The Regulation of Imports and Exports (Amendment) Bill (“Amendment Bill“) was introduced for First Reading on 14 October 2025. It had its Second Reading and was passed in Parliament on 6 November 2025.
Once in force, the Amendment Bill will amend the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995 to create a comprehensive framework to regulate the issuing of trade information certificates and to strengthen Customs’ operational effectiveness in the investigation of offences.
Key amendments include:
- Providing a regulatory framework for trade information certificates
- Creation of a framework to regulate the issuance of trade information certificates by authorised certificate issuers (“ACIs”). Trade information certificates are documents that certify key facts about goods. Examples of trade information certificates include: (i) Certificates of Origin to certify the origin of the goods being exported; (ii) Certificates of Non-Manipulation to certify that the goods have not undergone any manipulation during transit through Singapore; and (iii) Certificates of Free Sale to certify that the goods are sold freely within Singapore’s market. Customs may impose and modify any condition in granting the authorisation of an ACI. Customs may also cancel or suspend the authorisation of an ACI in cases of non-compliance with relevant conditions or regulations. Existing ACIs of Certificates of Origin will retain their authorisation following the entry into force of the Amendment Bill, without the need for a new application.
- Introduction of offences for false or misleading certificates, tampering, misrepresentation and unauthorised issuing of certificates. Further, a new offence provision requires a manufacturer or exporter who issues a preferential Certificate of Origin to maintain proper and accurate records of issuance. Such records include copies of the documents that were relied upon for the issuance of the preferential Certificate of Origin, such as the commercial invoice, packing list, delivery note or bill of lading. The records must be maintained for the period that is specified in the preferential tariff arrangement or agreement.
- Enhancement of the appeals framework to the Minister against a decision of the Director-General. The amendments will allow the Minister to delegate the hearing of appeals to a Second Minister, Minster of State or Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
- Improving Customs’ operational effectiveness in the investigation of offences
- Expanded scope for granting a search warrant. Currently, under the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act, Customs can apply to a Magistrate for a search warrant to enter premises to investigate offences. To do so, Customs is required to reasonably prove that the premises contain goods relevant to the investigation. The amendments allow for the grant of a search warrant where, whilst the goods may no longer be at the premises, Customs has reasonable proof that the premises contain certain forms of evidence, such as books, documents and records related to the potential offence.
- Extended power of a senior authorised officer to seize and investigate any goods based on reasonable grounds for suspecting that a false trade information certificate has been issued.
Click on the following link for more information:
- Regulation of Imports and Exports (Amendment) Bill (available on the Parliament of Singapore website at parliament.gov.sg)
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