All traders who wish to import, export or transship food products are required by law to either obtain a relevant trader’s licence or register with SFA.
*Please note that all existing licences issued by AVA before 1 Apr 2019 will remain valid till the stated expiry date.
A licence is required when you are:
- importing, exporting or transshipping meat and fish products; or
- importing or transshipping fresh fruits and vegetables; or
- importing fresh table eggs
Meanwhile, registration is required when you are:
- importing processed food and food appliances (e.g. food ware).
See General Classification of Food & Food Products to find out more about the categories of food products.
General Requirements for Traders
Traders who are applying for licences and registration with SFA must meet these requirements.
1. Register the company with ACRA
Your trading company or business must be registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) before conducting business in Singapore.
ACRA issues a Unique Entity Number (UEN) to all Singapore-registered companies.
2. Register and activate UEN with Singapore Customs
Companies must register and activate their UEN with Singapore Customs if they intend to import, transship and export food products.
Please refer to the Singapore Customs on the Activation of Customs Account or contact Singapore Customs at (65) 6355 2000 for more details.
3. Open and maintain a GIRO account
In addition, you must open and maintain a GIRO account* with SFA for the payment of fees and permits.
*If you need to change your GIRO account with SFA, you have to re-submit a new GIRO application form. You are also required to maintain the existing GIRO account until the new GIRO account is approved, as your licence may be suspended if you do not have a GIRO account with SFA.
4. Check additional requirements
For importers of fresh table eggs
Aside from satisfying the conditions listed above, importers of fresh table eggs must have their egg storage premises inspected and approved by SFA.
Generally, the egg premises must meet SFA’s requirements on hygiene and sanitation, location (i.e. not near any heavy industries), storage conditions, etc.
Find out more in Setting Up Food Establishments.
Table egg importers will be required to submit a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for approval prior to licence application and/or renewal. This BCP would detail preventive strategies adopted by the importer to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions. Refer to the BCP Template provided. Importers may fill in any 1 or more of the 4 parts of the template BCP. Please submit the BCP as a supporting document with your licence application.
Applying for Licences / Registration
How to apply:
| STEP |
DESCRIPTION |
| Step 1: |
Find for the relevant licence or registration via the GoBusiness Licensing website and submit an application. Alternatively, directly apply for the respective licence or registration via the links below.
|
| Step 2: |
Pay for your licence:
- via GIRO, or
- online via electronic payment (NETS or Credit Card).
For more information on these payment modes, see:
|
You may also refer to the Step-by-Step Guide for licence application.
Please refer to the table of fees below for the chargeable fees.
Licensing and Registration Fees
|
| Licence for Import/Export/Transshipment of Meat and Fish Products |
S$84 per annum |
Normal Service:
1 working day to process
Express Service:
Same day processing. Pay an additional fee equal to the cost of your licence
|
| Licence for Import/Transshipment of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables |
S$378 per annum |
Normal Service:
1 working day to process
Express Service:
Same day processing. Pay an additional fee equal to the cost of your licence
|
| Licence to Import Table Eggs |
Free |
1 working day to process |
| Registration to Import Processed Food Products and Food Appliances |
Free |
1 working day to process |
| Registration to Import Animal Feed |
Free |
1 working day to process |
Updating Company Particulars
You should inform SFA immediately about changes in the particulars of your company or business (e.g. company address, contact numbers, etc.). Do so by logging in to the GoBusiness Licensing website and updating your company profile.
Renewing or Cancelling Licence / Registration
To renew or cancel your licence or registration, please follow the procedure below. You may also refer to the Step-by-Step Guide for licence renewal.
Renewing Licence / Registration
| STEP |
DESCRIPTION |
| Step 1: |
SFA will send a renewal notice (via email or SMS) 2 months prior to the expiry of your licence.
|
| Step 2: |
If you are a self-employed trader renewing your Government trade licence, ensure that your Medisave contributions up-to-date.
|
| Step 3: |
Log in to GoBusiness Licensing website to submit your request for renewal.
|
| Step 4: |
A food recall plan details the procedures that each food (and food appliances) importer should follow during a food recall. All food and food appliances traders should have a food recall plan in place to ensure that they are operationally ready for any food recall event.
Check that your company’s particulars are up-to-date and attach your company’s Food Recall Plan
Note that the Food Recall Plan is required for first renewal and once every 2 years for subsequent renewals. Companies that have yet developed one may take reference from the attached standard recall procedure.
Importers of fresh table eggs are currently not required to submit a Food Recall Plan.
|
| Step 5: |
Pay for renewal fee:
- via GIRO, or
- online via electronic payment (NETS or Credit Card).
For more information on these payment modes, see:
The annual renewal fees are the same as the licence fees as listed in Applying for Licence / Registration.
|
| Step 6: |
You will receive a notification email from SFA once your request for renewal is successful.
|
Cancelling Licence / Registration
If your company is no longer active in the business or trade, you may cancel your licence or registration with SFA.
You can log in to GoBusiness Licensing website to submit your request. Otherwise, you may allow your renewal to lapse by ignoring the renewal notice.
You will receive a notification email from SFA once your request for cancellation is accepted.