1. Legal Authority
Importers and exporters are required to furnish declarations in Singapore in accordance
with the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act, 1995, in respect of goods brought
into or taken out of Singapore.
2. Source of Data
With effect from 1 April 2003, the statistics are compiled from Singapore import
and export declarations which are approved by the Director-General of Singapore
Customs, Singapore, except for the following:
a. Postal packages which are based on particulars furnished by the Singapore Post
Pte Ltd and
b. Bunkers and stores supplied to non-Singapore registered aircraft and stores supplied
to non-Singapore registered ships are compiled from statements furnished by ships'
and aircraft agents.
3. Coverage
- The "general" system of recording trade statistics is adopted in Singapore.
Under this system all goods imported into or exported from Singapore with the exception
of goods specified in Paragraph 5 of this section are covered.
- Ships and aircraft are included in the statistics if they are imported or exported
as merchandise purchased or sold by an owner in Singapore whether or not they arrived
or departed under their own power. Bunker fuel and stores supplied to ships and
aircraft of non-Singapore registration are included in the statistics.
- The following classes of goods are excluded from the statistics:
- transhipment cargo on through bills of lading or through air waybill; fish and other
marine produce landed by Singapore and Peninsular Malaysian registered vessels direct
from the sea;
- goods imported and exported by, or on behalf of, diplomatic service and Armed Forces;
- exposed cinematographic films imported or exported on rental basis;
- TV news films, news or press materials;
- animals and vehicles temporarily brought in or out for races or competitions;
- goods temporarily imported or exported solely for exhibition purposes and intended
to be returned after the exhibition;
- ships and aircraft arriving for or departing after repairs;
- containers, cylinders, bottles and the like specified as returnable;
- personal and household effects accompanying passengers or crew;
- samples, gifts, and specimens for test or analysis; and unaccompanied personal effects
not exceeding the value of S$400;
- gold bullion and gold coins;
- issued currency notes and coins.
4. Period Covered
Statistics are compiled monthly from final declarations received during the external
trade account month which ends on the last day of the calendar month.
Trade figures of the last five years and current year are available:
- Annual
This option gives yearly figures for three years
- Cumulative
This option gives figures from January to the chosen month of three years. For example,
if June is chosen, then figures will be generated for January to June of the selected
three years.
- Quarterly
This option provides data on the previous four quarters from the selected quarter:
1Q - First Quarter (Jan-Mar)
2Q - Second Quarter (Apr-Jun)
3Q - Third Quarter (Jul-Sep)
4Q - Fourth Quarter (Oct-Dec)
- Monthly
This option provides data on the previous twelve months from the selected month
- Quarter on Quarter
This option provides data of the same quarter over three years.
- Month on Month
This option provides data of the same month over three years.
5. Valuation
- The values are shown in Singapore dollars.
- Imports are valued c.i.f., that is, the value of goods at the frontier of the exporting
country plus the cost of insurance and freight and any other charges when sold for
export to Singapore.
- Goods on consignment are valued at the current import price for imports and the
current export price for exports
- Goods other than ships and aircraft imported/exported for repair or improvement
are recorded at their respective market value and on subsequent re-export/re-import
are valued inclusive of the cost of repair or improvement.
- The value of postal packages is estimated from a probability sample.
- Unissued currency notes and coins are shown at their intrinsic value as printed
paper or stamped metal and not at their face value.
6. Unit of Quantity
Quantities, where shown, represent the net weight, volume or other measurements
of the goods exclusive of packing containers. The unit of quantity selected for
any particular commodity is that which is considered most appropriate for the type
of goods included in that item. Where the commodity items comprising different kinds
of commodities for which a common unit of measurement cannot be selected, only values
are shown.
The Units of Quantity are as follows:
- NMB: Number
- TEN: Unit of One Ten
- TPR: Unit of One Ten Pairs
- CEN: Unit of One Hundred
- MIL: Unit of One Thousand
- MTR: Metre
- MTK: Square Metre
- MTQ: Cubic Metre
- LTR: Litre
- KGM: Kilogram
- TNE: Tonne
- GWH: Gigawatt-Hour
7. Commodity Classification
Trade statistics by commodity in this volume are published according to the order
of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC - Revision 4) adapted for
use in Singapore as opposed to the scheme used for tariff and documentation purposes
which is based on Harmonised System (HS).
8. Classification and Arrangement of Countries/Areas
- Imports are classified according to the country/area of origin, that is, the country/area
where the goods are given the final form in which they are imported into Singapore.
Exports are classified according to the country/area of destination, that is, the
country/area where it is expected that the goods will be consumed insofar as this
can be ascertained at the time of export. In the case of goods which are shipped
on an optional bill of lading, the country/area of the first port declared is taken
as the country/area of destination.
- In the case of imports/exports of postal packages, the country/area of consignment
as stated in airway bills is deemed to be the country/area of origin/destination.
Imports of second hand goods are treated as having originated from the country/area
of consignment when the country/area of origin is not ascertainable. Destination
of bunker fuel and stores supplied to ships or aircraft is determined according
to the country/area of registration of the ship or aircraft.
- For purposes of presentation, countries/areas are classified into continents. Countries/areas
with which the trade is significant are shown individually in the tables and countries/areas
with which the trade is relatively small are combined and shown as a residual group
of their respective continent wherever practical. E.g. OC America, OC Asia, etc.
9. Data Updates & Revisions
The data are provided on an “as is” basis and is subject to updates, as well as revisions, to ensure consistency with international compilation and reporting standards.
While every effort is made to ensure that the data is accurate, it is provided by Enterprise Singapore without any representation or warranty. Enterprise Singapore
shall not be held responsible for any consequence arising from your reliance on any information provided by us.
10. Trade Types
Total Trade = Imports + Exports
Exports = Domestic Exports + Re-Exports
- Imports
All goods brought into Singapore except those specified in Paragraph 5 of the Explanatory
Notes irrespective of whether they are for consumption, for processing, for use
in manufacturing, or for subsequent re-shipment to other countries/areas.
- Exports
All goods taken out of Singapore except those specified in Paragraph 5 of the Explanatory
Notes. They comprise Domestic Exports and Re-Exports.
- Re-exports
All goods which are exported from Singapore in the same form as they have been imported
without any transformation. Re-packing, splitting into lots, sorting or grading,
marking and the like are not considered as undergoing this process of transformation.
- Domestic Exports
Exports of Singapore origin comprising:
Primary commodities grown or produced in Singapore
Goods which have been transformed, that is, manufactured, assembled, or processed
in Singapore including those with imported materials or parts.
Please mail comments and suggestions to
statlink@enterprisesg.gov.sg
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