early!
