Singapore Travel Forum

Hello! I'm travelling to Singapore in a few days, and I've read in some places that you're not allowed to bring cigarettes with you. I'd like to know if this is true, and if so, if they are strict with it. I'm a smoker and I'm planning to bring my own cigarettes from Spain, (I smoke a special spanish blend, I can't find it anywhere else). Will I have any troubles in costumes?

Thanks!

Hi, I'm don't think you'll have any problms with costumes here, as long as you're wearing something decent, it unlikely the cops will arrest you for indecent eposure :)

Customs, though, now don't mess with them. These guys are very thorough & will not be trifled with. Essentially, duty unpaid cigarettes are not allowed in Singapore, so I suggest either of these few options:

- stop smoking altogether
- learn to do without your special brand of cigarettes for the
duration you're in Singapore
- declare your speial cigarettes at the Red lane & pay whatever duty
is levied
- buy duty paid cigarrettes in shops in Singapore & make do
with these, but remember cigarrettes are bloody expensive in Singapore

Hope this helps, let me knowif you need more info.

Cheers.

What about bringing one only open packet? Do I need to pay taxes for it?

What they are trying to prevent is cigarette smuggling. I once went into Singapore with two or three packs of my own cigarettes (back in the days when I smoked) and had no problem. I would be very surprised if they gave you a hard time for two or three packs of special Spanish cigarettes. It might be a different story if you carried two or three cartons of Marlboros. The worst that can happen is that they'll confiscate them or charge you a small premium.

Good luck!

Vanakam, if its just the 1 pack & its already open, no issue.

Have a great time in Singapore.

1 open packet you are usually fine (depends on the customs officer) but more than that, very unlikely. All duty-unpaid cigarettes, whether open packed or not, are subjected to custom duties:

More information:

http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/about_singapore/faq/customs.html#0015

http://www.ica.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=98&secid=94#Dutiable%20Goods

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trav/Dutiable+Controlled+and+Prohibited+Goods.htm

Just my 2 cents.... :-)

Still suggest not to bring cirarettes anymore, but if you have too, better get it from the duty free stores at the airport (but without your spanish blend). Same thing with liquors...

have a great time!

To add on, please note that even the cigarettes bought from the duty free shops at the airport will be subjected to cigarette duties upon bringing them into Singapore. There are absolutely no concessions where tobacco products are concerned.

Just my 2 cents.... :-)

i usually bring 3 packs. 1 open pack in my jacket pocket, 1 open pack in my luggage and 1 unopen pack in my handcarry.

cigs are very expensive here - 11-12sgd (about 7usd?) while in manila is only 20p (50cents)

Of course, one can choose to risk - it's entirely up to the individual. Do know that even if a pack of duty-unpaid cigarette get managed to past customs unnoticed, it does not mean that the person is out of the woods.

There are enforcement officers out on the road looking out for contraband cigarettes and if you had seen how a pack of regular cigarettes in Singapore looks like, you know that these are really easy to spot (absence of gory imageS).

Do note that since the middle of this month, the fine for carry a pack of such cigarettes had increased to S$500 per pack. Thus, that duty-unpaid pack may cost a lot more expensive if caught.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/360307/1/.html
http://www.customs.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/806059B3-FEBE-4D85-9717-C4270BE42857/21300/MediaRelease_HalfYear2008_web_.pdf

Just my 2 cents.... :-)