Importing Investment Precious Metals (Singapore Customs web page, reached from the ARCS URL)

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5. Importing Investment Precious Metals # Importing Investment Precious Metals Learn the requirements, permits, and GST exemption criteria for importing investment precious metals into Singapore. Last updated on 28 May 2026 On this page - [Check if Your Item Qualifies as IPM](#a099a8920c2fc553eaf034caddf3f427) - [Import Permit Requirements](#920ced541744c9912fbaa81bfd25896f) - [Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS)](#71dca31b058575a511cf7d929637882d) Investment precious metals (IPMs) that meet the qualifying criteria are exempted from Goods and Services Tax (GST) when imported into Singapore. This applies to both commercial and personal imports. ## Check if Your Item Qualifies as IPM GST exemption applies only to precious metals that meet the criteria set by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Before importing, you should: - Understand the qualifying criteria, and - Conduct a self-assessment. Visit the IRAS website and e-Tax Guide “[GST: Guide on Exemption on Investment Precious Metals (IPM) ↗ (opens in new tab)](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-\(gst\)/charging-gst-\(output-tax\)/when-is-gst-not-charged/supplies-exempt-from-gst)” for the full list of: - Approved bars, wafers and ingots - Qualifying coins - Technical criteria (fineness, weight, presentation, accreditation) - Examples of items **not** considered IPMs This IRAS list determines whether the import is GST-exempt. ## Import Permit Requirements Depending on the method of entry into Singapore, you may need to obtain a permit or follow specific clearance procedures. HS Codes for IPMs HS Codes for IPM by Product Type <table> <colgroup> <col style="width: 50%" /> <col style="width: 50%" /> </colgroup> <tbody> <tr class="odd"> <td><p><strong>Type of IPM</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>HS Code(s)</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td><p><strong>Gold – Bar/Wafer</strong></p></td> <td><p>Monetary*: 71082000<br /> Non-monetary: 71081300</p></td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td><p><strong>Gold – Ingot</strong></p></td> <td><p>Monetary*: 71082000<br /> Non-monetary: 71081210</p></td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td><p><strong>Gold – Coin</strong></p></td> <td><p>71189010</p></td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td><p><strong>Silver – Bar/Wafer</strong></p></td> <td><p>71069200</p></td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td><p><strong>Silver – Ingot</strong></p></td> <td><p>71069100</p></td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td><p><strong>Silver – Coin</strong></p></td> <td><p>71181010 or 71189020</p></td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td><p><strong>Platinum – Bar/Wafer</strong></p></td> <td><p>71101900</p></td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td><p><strong>Platinum – Ingot</strong></p></td> <td><p>71101110</p></td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td><p><strong>Platinum – Coin</strong></p></td> <td><p>71181090 or 71189090</p></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> \*Monetary gold refers to gold exchanged between national or international monetary authorities or authorised banks. IPMs Imported by Air, Land, or Sea Freight **Air Freight** - If the [Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/importing-dutiable-motor-vehicles/establishing-the-customs-value/) is **S$400 or below**, no permit is required. - If the CIF value is **above S$400**, you must obtain an **In-Non Payment (GST Relief)** permit. **Sea or Land Freight** - You must obtain an **In-Non Payment (GST Relief)** permit **regardless of CIF value**. **What to declare in the GST Relief permit** TradeNet Declaration Fields for Importing IPM | | | | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Field** | **What to enter** | | **Place of Receipt Code** | IGPM | | **Claimant UEN** | Importer’s UEN | | **Harmonised System (HS) code(s)** | Relevant IPM HS code | | **Supplier name** | Name of refiner who produced the bar/wafer/ingot | | **Brand name** | Name of the qualifying coin | | **CA/SC Product Code** | “BAR”, “INGOT”, “WAFER”, “GOLDCOIN”, “SILVERCOIN”, or “PLATINUMCOIN” | | **CA/SC Product Code Quantity/UOM** | “xxx NMB” | | **CA/SC Code 1** | Purity value (e.g., 99.8). *Do not include the % symbol.