5 September 2011

The Ministry of Finance and Singapore Customs are conducting a public consultation on the draft Customs (Amendment) Bill 2011 which will run from 2 September to 23 September 2011.

Amongst the main amendments being considered for the Customs (Amendment) Bill 2011 are:

a)   Enhancements to the customs enforcement regime:

• Enhancements of penalties for contraband tobacco offenders to increase deterrence; and
• Extension of liability to the person who furnishes incorrect information to another person for making customs declarations

b)  Changes to facilitate the sharing of information among domestic public agencies:

•  Allow disclosure of information collected under the Customs Act to domestic public agencies for the investigation and prosecution of offences under domestic laws and to safeguard national security, public health and safety.

c)   Changes arising from ongoing reviews of the customs regime for the improvement of customs administration or to clarify existing customs legislation:

• The introduction of a summons system for minor customs offences;
• The appointment of agents for the recovery of duties to reduce administrative costs and aid timely recovery;
• Retention of trade documents in image systems instead of retaining paper documents; and
• Miscellaneous changes to give greater legal clarity and to align provisions within the Customs Act with current operations.

 Source: MOF