Two Malaysia-registered cars were caught trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore over the Good Friday long weekend by ICA officers on 7 and 9 April.
ICA’s statement
𝗛𝘂𝗳𝗳 & 𝗣𝘂𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳
Over the Good Friday long weekend, ICA officers foiled 2 attempts to smuggle more than 387 cartons of contraband cigarettes into Singapore.
On 7 April 2023, ICA and SPF K-9 profiled a Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks and found 323 cartons and 100 packets of contraband cigarettes.
On 9 April 2023, another Malaysia-registered car was found with 64 cartons and 580 packets during enhanced checks.
Both cases have been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
As Guardians of Our Borders, ICA is committed to facilitating trade and safe travels while keeping Singapore’s borders safe & secure.
Contraband cigarettes
The dangers of contraband cigarettes in Singapore are many. They pose a health risk to smokers.
Contraband cigarettes are often produced without the same quality control measures as legal cigarettes, meaning they may contain harmful chemicals and toxins at higher levels.
This puts smokers at risk of developing serious health conditions such as lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Another danger of contraband cigarettes is the potential for organized crime and gang activity. The illegal trade of cigarettes is a lucrative business, and criminal organizations may use the profits to fund other illegal activities.
This poses a threat to public safety, as these criminal organizations may resort to violence and other forms of illegal activity to protect their interests.
Potential penalties
The buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used in committing such offences can be seized.
| Type of Offence | Composition Amount |
|---|---|
| Failure to declare or making an incorrect declaration of cigarettes | 1st offence: S$200 per packet or per 20 sticks or part thereof 2nd offence: S$500 per packet or per 20 sticks or part thereof 3rd offence: S$800 per packet or per 20 sticks of part thereof |