What You Can and Cannot Bring into Singapore: A Guide for Travellers in 2025

Traveling to Singapore? Whether you’re returning from a business trip, vacation, or visiting family and friends, it’s essential to know what you can and cannot bring into the country. Singapore is known for its strict import regulations to ensure public safety, security, and the preservation of its unique environment. With recent updates in Singapore’s import laws in 2025, staying informed is more important than ever to avoid hefty fines and ensure a smooth journey home.

Also read: Top 35 Fun Things to Do in Singapore — Including Free Activities!

Updated Regulations in 2025: Navigating the Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB)

In January 2025, Singapore’s Parliament passed the Food Safety and Security Bill (FSSB), aimed at enhancing the safety and security of food imports. Although the FSSB is not yet in force, it promises greater flexibility for consumers regarding the quantity of food items brought into the country for personal consumption. Until the new regulations take effect, the existing rules and limits remain in place. Stay tuned for more updates as the implementation date approaches.

Allowed Food Items and Import Limits

To help you navigate what you can safely bring into Singapore, we’ve broken down the regulations into clear categories. Always ensure your food items comply with the prescribed limits and approved sources to avoid any inconvenience at the airport.

Meat Products – Limit: 5kg

Singapore has strict regulations on importing meat to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure food safety. Here’s what you need to know:

• Beef: Allowed from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Uruguay, and the USA.
• Mutton: Permitted from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
• Pork: Acceptable from Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
• Poultry: Allowed from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

TripZilla Tip: Always check the latest approved sources before traveling, as these can change based on current food safety assessments.

Fish and Seafood – Limit: 5kg

Bringing fish and seafood into Singapore requires adherence to specific guidelines:

• Frozen Cooked Crabmeat and Prawn Meat: Allowed from all countries/regions. (Note that these carry a maximum of 2kg for each type).
• Live or Frozen Oysters: Permitted from Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the USA.
• Other Fish Products: Includes live fish, fish fillets, canned tuna, and dried fish from all countries/regions.

TripZilla Tip: Ensure all seafood is properly packaged and declared to avoid any issues during customs checks.

Fruits & Vegetables – Limit: A Small, Reasonable Quantity

Singapore welcomes fresh produce, provided it meets the following criteria:

• All Fruits and Vegetables: Allowed from any country/region. You are limited to a small, reasonable quantity (e.g., hand-carry size) for personal consumption.

TripZilla Tip: Certain fruits and vegetables may require inspection upon arrival, so declare them to facilitate a smooth process.

Eggs – Limit: 30 Eggs

When it comes to eggs, strict limits are in place to prevent potential health risks:

• Shell Eggs: Allowed from Australia, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Japan, West Malaysia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Korea, Thailand, Ukraine, and the USA.
• Processed Eggs: Only shell eggs are permitted. No free-range or processed egg products are allowed.

TripZilla Tip: Exceeding the egg limit can result in confiscation and fines.

Processed Food

Processed foods offer more flexibility but still come with restrictions:

• Cleaned Dried Bird’s Nest: Allowed from all countries/regions. Limit: 1kg with no restriction on total value.
• Other Processed Foods: Includes biscuits, ice cream, jam, kimchi, milk, mooncakes, nuts, and wine from all countries/regions. Combined weight limit: 5kg or 5 litres and total value limit: SGD 100 per traveller.

TripZilla Tip: Keep receipts and packaging to prove the value and authenticity of your processed food items.

Prohibited and Controlled Goods

Singapore maintains strict control over certain items to ensure public safety and uphold legal standards. Here’s what you absolutely cannot bring into the country:

Prohibited Items:

• Chewing gum
• Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products (e.g., electronic cigarettes)
• Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
• Obscene articles, publications, videotapes, videodiscs, and software
• Reproductions of copyright publications, videotapes, videodiscs, laser discs, records, and cassettes
• Seditious and treasonable materials
• Nasal snuff, oral snuff, gutkha, khaini, zarda
• Any product containing nicotine or tobacco for topical use, implantation, or injection
• Concealed weapons (e.g., flick knives, gravity knives, wasp knives, throwing knives, knuckledusters, ninja stars, catapults/slingshots)

Controlled Goods (Require Import Permits or Authorisation):

• Animals, birds and their by-products
• Ornamental fish
• Plants
• Endangered species of wildlife
• Medicines, pharmaceuticals and poisons
• Bulletproof clothing
• Toy guns, pistols and revolvers
• Weapons, kris, spears and swords

TripZilla Tip: Importing or possessing prohibited items can lead to severe penalties, including fines up to S$50,000 and potential imprisonment.

Stay Informed and Travel Smart

Navigating Singapore’s food import regulations can be complex, but being well-informed ensures a hassle-free experience. Always declare any food items you’re bringing into the country and adhere to the specified limits and approved sources. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse, and violations can lead to significant fines and confiscation of goods.

Final Tips for Travellers

• Check Updated Regulations: Regulations can change, so always verify the latest guidelines before your trip.
• Declare All Food Items: Transparency with customs can prevent misunderstandings and penalties.
• Use Original Packaging: This helps in identifying the contents and verifying their safety.
• Plan Ahead: Knowing the limits and restrictions in advance can help you make informed decisions about what to bring.

Share this Guide!

Planning your next trip to Singapore? Share this essential guide with family and friends to ensure everyone enjoys a smooth and compliant travel experience. Bookmark this page and refer to it before packing your belongings to avoid any unexpected surprises at the airport. Safe travels!

Also read: 5 Unique Places in Singapore That Even Some Locals Don’t Know About

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