10 travellers caught at Changi Airport for carrying over S$20,000 into Singapore without declaration

SINGAPORE: A total of 10 travellers were caught at Changi Airport for bringing over S$20,000 (US$14,760) in cash into Singapore without making a declaration.

The 10 people - aged between 31 and 71 - were separately detected during a week-long multi-agency enforcement operation involving the Singapore Police Force, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Central Narcotics Bureau, Singapore Customs, National Parks Board and Health Sciences Authority.

The checks, conducted from Jun 17 to Jun 23, are part of continued efforts by the authorities to clamp down on non-compliance with Singapore’s cross-border cash reporting regime and other illegal cross-border activities, the agencies said in a joint news release on Tuesday (Jun 25).

More than 10,000 travellers were identified for checks, with more than 18,000 luggage and hand-carry bags scanned or searched across Changi Airport's four terminals.

UNDECLARED CASH

On Jun 20, two Singaporean men and a woman of foreign nationality, aged between 31 and 50, were separately detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to between S$30,000 and S$35,000 into Singapore without declaration.

Four men of foreign nationalities, aged between 37 and 61, were also detected moving cash of various currencies on Jun 22. The sum involved was between S$24,000 and S$109,000. 

On Jun 23, three men of foreign nationalities were found to be carrying cash amounting to between S$22,000 and S$28,000. They were aged between 60 and 71. 

Two of the 10 travellers were issued warnings, while six were fined a total of S$23,000, the agencies said. 

"Investigations are ongoing into two travellers who carried money of various currencies exceeding S$140,000 in total, into Singapore without declaration," said the agencies without specifying who the individuals were. 

The authorities reminded members of the public that penalties for cross-border cash reporting regimes have been enhanced and that it is a requirement to declare the movement of cash if the total value exceeds S$20,000.

Travellers have to submit a declaration 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore.

Anyone convicted of moving more than S$20,000 into or out of Singapore without declaring it can be jailed for up to three years, fined a maximum of S$50,000, or both. A confiscation order may also be issued for any part of the cash relating to the offence.

CUSTOMS OFFENCES

A total of 77 people were found to have flouted various Customs regulations including failing to declare and pay taxes on dutiable cigarette or tobacco products, and for having liquour exceeding their duty-free allowance. 

Several individuals also had items exceeding their Goods and Services Tax (GST) import relief allowance. 

The total amount of duty and GST involved was more than S$11,000, and the fines imposed was more than S$17,000, said the agencies. 

"Notable cases included a luxury watch and a luxury handbag undeclared by two different travellers.

"The two largest undeclared cigarette cases involved 800 sticks and 500 sticks of cigarettes. As these cigarettes did not comply with Singapore’s Standardised Packaging requirements, they were seized and disposed of at the airport," added the authorities. 

Members of the public were reminded that it is the responsibility of arriving travellers to make accurate and complete declarations of the dutiable and taxable items in their possession. 

"To avoid the hefty penalties and for their own convenience, foreign travellers and local residents are strongly encouraged to make an advance declaration and payment for their dutiable or GST goods up to three days prior to their arrival in Singapore."