Singapore Expats

Hi,

I have been offered a job in Singapore and plan to move there in the next few months. I know this should be the least of my worries, but for now it is the only question I am having trouble answering, so thought I'd turn to you guys. Thanks in advance.

I know that there is no personal allowance for cigarettes in Singapore. However, living in lebanon, they are very cheap, and my plan was to buy a few boxes to bring with me, and to declare them on entry.

First, is this allowed?
I see that tax is 7%, is this levied on their value in lebanon or the value in Singapore? How much does a packet of 20 cost in Singapore anyway?

If, for example, I brought five cartons. Each carton (200 cigs) costs me $10 in Lebanon. Will the 7% be charged on this? If so, how do I prove this is where they are from, as I have to transit through the UK first?


Sorry if this is over complicated, I guess I should be thinking of giving up anyway, but am too long in the tooth for that!

Cheers

I'm 60 and I quit smoking after 37 years of doing so 3 years ago. So you aren't too long in the tooth.

I know you can not bring in cigarettes here, only 2 packets I think.
Someone I know brought back 200 from Batam after being told by the shop keeper it was ok!! He then was stopped at customs in Singapore and was fined on the spot 2400 sing dollars and the carton was cut up in front of him!!
Best to give up !

Damn, that's serious, so you can't even just pay the tax!

How much do cigarettes cost in Singapore?

No he did not get asked to pay the tax only the fine!! He had no choice!!
I think they are over 10 dollars a packet, but not being a smoker, dont really know.

i think you are only allow 1 packet of 20s to take with you.

Cheers for the info, looks like I'll have to just take a load to the UK so I can afford to buy ciggies in Singapore!

Anything else i should be aware of at customs, stuff I'd consider 'normal' which they will take off me?

no porno.

ahem, will they search a hard drive?

possible.

jockney wrote:I know you can not bring in cigarettes here, only 2 packets I think.
Someone I know brought back 200 from Batam after being told by the shop keeper it was ok!! He then was stopped at customs in Singapore and was fined on the spot 2400 sing dollars and the carton was cut up in front of him!!
Best to give up !

Had this guy gone through the green channel?

Surely if you declare them you just have to pay the tax?

zimzum42 wrote:

jockney wrote:I know you can not bring in cigarettes here, only 2 packets I think.
Someone I know brought back 200 from Batam after being told by the shop keeper it was ok!! He then was stopped at customs in Singapore and was fined on the spot 2400 sing dollars and the carton was cut up in front of him!!
Best to give up !

Had this guy gone through the green channel?

Surely if you declare them you just have to pay the tax?

of course the shopkeeper in batam will say it is OK to bring them into singapore! otherwise who's gonna buy them!

there's good reason why singapore wont allow you to bring in 200 fags, and why they are so expensive locally. no doubt you know what are the reason...

durain wrote:
there's good reason why singapore wont allow you to bring in 200 fags, and why they are so expensive locally. no doubt you know what are the reason...

Because they didn't repeal 377A?

sundaymorningstaple wrote:
Because they didn't repeal 377A?

yeah!

zimzum42 wrote:Hi,

I have been offered a job in Singapore and plan to move there in the next few months. I know this should be the least of my worries, but for now it is the only question I am having trouble answering, so thought I'd turn to you guys. Thanks in advance.

I know that there is no personal allowance for cigarettes in Singapore. However, living in lebanon, they are very cheap, and my plan was to buy a few boxes to bring with me, and to declare them on entry.

First, is this allowed?
I see that tax is 7%, is this levied on their value in lebanon or the value in Singapore? How much does a packet of 20 cost in Singapore anyway?

If, for example, I brought five cartons. Each carton (200 cigs) costs me $10 in Lebanon. Will the 7% be charged on this? If so, how do I prove this is where they are from, as I have to transit through the UK first?


Sorry if this is over complicated, I guess I should be thinking of giving up anyway, but am too long in the tooth for that!

Cheers

You can bring as much as you wish, you just need to declare them at customs and pay excise duty "35.2 cents for every gram or part thereof of each stick of cigarette" whatever that will result in practice. Officially you are not allowed bring a single stick without paying the duties. In practice if you have a open box they might let it go.

I know that for some cuban cigars is it is worth bringing them in (from specific cheap taxfree) and paying the duty of $352.00 per kg, as they still remain cheaper then here.

H