With effect from 13 May 2024, all travellers entering or leaving Singapore and carrying more than S$20,000 in total value of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), must submit the necessary CBNI declarations electronically. The current paper-based CBNI declaration will be discontinued on the same day.
CBNI declarations aid Singapore’s efforts to combat criminal activity such as money laundering. Such requirements are common in many countries. Currently the CBNI declaration is done manually via hardcopy. To make such declarations simpler and more convenient, we will be moving such declarations online. The electronic CBNI declaration will be made available from 10 May 2024 for travellers who are due to arrive in or depart from Singapore on or after 13 May 2024. Travellers must complete their CBNI declaration before reaching Singapore’s checkpoints. With this move to electronic declarations, travellers no longer need to submit hardcopies.
Travellers can access this new electronic submission function by:
- Downloading the MyICA mobile application and selecting “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration”; or
- Submitting the declaration via ICA’s website at https://go.gov.sg/cbnideclaration.
For travellers arriving in Singapore, they can select “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration” under “Other Declarations”, after they have successfully submitted the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) on either the MyICA mobile application or ICA’s website.
Upon the successful submission of the electronic CBNI declaration, travellers will receive an acknowledgement email which can be provided as proof of declaration to ICA officers when required at the air, land and sea checkpoints.
All travellers who carry more than S$20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) worth of CBNI can submit the CBNI declaration up to three days prior to arrival in/departure from Singapore. If there are changes to the amounts and/or foreign currencies they are carrying before arriving in/departing from Singapore after they have made the initial submission, they must void the existing declaration and re-submit a fresh one.
For more information, please refer to the Annex for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Annex
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 : When do I have to submit a CBNI declaration as a traveller?
A1 : If you are entering or leaving Singapore and carrying a total value of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNI) exceeding S$20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency), you are required by Law to submit a CBNI declaration.
From 13 May 2024 onwards, submission of this declaration will be done electronically. Hardcopy declarations will be discontinued from the same day.
Q2 : What is physical currency?
A2 : Physical currency refers to the coin and printed money (whether of Singapore or of a foreign country / region) that is designated and circulates as legal tender, and is customarily used and accepted as, a medium of exchange in the country / region of issue.
Q3 : What is a bearer negotiable instrument?
A3 : Bearer Negotiable Instrument (BNI) means:
- A traveller's cheque; or
- Any negotiable instrument that is in bearer form, indorsed without any restriction, made out to a fictitious payee or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery, and includes a negotiable instrument that has been signed but with the payee's name omitted.
A negotiable instrument refers to an instrument (such as a bill of exchange, cheque or promissory note) representing a sum of money the title to which can be freely transferred between parties.
Examples of negotiable instruments are bills of exchange, cheques or promissory notes, bearer bonds, money orders and postal orders.
Q4 : What are the benefits of submitting my CBNI declaration electronically?
A4 : You will be able to submit your CBNI declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival or departure from Singapore at your own convenience. You will also no longer need to submit a hardcopy declaration.
Q5 : Do I need an internet connection to submit my CBNI declaration online?
A5 : Yes, you will require an internet connection to submit your electronic CBNI declaration. Upon a successful submission of the electronic CBNI declaration, travellers will receive an acknowledgement email which can be provided as proof of declaration to ICA officers when required at the air, land and sea checkpoints.
Q6 : What kind of information do I need to provide in my CBNI declaration?
A6 : The information required includes: the particulars of the person carrying the CBNI; the country/region that the CBNI is being moved from or being moved to; the purpose of the movement of CBNI; the type(s) and amount of CBNI; and the source(s) and/or recipient(s) of the CBNI (where relevant).
Q7 : I made a mistake in the CBNI declaration that I submitted online. What should I do?
A7 : If you made a mistake in your CBNI declaration, you must void it and submit a new one. You may void your electronic CBNI Declaration (Traveller) via:
- ICA’s website at https://go.gov.sg/cbnideclaration;
- MyICA Mobile Application using the “Retrieve/Void Cash (CBNI) Declaration” icon.
Q8 : I submitted a CBNI declaration but have since changed my travel plans. What should I do?
A8 : If your travel plans have changed such that the CBNI declaration submitted is no longer accurate, you must void it. If you are still intending to enter or leave Singapore and will be carrying more than S$20,000 in CBNI but on a different trip, please submit a new CBNI declaration.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 April 2024 @ 5:00 PM