Singapore authorities have intensified border enforcement following a week-long multi-agency operation targeting undeclared cash movements and customs-related offences at land, air and sea checkpoints across the country.
The joint operation, conducted between 13 and 19 January 2026, involved officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs. It was aimed at detecting non-compliance with Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) as well as other illegal cross-border activities.
During the operation, enhanced checks were carried out on travellers and vehicles entering and leaving Singapore. More than 10,000 travellers and 260 vehicles were selected for inspections, while over 14,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry items were scanned or physically searched. The authorities said the scale of the checks reflected Singapore’s firm stance on border security and financial crime prevention.
Authorities uncover undeclared cash exceeding legal limits
The CBCRR forms part of Singapore’s broader efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious financial crimes. Under current regulations, travellers are required to declare any physical movement of cash or bearer negotiable instruments exceeding S$20,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency, when entering or departing Singapore.
During the operation, two foreign travellers were detected for breaching these requirements. In one case, a 46-year-old woman was found bringing in cash across multiple foreign currencies amounting to S$24,965 without making a declaration. She was issued a formal warning. In a separate incident, a 49-year-old man was caught attempting to take cash cheques totalling S$91,789 out of Singapore without declaring them. He was issued a composition sum of S$9,000.
Authorities reminded travellers that declarations must be submitted electronically within 72 hours before arrival or departure, either through the MyICA mobile application or ICA’s official website. Failure to declare, or making an inaccurate declaration, is a criminal offence that may result in fines of up to S$50,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both. In some cases, undeclared cash may also be confiscated.
Customs offences also detected during checks
Beyond cash-related offences, the operation also uncovered multiple customs violations. A total of 70 travellers were caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on dutiable items, including cigarettes, tobacco products, liquor exceeding duty-free limits, and goods surpassing Goods and Services Tax (GST) import relief thresholds.
The total amount of duty and GST evaded during the operation came to S$3,398, with composition sums amounting to S$21,990 imposed on offenders. Among the cases were travellers carrying undeclared roller blinds intended for commercial delivery, assorted luxury goods purchased overseas, and brand-new smartwatches. All cases were compounded.
Under the Customs Act, individuals involved in fraudulently evading customs or excise duties may face penalties of up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Travellers are encouraged to declare dutiable and GST-payable items in advance using the Customs@SG web application, which is also available via the MyICA app.
Authorities stress continued vigilance at borders
ICA stressed that safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority, particularly amid increasing cross-border travel and complex financial crime risks. The authority said it would continue working closely with partner agencies to detect and deter smuggling activities, protect Singapore’s financial integrity and ensure compliance with border regulations.
Travellers entering or leaving Singapore are reminded to familiarise themselves with declaration requirements and to make full and accurate disclosures. With enforcement efforts set to remain robust, authorities have signalled that lapses, whether intentional or otherwise, will be dealt with firmly to uphold public trust and national security.