The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (Customs) concluded a second joint-enforcement operation at Singapore Changi Airport Terminals 1 and 3 on 15 December 2021. The first such operation was conducted on 26 November 2021.
Each of the 7-hour operations saw enhanced checks targeting in-bound travellers at the Arrival Halls of the two airport terminals and resulted in the following successful detections over the two days:
- A 46-year-old male foreigner was found in possession of Singapore and foreign currencies with a total value of S$31,023, which movement of cash into Singapore was not reported;
- A 57-year-old male foreigner was found in possession of Singapore and foreign currencies with a total value of S$25,000, which movement of cash into Singapore was not reported; and
- Twenty-one other travellers were found with Customs offence of failure to declare and pay taxes on (i) dutiable cigarettes/tobacco products, (ii) liquors in excess of their duty-free allowance and (iii) new articles, souvenirs, gifts and food items exceeding their Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief allowance.
CAD oversees the Cross Border Cash Reporting Regime’s(CBCRR) efforts to curb money laundering, terrorist financing, and other criminal activities. The public is reminded that it is a statutory requirement to declare the physical movement of any Currency or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) into or out of Singapore if the total value exceeds S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency). Whilst reporting is free, failure to report on the movement of CBNIs exceeding the prescribed amount is an offence punishable under Section 48C(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A (CDSA). Offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years or to both. More information on Cash Transaction Reporting can be found on SPF’s website (www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Crime/Commercial-Crimes/Suspicious-Transaction-Reporting-Office).
Under the Customs Act, any person who is in any way concerned in any fraudulent evasion of, or attempt to fraudulently evade, any customs duty or excise duty shall be guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded. It is the responsibility of arriving travellers to make accurate and complete declaration of the dutiable and taxable items in their possession. Travellers or returning Singaporeans are encouraged to make an advance declaration and payment for their dutiable or GST goods up to three days prior to their arrival in Singapore, using the Customs@SG Web Application available on Singapore Customs website.
Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks and work with relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling attempts so as to keep Singapore safe.
SPF, ICA, and Customs will be conducting more joint operations with the easing of travel restrictions at our borders. All travellers are reminded that the authorities will not tolerate any illegal activities as we strive to safeguard our land, air and sea borders against crime and security threats, including smuggling activities and non-compliance with our regulations.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 December 2021 @ 10:35 AM