{"id":5504,"date":"2017-07-10T14:57:18","date_gmt":"2017-07-10T06:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.carro.sg\/?p=5504"},"modified":"2025-11-18T17:30:50","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T09:30:50","slug":"step-step-guide-importing-car-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/step-step-guide-importing-car-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"Step by Step Guide to Importing a Car in Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"There is no doubt that car prices in Singapore are among the highest in the world and this is mainly due to the numerous taxes imposed on vehicles. The easiest way to buy a vehicle is through a car dealership but you will definitely pay some extra amount which is the dealer\u2019s margin. Therefore, in order to try and reduce the cost of buying a car, you may choose to import a car by yourself. Below is a step by step guide on how to import a car in Singapore which will come in handy when you embark on the process.\r\n<h1>1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ensure that the car complies with the general requirements and set standards<\/h1>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_5505\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5505\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5505\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Ensure-that-the-car-complies-with-the-general-requirements-and-set-standards-www.treehugger.com-cars-did-you-know-that-many-us-states-have-35x-more-parking-spaces-than-cars.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Ensure-that-the-car-complies-with-the-general-requirements-and-set-standards-www.treehugger.com-cars-did-you-know-that-many-us-states-have-35x-more-parking-spaces-than-cars.jpg 468w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Ensure-that-the-car-complies-with-the-general-requirements-and-set-standards-www.treehugger.com-cars-did-you-know-that-many-us-states-have-35x-more-parking-spaces-than-cars-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Ensure-that-the-car-complies-with-the-general-requirements-and-set-standards-www.treehugger.com-cars-did-you-know-that-many-us-states-have-35x-more-parking-spaces-than-cars-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Ensure-that-the-car-complies-with-the-general-requirements-and-set-standards-www.treehugger.com-cars-did-you-know-that-many-us-states-have-35x-more-parking-spaces-than-cars-265x198.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5505\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: www.treehugger.com cars did-you-know-that-many-us-states-have-35x-more-parking-spaces-than-cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nThere are set requirements and standards for cars that can be imported to Singapore. Failure to comply with these standards would be lead to an automatic rejection of the car and it wouldn\u2019t be allowed out of port. The set standards and requirements are:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>You can only import brand new vehicles or vehicles that are less than 3 years of age<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Determining the age of a used car will be based on the date of first registration in a foreign country. If this cannot be ascertained, then, the age of the car will be based on the first day of the year on which the car was manufactured.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Modifications done on the car to be imported must be certified and done only by the manufacturer, or an agent who is certified by the manufacturer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>You can only import a car that uses unleaded petrol<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The imported car must only use CFC-free air conditioners<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Every imported car must be inspected and has to pass inspection at the authorized inspection centres. There are set technical inspection guidelines\/standards which you can get from the inspection agents so that you can be certain before importing the car.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Get the relevant documents from the manufacturer<\/h1>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_5506\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5506\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5506\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe-696x392.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe-1068x601.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Get-the-relevant-documents-from-the-manufacturer-www.mnbtransport.com-en-servizi-vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe-747x420.jpg 747w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5506\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: www.mnbtransport.com en servizi vehicles-distribution-from-the-car-manufacturer-headquarters-to-any-car-dealer-europe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nBefore you can register your car in Singapore you will need to provide the following documents and hence you must acquire them before the car is imported:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>If the car is new, obtain documents that prove the car is brand new and has never been registered by another user or in another country.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>You must also obtain documents to ascertain that the vehicle complies with the set emission and safety standards.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Compliance documents to show that the vehicle\u2019s CO2 and fuel economy data was tested as per the UN ECE regulations.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>If it is a new brand\/model of car or if the car was never previously imported to Singapore, then you must also obtain a technical specifications catalogue from the manufacturer.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1>3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shipping<\/h1>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_5507\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5507\" style=\"width: 494px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5507\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Shipping-http-internationalshippingusa.com-Shipping_Cars.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"494\" height=\"400\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Shipping-http-internationalshippingusa.com-Shipping_Cars.jpg 494w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Shipping-http-internationalshippingusa.com-Shipping_Cars-300x243.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 494px) 100vw, 494px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5507\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: http internationalshippingusa.com Shipping_Cars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nYou can import a car to Singapore through the sea or by air. However, it is always cheaper to ship by sea though this will take a little bit longer. The best way to go about this is to arrange for shipment through a shipment agent who will help you with the finer details.\r\n<h1>4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inward cargo clearance permit<\/h1>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_5508\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5508\" style=\"width: 709px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5508\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Inward-cargo-clearance-permit-www.cargotopakistan.co_.uk-blog-top-9-customs-performers-world.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"709\" height=\"475\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Inward-cargo-clearance-permit-www.cargotopakistan.co_.uk-blog-top-9-customs-performers-world.jpg 709w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Inward-cargo-clearance-permit-www.cargotopakistan.co_.uk-blog-top-9-customs-performers-world-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Inward-cargo-clearance-permit-www.cargotopakistan.co_.uk-blog-top-9-customs-performers-world-696x466.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Inward-cargo-clearance-permit-www.cargotopakistan.co_.uk-blog-top-9-customs-performers-world-627x420.jpg 627w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5508\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: www.cargotopakistan.co.uk blog top-9-customs-performers-world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nAll goods imported to Singapore must get clearance from the customs authority. You should ensure that your agent gets the inward cargo clearance permit from Singapore customs by submitting an application. At this stage, the fees applicable are the permit and processing fee, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Exercise Duty.\r\n<h1>5)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Registration of the car in Singapore<\/h1>\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_5509\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5509\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5509\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Registration-of-the-car-in-Singapore-www.sgcarmart.com-news-writeup.php-AID284.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Registration-of-the-car-in-Singapore-www.sgcarmart.com-news-writeup.php-AID284.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Registration-of-the-car-in-Singapore-www.sgcarmart.com-news-writeup.php-AID284-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Registration-of-the-car-in-Singapore-www.sgcarmart.com-news-writeup.php-AID284-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Registration-of-the-car-in-Singapore-www.sgcarmart.com-news-writeup.php-AID284-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Registration-of-the-car-in-Singapore-www.sgcarmart.com-news-writeup.php-AID284-630x420.jpg 630w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-5509\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: www.sgcarmart.com news writeup.php AID=284<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nAfter all the applicable fees have been paid to Singapore Customs, the car will be allowed to dock on land awaiting registration. For registration, you will have to provide all the importation documents for verification and registration of the car.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is no doubt that car prices in Singapore are among the highest in the world and this is mainly due to the numerous taxes imposed on vehicles. The easiest way to buy a vehicle is through a car dealership but you will definitely pay some extra amount which is the dealer\u2019s margin. Therefore, in &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5507,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[721],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-car-buying-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5504"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16004,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5504\/revisions\/16004"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}