Singapore arrival screening
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 12
Singapore arrival screening
When you arrive into Singapore (Changi) are each and every bags (checked in or hand luggage) checked, or do they randomly pick out people whom they want to check? I am used to chewing tobacco and it is now going to be prohibited in Singapore from August. I wanted to know if I can take some or just leave it behind.
In case I take some proper chewing tobacco (not drugs) will they just confiscate it or send me to jail? Earlier they would levy duty on it.
Do advise so I can plan my trip accordingly. Thanks.
In case I take some proper chewing tobacco (not drugs) will they just confiscate it or send me to jail? Earlier they would levy duty on it.
Do advise so I can plan my trip accordingly. Thanks.
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,892
Send an email to the proper authority and ask about the regulations. You will get your answer.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,665
When you arrive into Singapore (Changi) are each and every bags (checked in or hand luggage) checked, or do they randomly pick out people whom they want to check? I am used to chewing tobacco and it is now going to be prohibited in Singapore from August. I wanted to know if I can take some or just leave it behind.
In case I take some proper chewing tobacco (not drugs) will they just confiscate it or send me to jail? Earlier they would levy duty on it.
Do advise so I can plan my trip accordingly. Thanks.
In case I take some proper chewing tobacco (not drugs) will they just confiscate it or send me to jail? Earlier they would levy duty on it.
Do advise so I can plan my trip accordingly. Thanks.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Bargara Australia
Programs: VA, SQ, IHG, HH,ALL, Europcar
Posts: 1,530
Singapore is a great place to visit, it is very clean, has a VERY low crime rate, and everything works like clockwork.
The citizens all do military service.
It is rare to see a police officer or a customs offical while visiting Singapore, BUT believe you me they know whats going on.
So if you want to take something into Singapore that is illegal, expect to spend some time in a Singapore Jail.
If you need to travel with your chewbacca - my suggestion would be to leave it in the luggage storage area which is in each terminal for about $10 a day, drop it off before you go thru downstairs to arrivals processing, and collect it on departure before you go to the gate
Easy peasy
The citizens all do military service.
It is rare to see a police officer or a customs offical while visiting Singapore, BUT believe you me they know whats going on.
So if you want to take something into Singapore that is illegal, expect to spend some time in a Singapore Jail.
If you need to travel with your chewbacca - my suggestion would be to leave it in the luggage storage area which is in each terminal for about $10 a day, drop it off before you go thru downstairs to arrivals processing, and collect it on departure before you go to the gate
Easy peasy
#6
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,955
When you arrive into Singapore (Changi) are each and every bags (checked in or hand luggage) checked, or do they randomly pick out people whom they want to check.
In case I take some proper chewing tobacco (not drugs) will they just confiscate it or send me to jail? Earlier they would levy duty on it.
In case I take some proper chewing tobacco (not drugs) will they just confiscate it or send me to jail? Earlier they would levy duty on it.
Caveat -- Occasionally, flights are selected (for whatever reason) for arrival security screening, in which case all hand luggage is screened near the arrival gate. However I don't know if at this stage they screen for alcohol, tobacco, etc (I'd imagine they only screen for security threats but I'm just a random internet poster).
2nd question -- Extremely unlikely that you will be sent to jail assuming a reasonable quantity of chewing tobacco. Extremely likely that if you get caught, they will levy duties plus a significant fine.
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SIN
Programs: JL GC | Marriott LT Silver | Global Entry | SQ Silver
Posts: 6,818
My last stint in the military service about 1-2 years ago was military patrol in the three terminals in Changi Airport. Of all my visits to the airport getting ready to depart to another leisure destination, that was the first time I went to the airport for 'work'.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,480
Question #1: I've been screened 4 out of the last 5 arrivals NRT-IAD on UA/NH that lands late at night. There are multiple flights arriving at the nearly the same time in same terminal so not sure if that's a factor.
Be prepared for bags to be checked. If I were you, I would bring your chew on your person, not bags. Nobody's going to jail for this. They will likely just confiscate if discovered, with a warning.
Be prepared for bags to be checked. If I were you, I would bring your chew on your person, not bags. Nobody's going to jail for this. They will likely just confiscate if discovered, with a warning.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: sometimes SIN, sometimes JFK/LGA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM bis
Posts: 767
Question #1: I've been screened 4 out of the last 5 arrivals NRT-IAD on UA/NH that lands late at night. There are multiple flights arriving at the nearly the same time in same terminal so not sure if that's a factor.
Be prepared for bags to be checked. If I were you, I would bring your chew on your person, not bags. Nobody's going to jail for this. They will likely just confiscate if discovered, with a warning.
Be prepared for bags to be checked. If I were you, I would bring your chew on your person, not bags. Nobody's going to jail for this. They will likely just confiscate if discovered, with a warning.
Not quite. If during a search any tobacco products are found, there will be a substantial fine for failure to declare a restricted item (tobacco), as well as charges for excise taxes. There isn't an option to just walk away and allow confiscation. On the other hand, I think that upon payment of fines and taxes Customs will allow the tobacco to be brought in.
On the screening, it could be random, or it could be responding to a security alert. I've been on these UA/NH flights fairly often and am generally allowed to walk right through.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,480
(bold added)
Not quite. If during a search any tobacco products are found, there will be a substantial fine for failure to declare a restricted item (tobacco), as well as charges for excise taxes. There isn't an option to just walk away and allow confiscation. On the other hand, I think that upon payment of fines and taxes Customs will allow the tobacco to be brought in.
Not quite. If during a search any tobacco products are found, there will be a substantial fine for failure to declare a restricted item (tobacco), as well as charges for excise taxes. There isn't an option to just walk away and allow confiscation. On the other hand, I think that upon payment of fines and taxes Customs will allow the tobacco to be brought in.
YMMV of course but a real data point.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: sometimes SIN, sometimes JFK/LGA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.6MM bis
Posts: 767
I was speaking from personal experience. Always interested in your own experience of course. Customs confiscated a vape pen (2016) from a bag that was scanned before exit. I was taken to a room and asked to sign a paper consenting to the confiscation but no fine was levied. In essence a warning.
YMMV of course but a real data point.
YMMV of course but a real data point.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...es-sold-online