Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement at Singapore customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Singapore customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement in Singapore?

Under Goods and Services Tax, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act 1960, section 128L, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence. Under Customs Act 1960, section 124, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.

Can I post or ship food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement to Singapore instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.

Does the Singapore limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Singapore Customs states it in ICA | Prohibited / Controlled / Dutiable Goods. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “You need an import licence or authorisation from the relevant authority to bring controlled goods into Singapore.”

How does Singapore compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Singapore is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement can I bring into Singapore?

Restricted

You can bring Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement into Singapore only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

ICA | Prohibited / Controlled / Dutiable Goods Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

Questions about Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement in Singapore

Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement at Singapore customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Singapore customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement in Singapore?: Under Goods and Services Tax, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act 1960, section 128L, if it is treated as smuggling: it is prosecuted as a criminal offence. Under Customs Act 1960, section 124, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement to Singapore instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you is outside this allowance.
Can I take food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out of Singapore?: Singapore publishes no separate rule for taking food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Singapore limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Singapore Customs states it in ICA | Prohibited / Controlled / Dutiable Goods. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “You need an import licence or authorisation from the relevant authority to bring controlled goods into Singapore.”
How does Singapore compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. Singapore is among the ones that set a limit.

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