Application Process & Fees for Licence / Permit / Registration for Import / Export

Step 1: Ensure your business is registered with ACRA

Only businesses registered with ACRA are eligible to apply for a licence or register with SFA to import, export, or tranship goods.

You can visit ACRA's website for more information on how to register your business with ACRA as well as the fees for registration and the processing time required.

Ensure your business is registered with ACRA and that the registration remains valid before you apply/register with SFA.

Step 2: Register with Singapore Customs

To import, export, or tranship goods, you will need a TradeNet account.

You should activate your TradeNet account with Singapore Customs using the UEN issued by ACRA before applying with SFA.

For details on how to set up a TradeNet account, see Activation of Customs Account. For information or assistance, please contact Singapore Customs.

Step 3: Open and maintain a GIRO account with SFA

You must open and maintain a GIRO account with SFA for the payment of licence, registration, and permit fees.

If you need to change your GIRO account with SFA, you must submit a new GIRO application form. You should maintain the existing GIRO account until the new one is approved, as your licence may be suspended if you do not have a GIRO account with SFA.

For details on how to set up your GIRO with SFA, see Payments – GIRO.

Step 4: Have your SingPass or CorpPass ready

You will need your SingPass or CorpPass to log into the GoBusiness portal to apply/register.

If you do not have a SingPass account, register for one on the SingPass website. You will need to be authorised by your company’s CorpPass administrator before logging into the GoBusiness portal to apply/register on behalf of your company.

If you do not have a CorpPass account, refer to the CorpPass Guide for setup instructions.

Step 5: Ensure your food and food products meet the requirements

Before applying, ensure that you can meet the requirements for the goods you want to import, export, or tranship. For instance, if you are importing meat, the meat must be from approved sources.

For an overview of the requirements, see Requirements for Licence / Permit / Registration for Import / Export.

Step 7: Make payment

The table below shows the fees and processing time for the licences/registrations to import, export and tranship goods regulated by SFA.

If you have already set up your GIRO arrangement with SFA in step 3, you can pay through GIRO. If you prefer other payment modes, such as AXS or GoBusiness, refer to Payments.

Step 8: Receive notifications via the GoBusiness portal

You can check the status of your application via the GoBusiness Portal.

After you have obtained the licence, registration or permit from SFA, you may be required to take other actions, such as:

• apply for a Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP) for every consignment
• apply for Veterinary Health Certificates from SFA
• apply for Export Health Certificates or Free Sale Certificates from SFA
• undergo border control inspection

For details, refer to:

What You Need to Know for Import of Food for Commercial Sale

Apply for an import permit
What You Need to Know for Import of Animal Feed
What You Need to Know for Import of Live Poultry, Livestock & Live Animal
What You Need to Know for Export / Tranship of Food & Food Products
What You Need to Know for Export / Tranship of Animal Feed
What You Need to Know for Export / Tranship of Live Poultry, Livestock & Live Animal

For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.