S$1.25 million in undeclared cash seized at S'pore borders in 1 day

11 travellers were caught with more than S$20,000 each, in cash or its equivalent in foreign currencies, into or out of Singapore, after the Singaporean authorities conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation between Oct. 9 and 15 at international checkpoints.

This included individuals attempting to move about S$1,249,666 in cash of various currencies into Singapore on a single day, according to a joint news release on Oct. 18, 2025.

Undeclared cash

Between Oct. 9 and 15, officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs (Customs), and Health Science Authority (HSA) conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation at Singapore’s Land, Air, and Sea Checkpoints.

The operation identified more than 14,000 travellers and 280 vehicles for checks, and more than 11,700 pieces of luggage were searched or scanned.

Singaporean authorities caught 11 travellers moving cash exceeding $20,000, or its equivalent in foreign currencies, into and out of Singapore without declaration, or with incorrect declarations.

In a joint press release, the Singapore authorities identified four instances.

Four instances

The first occurred on Oct. 10, involving a 52-year-old male foreigner, who was travelling into Singapore with MYR 70,000 (S$21,504) worth of cash without declaration.

On Oct. 11, four male foreigners were separately detected moving cash of various currencies amounting to S$42,337 into Singapore without declaration.

The four men were aged between 45 and 60 years old.

On Oct. 13, four foreign travellers between the ages of 37 and 44 years old were separately detected moving S$1,249,666 in cash of various currencies into Singapore.

The travellers had either made inaccurate declarations or not made the required declarations for the cash.

On Oct. 14, two foreign travellers were separately found to be moving cash amounts of S$43,604 and S$50,000 into Singapore, in cash of various currencies.

The travellers were aged 34 and 41 years old, and neither had made the required declaration for the cash.

Four of the 11 travellers were issued Notices of Warning, six were issued with composition sums amounting to S$24,000.

Investigations into the remaining traveller are ongoing.

Money Laundering

Director of the SPF’s Commercial Affairs Department, David Chew, said that cross-border cash smuggling is a well-known way of money laundering, and is used by criminal organisations to obscure the origins of illicit proceeds.

Singapore maintains a “zero-tolerance” approach towards cash smuggling.

Through the implementation of its comprehensive “Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime” (CBCRR), it aims to” identify and intercept suspicious physical movements of currency and bearer negotiable instruments”.

While aiming to “interdict illicit cash flows”, Singapore intended to allow “bona fide” travellers to carry cash to Singapore, which was not illegal as long as cash exceeding S$20,000 was declared.

Travellers are required to submit an electronic declaration within 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore by downloading the MyICA mobile app and selecting the “Submit Cash Declaration” or submitting a declaration at ICA’s website.

Failure to do so was an offence, and offenders are liable for a fine of up to S$50,000, or three years imprisonment.

Duty to declare GST

During this time, 62 travellers were also caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on cigarettes or tobacco products, and goods exceeding their GST import relief allowances.

Singaporean authorities found that the total duty and GST evaded amounted to S$7,351, and imposed a total composition sum of S$20,615.

These included travellers failing to declare and pay taxes on 33 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, branded watches, cosmetics and clothing, as well as car wipers and undeclared compact discs.

Compact Discs are a type of electronic-optical media used for the storage of data and music.

The operation also managed to catch 14 travellers between the ages of 25 and 65 in possession of e-vaporisers, as well as a total of 395 e-vaporisers and related components.

A 25-year-old traveller was also caught with 11 sachets of chewing tobacco.

All travellers caught were fined.

Under a new enforcement regime that came into force on Sep. 1 this year, those found possessing, using, or purchasing e-vaporisers will now face higher penalties, including rehabilitation and fines, with penalties rising if offenders are found reoffending.

Those caught importing, distributing, selling or offering to sell smokeless tobacco are liable for a fine of S$10,000 for a first offence, and fines of up to S$20,000, up to 12 months imprisonment, or both if found reoffending.

Top image via Singapore Police Force