* | You must obtain the GST relief permit **before importing** and present it at the checkpoint. **Exception for Trade Samples** If the IPMs are imported as trade samples and the CIF value is ≤ S$400, GST relief applies and no permit is required. IPMs Imported by Post No Customs permit is required for IPMs imported by parcel post. IPMs Imported by Hand-Carry **For commercial use: ** - All IPMs imported by hand-carry require an [In-Non Payment (GST Relief) permit](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/types-of-import-permits/). **For Personal Use:** - If the total weight of hand-carried IPMs is **0.5 kilogrammes or below**, no Customs permit is required. - If the total weight is **more than 0.5 kilogrammes**, you must obtain an **In-Non Payment (GST Relief)** permit. You must obtain the GST relief permit **before importing** and present it at the checkpoint for clearance. Clearance of IPMs **For Air/Sea/Land Freight** You must present: - The relevant import permit (if required), and - Supporting documents such as: - commercial invoice - Packing list - Bill of Lading or Air Waybill These documents must be presented for verification. **For Hand-Carried IPMs** Proceed to the **Red Channel** after immigration clearance and declare the IPMs to the checkpoint officer. You must bring: - Import permit (if applicable) - Invoices - Certificates (if any) - Any supporting documents ## Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS) The **Approved Refiner and Consolidator Scheme (ARCS)**, administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), helps qualifying refiners and consolidators to: - Ease cash flow when importing raw materials, - Simplify GST compliance, and - Recover input tax on refining activities Refer to [IRAS website ↗ (opens in new tab)](https://www.iras.gov.sg/taxes/goods-services-tax-\(gst\)/industry-specific-gst-schemes/approved-refiner-and-consolidator-scheme-\(arcs\)) for more information. Back to [Import Procedures](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/) ## Other pages in Import Procedures - [Import Procedures Overview](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/import-procedures-overview/) - [Authorised Piers and Places](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/authorised-piers-and-places/) - [Claiming Preferential Tariff Treatment for Dutiable Imports](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/claiming-preferential-tariff-treatment-for-dutiable-imports/) - [Controlled and Prohibited Goods for Imports](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/controlled-and-prohibited-goods-for-imports/) - [Depositing Goods in Free Trade Zones](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/depositing-goods-in-free-trade-zones/) - [Depositing Goods in Licensed or Zero-GST Warehouses](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/depositing-goods-in-licensed-or-zero-gst-warehouses/) - [Documents for Clearance of Goods](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/documents-for-clearance-of-goods/) - [Hand-carried Temporary Imported Goods](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/hand-carried-temporary-imported-goods/) - [Importing by Postal or Courier Service](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/importing-by-postal-or-courier-service/) - [Importing Dutiable Motor Vehicles](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/importing-dutiable-motor-vehicles/) [See all pages](/doing-business/import-operations/import-procedures/) Back to top ## Singapore Customs [At Customs](/at-customs/)[Personal Shipment](/personal-shipment/)[Permits & Licences](/permits-and-licences/)[Doing Business](/doing-business/)[Know Customs](/know-customs/)eServices (opens in new tab)[News](/news/) ### Reach us [Contact](/know-customs/contact-us/)[Feedback](/know-customs/contact-us/cant-find-what-you-need/) © 2026 Government of Singapore, last updated on 28 September 2026 Report Vulnerability (opens in new tab)[Privacy Statement](/privacy-statement/)[Terms of Use](/terms-of-use/)REACH (opens in new tab) [](https://www.isomer.gov.sg) Made with Isomer (opens in new tab)[](https://www.open.gov.sg) Built by Open Government Products (opens in new tab) ## Singapore Customs [At Customs](/at-customs/)[Personal Shipment](/personal-shipment/)[Permits & Licences](/permits-and-licences/)[Doing Business](/doing-business/)[Know Customs](/know-customs/)eServices (opens in new tab)[News](/news/) ### Reach us [Contact](/know-customs/contact-us/)[Feedback](/know-customs/contact-us/cant-find-what-you-need/) © 2026 Government of Singapore, last updated on 28 September 2026 Report Vulnerability (opens in new tab)[Privacy Statement](/privacy-statement/)[Terms of Use](/terms-of-use/)REACH (opens in new tab) [](https://www.isomer.gov.sg) Made with Isomer (opens in new tab)[](https://www.open.gov.sg) Built by Open Government Products (opens in new tab)