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Introduction

Any person who is to import any regulated P&FM (including scheduled chemical) above the exemption quantities is required to obtain an import licence from SCDF.

The rationale of regulating import of P&FM is due to the followings:

1. Enhance the accountability and traceability on movement of P&FM passing through Singapore's borders; and
2. Ensure that the importer has a licensed premises to store the P&FM before the goods can be imported and stored there

Exemption for Import Licence

The import of P&FM in the following quantities are exempted from licensing:

• Petroleum

1. Class O petroleum – Less than 130 kg (gross weight) in not more than 2 cylinders;
2. Class I petroleum - Less than 20 litres; or
3. Class II and III petroleum - Less than 200 litres
   

• Flammable Materials

1. Less than 130 kg (gross weight) in not more than 2 cylinders of flammable gases;
2. Less than 20 litres of flammable liquids; or
3. Less than 10kg of flammable solids.

Download: Complete list of licensable chemicals (XLSX, 57 KB)

The import of any scheduled chemical, regardless of quantity, requires a licence to import.

Processing Of P&FM Import Licence (Auto Approval)

The applicant is to apply P&FM Import licence via SCDF's eService.

The applicant will proceed to make payment and the import licence will be auto approved if the payment is successful. The import licence will be sent to the applicant via email the next day. With effect from 21 August 2016, P&FM storage licence is no longer required to be included/updated in the P&FM import licence online application. Hence, storage address information will not be reflected in the P&FM import licence approval letter. The import licence number will be updated in TradeNet.

To reinforce the regulatory control on import of P&FM, all importers will have to declare their goods in the TradeNet System which is administered by Singapore Customs. The importer is required to declare at least one valid P&FM storage licence, where the premises are licensed to store   the imported P&FM. This is to ensure that the storage premises comply with fire safety requirements before any regulated P&FM can be imported and stored there. Once the licensed goods are cleared by TradeNet, a Cargo Clearance Permit (CCP) will be generated. The importer with the CCP will collect their goods and check by customs officers at the various border checkpoints.

Things to Note

An import licence granted is subjected to the provisions of Fire Safety Act and Fire Safety (P&FM) Regulations. In addition, the licence issued is subjected to the following conditions:

1. Importer must ensure that the imported goods are stored in P&FM licensed premises.
2. Importer must ensure that the imported goods shall not cause the fire safety requirements of the licensed storage premises to be compromised in any manner such as exceeding the licensed storage quantity or not in accordance to approved storage licence.
3. Importers using 3rd party licensed storage premises must ensure that the necessary authorization must be obtained from the licensed storage premises. The use of unauthorized storage premises will render the licence holder/company liable for prosecution.
4. Importer must ensure that the imported goods are transported by a P&FM licensed vehicle.
5. Flammable materials in packaging such as drums, carboys etc are to be kept in a sheltered store with adequate security, ventilation and control facilities to contain spillage or leakage.
6. For the import of flammable materials controlled by SCDF, you are to ensure that your company or your declaring agent declares the appropriate HS codes & product codes when submitting the inward/ outward permit applications. Misuse of the HS codes & product code will render the licence holder / company liable to prosecution.
7. Import of LPG and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), in cylinder is not allowed apart from the exemption quantity.

For more information on Import Matters, you may contact the following: