Foreign traveller, 55, caught making inaccurate declaration when moving S$399,965 into S'pore

A multi-agency enforcement operation between May 21 and 27 across the land, air, and sea checkpoints saw 14 travellers caught moving cash exceeding S$20,000 into and out of Singapore without declaration or with inaccurate declaration.

153 travellers were also caught for customs offences.

The operation involved officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Customs (Customs), National Parks Board (NParks), and Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

In a press release on May 31, the agencies said it was part of continual efforts by the authorities to detect and enforce against non-compliance with Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) and other illegal cross-border activities.

During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints.

More than 19,000 travellers and 1,600 vehicles were identified for checks, and more than 26,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched.

CBCRR Offences

14 travellers in total were caught moving cash exceeding S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) into and out of Singapore without declaration or with inaccurate declaration during the operations.

On May 21, 2025, four male foreign travellers, aged between 26 and 71, were separately detected bringing cash of various currencies amounting to between S$20,700 and S$380,139 into or out of Singapore.

They were found to have made an inaccurate declaration, or not having made the required declaration.

On May 23, 2025, a 55-year-old male foreign traveller was detected making an inaccurate declaration when moving cash consisting of S$399,965 and MYR1,621 into Singapore. The cash is suspected to be derived from the traveller’s unlicensed moneylending activities.

Similar cases were discovered on May 22, 24, 25, 26 and 27 as well.

Of these 14 travellers, four were issued with Notices of Warning, seven were issued with composition sums amounting to S$27,000, while investigations into the remaining three travellers are ongoing.

Amongst the three travellers still under investigation, one of them was charged with an offence of possessing property which represented his benefits from criminal conduct.

CBCRR

Director of the commercial affairs department David Chew said that smuggling cash across borders is a way by which criminals launder proceeds of crime and that Singapore will not tolerate such activities.

The CBCRR is implemented to curb money laundering, terrorist financing and other criminal activities, the press release stated.

Since May 13, 2024, the CBCRR penalties have been enhanced to strengthen deterrence.

While there are no limits on the amount of cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) that can be brought into or out of Singapore, it is mandatory to report amounts exceeding S$20,000 (or foreign equivalent).

Travellers must submit a declaration electronically within 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore via:

• The MyICA mobile app (“Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration”), or
• ICA’s website: https://go.gov.sg/cbnideclaration

Those entering Singapore can also declare CBNIs after submitting their Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) on the app or website.

Failure to report or accurately declare amounts above S$20,000 is an offence under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act. Offenders face fines up to S$50,000, imprisonment up to three years, or both.

Confiscation orders may also be issued on the undeclared funds.

Customs offences

153 travellers in total were caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on:

• Cigarettes or tobacco products
• Liquor exceeding duty-free allowance; and/or
• Goods exceeding GST import relief allowances, such as souvenirs and gifts.

The total duty and GST evaded amounted to S$10,754, and S$35,165 in composition sums were imposed.

The cases included a traveller carrying 20 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, another with undeclared luxury goods and POPMART toys, and a third with four litres of Chinese liquor in excess of duty-free allowances.

All the offences were compounded.

Under the Customs Act, individuals involved in the fraudulent evasion of customs or excise duties may face a fine of up to 20 times the amount evaded or imprisonment of up to two years.

Travellers are encouraged to declare and make payment for dutiable and taxable goods up to three days before arrival using the Customs@SG Web Application, which is also available on the MyICA mobile app.

All cigarettes and tobacco products must also comply with the standardised packaging requirements, while non-compliant products will be disposed of at the checkpoints.

Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act offences

On May 26, five male travellers aged between 26 and 45 were caught in possession of e-vaporisers upon entering Singapore.

Officers from the HSA seized five e-vaporisers, and issued fines to the travellers.

ICA said that safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority for them and vowed to work with the relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling.

Top photos from various agencies