On 27 May 2025, the Singapore Customs (“Customs“) published two circulars (“Circulars“) on the claiming of preferential tariff treatment for:
- imports from the Pacific Alliance to Singapore under the Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (“PASFTA“); and
- goods exported from Singapore to the Pacific Alliance under the PASFTA.
The PASFTA is an agreement between Singapore and the Pacific Alliance member states comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. It entered into force on 3 May 2025 for Singapore, Chile and Peru, and will enter into force for the remaining Pacific Alliance member states of Colombia and Mexico upon the completion of their respective ratification procedures. It provides improved market access in terms of preferential tariff treatment for: (i) originating goods imported from Pacific Alliance members into Singapore; and (ii) exports of Singapore-originating goods to Pacific Alliance members. For more information on the PASFTA, please see our May 2025 Legal Update titled “PASFTA’s Entry into Force on 3 May 2025 Enhances Trade between Singapore and Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru)”.
The Circulars outline the procedures for claiming preferential tariff treatment for:
- Originating goods imported from Pacific Alliance members into Singapore, including:
- the preferential tariff rates for imports;
- the procedures for claiming preferential tariff treatment, including the use of a Certification of Origin (“CO“) issued by an exporter or producer from a country that is a party to the PASFTA;
- the relevant documentation procedures that apply, including in the following situations: (i) where the CO is available at the time of importation or when the goods are bonded in a licensed warehouse; (ii) where the CO is not available at the time of importation; and (iii) where a waiver of the CO requirement is applicable;
- the required mode of submission of documents in order to claim preferential tariff treatment;
- the applicable period for retention of documents, being not less than five years after the date of the importation of the good in question; and
- a list of clarifications and frequently asked questions (“FAQs“).
- Exports of Singapore-originating goods to Pacific Alliance members, including:
- the Rules of Origin (“ROO“) that must be complied with for such exports to qualify for preferential tariff treatment;
- the ROO that must be complied with for originating goods which are not wholly obtained or produced in Singapore;
- the relevant rules of accumulation;
- the relevant documentation procedures that apply;
- the applicable period for retention of documents, being at least five years after the date of the importation of the good in question into the country in which preferential treatment is being claimed; and
- a list of clarifications and FAQs.
For more information, please refer to the relevant Circulars available on the Customs website at www.customs.gov.sg or contact our Team members set out on this page.
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