Customs

There are a lot of strange (at least for the average European person) laws when it comes to bringing your stuff to Singapore.

If brought in via your handbag, via ship or plane, read the follwoing if you want to avoid paying fines for things you never expected to be on the Singapore Index.
Picture by etoile


There Is No Escaping This

Since Singapore has some very special laws concerning items and goods that more or less "common" everywhere else around the world the country pays very much attention and money on preventing these goods to enter Singapore or at least not being brought in without a hefty tax surcharge. If you arrive via boat or plane or bus the following border stations are all controlled.
(Read: 5 Biggest Mistakes When Moving Internationally)

• Changi Airport
• Woodlands Checkpoint
• Tuas Checkpoint
• Singapore Cruise Centre
• Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Drugs = Death

Not much to say here, trafficking and bringing drugs into Singapore, you get sentenced with the death pinalty, death through hangiong because of a some stupid pills or other stuff you surely could have left home? Simply dont do it!


Prohbited Items

When living in Singapore the "customs" get kind of your second home, everytime you leave the country (which will be in an average of every 2 weeks) you pass the customs, and with time you get kind of a feeling for it. In general the custom officers only pick really suspicous guys and randome checks. And as long as you dont bring in any of the below items there is nothing to worry about.
(Read: Why You Shouldnt Bring DVDs To Singaore)

• Chewing gum (except oral dental and medicated gum)
• Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
• Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape
• Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
• Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
• Firecrackers
• Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software
• Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes
• Seditious and treasonable materials

Picture by House Of Sims


Alcohol, Cigarettes And Other Exceptions

There are however some minor exceptions and more tricky cases. Dont get caught up here, many of my friends already had to pay fines because of general misunderstandings.
In short, whenever you come back from a trip overseas or some other place in SEA, you are allowed to bring in 1 Bottle Of Liquor, 1 Bottle Of Wine, and 1 Sixpack Of Beer. Furthermore to avoid paying taxes on a new pack of cigarettes your pack needs to be opened, and surprisingly, yes you can bring in Chewing Gum, but only for your own consumption and not more then a "reasonable" amount.(Read:All Details About Dutible Goods)


Letters, Packages and Online Ordering

I have never experienced problems with customs when my family or friends sent me letters or packages for my birthday or in general, just ask them to clearly and honestly label the package about its content.

A little bit more tricky is the whole "Internet Ordering" thing, i regulary order T-Shirts in the US, which never caused issues, but be careful with DVDs, books and anything that might get close to the above prohibited items.
And because of the strict laws there are a lot of retailers (eg Amazon.com) who are not offering any delivery to Singapore at all.