Brokering

Brokering is the arrangement, negotiation, or the act of facilitating the arrangement or negotiation, of a contract to acquire or dispose controlled goods or technology, with reason to believe the contract will, or is likely to, result in the removal of the goods and technology from one foreign country to another.

Before engaging in any brokering activities, you must submit a brokering registration form or a brokering permit application to Singapore Customs.

Registering as a Broker

You should register as a broker with Singapore Customs at least 14 working days before brokering in arms, explosives and other items listed in the Strategic Goods (Control) (Brokering) Order 2019.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form for Registration to Broker Goods.

Step 2: Attach the supporting documents, where applicable:

• Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) Bizfile business profile of applicant
• Technical specifications of the items to be brokered (for example, manuals, brochures, data sheets, operating instructions)
• Other relevant supporting documents

Step 3: Submit the completed form and supporting documents.

In addition, registered brokers are required to submit a half-yearly report on brokering activities that have been carried out during that period. The report must be submitted to Singapore Customs by the 30th day of June and December every year. Singapore Customs may also require the records to be audited and verified by an authorised officer at any time.

Your application should be processed within seven working days. Please ensure that the information and documents provided are complete. However, some applications may take a longer time to process, depending on the nature of the item, destination or parties involved in the transaction. To avoid any possible delay in your brokering activities, you are encouraged to submit your application two months ahead for our assessment and processing.

Applying for a Brokering Permit

You will need a brokering permit if you:

• Have been notified by an authorised officer
• Know, or
• Have reasonable grounds to suspect

That the goods or technology you are brokering are intended or likely to be used, wholly or in part, for or in connection with the:

This applies even if the goods are not strategic goods.

Step 1: Complete the Application Form for Permit to Broker Goods.

Step 2: Attach the supporting documents, where applicable:

• ACRA Bizfile business profile of applicant
• Company profile and/or website of other parties to the transaction
• End-User Statement from the party receiving the brokered goods or technology
• Export licence (and its English translation) from the foreign supplying country, or a confirmation from the supplying country that they do not control the re-transfer of the goods
• Import authorisation from the importing country
• Technical specifications of the item to be brokered (for example, manuals, brochures, data sheets, operating instructions)
• Business transaction documents (for example, order forms, contracts/agreements, letters of intent, invoices, transaction-related communications)
• Other relevant supporting documents

Step 3: Submit the completed form and supporting documents.

Your application should be processed within seven working days. Please ensure that the information and documents provided are complete. However, some applications may take a longer time to process, depending on the nature of the item, destination or parties involved in the transaction. To avoid any possible delay in your brokering activities, you are encouraged to submit your application two months ahead for our assessment and processing.