Singapore Expats

I am based in the US and just receive my PEP IPA from MOM. I do not have employment yet in Singapore, but am decently far along in conversations with firms (or risk taking enough) to relocate to Singapore without an offer.

I intend to send some personal effects by sea which will require customs clearance. However, the customs forms ask for my employer in SIN, which I currently do not have.

Will my personal effects be allowed to go through without listing an employer? Or, do I need to wait until I gain employment to send the shipment?

Any people with overseas PEP IPA been through this situation? Seems like the PEP scheme is relatively new, perhaps prior EPEC holders?

I shipped a c.1/2 container of goods to SG without having an employer. I was ultimately on the EPEC/LTVP, but initially on standard SVPs for maybe the initial 2-3 months after arrival.

So as far as I can see the employer details might as well be marked 'TBA'. I expect that is what I did.

Thanks, JR8. Helpful.

One thing that confuses me though is the following. I received these requirements from my freight forwarder that pertain to shipments of HHG for foreigners.

- An in-principle approval of the employment/dependent pass (if available)
- A copy of the application (Form 8) for employment pass duly received by Immigration
- A letter of undertaking from your employer to Singapore Customs confirming your employment together with the undertaking from his employer to pay Customs the 7% GST involved in the event that the employment pass is not approved or that the employment is not been taken up. The letter should be addressed in company’s letterhead to:

The Permits Officer
Singapore Customs, Documentation Branch
55 Newton Road, 7th Storey, Revenue House, Singapore 307987

Item 3 suggests that someone (potentially me since I'm not employed yet) is on the hook for paying 7% GST if I don't gain employment in Singapore, and that we need some kind of permit.

Do you know anything about this?

Well you don't pay tax on the importation of your own household goods; I haven't on two moves into Singapore (or other countries). However I understand you do have to pay SG tax if you ship in your wine and/or cigar cellar. However you would have to be brave or foolish to put anything worth drinking or smoking into a container to ultra-bake under the sun for the few weeks in transit!


Following on from my previous, I had all my goods cleared and delivered while I was still on an SVP.

I suspect your FF is merely covering all bases, and pitching at it's majority customer base. I'd tell them your employer is TBA, and none of your goods are dutiable.

OK - Great thanks!

May I ask which freight forwarders? I'm currently researching options to send my personal goods to Singapore next month. Thanks in advance

If you're moving from the states, I highly suggest you take a read through the moving scam board.

Below is the link to the International Relocations thread:
http://www.movingscam.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3987

We got many different quotes but ended up working with Rainier Overseas. I think technically though in logistics lingo they do more than just FF.