Construction materials - sand and granite
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/SGP/20
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 16/10/2024
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) regulates the import of sand and granite, used as construction materials. The import of each consignment requires an import permit from BCA. In addition, an importer of sand and granite must have a valid licence. The licensee can apply for a licence for import of either sand or granite or both.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
BCA’s import licensing scheme covers essential construction materials, specifically sand and granite.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The licensing system applies to products originating in and coming from all countries.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
BCA's import licensing procedures are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. They are maintained for the purpose of ensuring the quality of these essential construction materials for public safety reasons.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The laws, regulations and/or administrative orders under which the licensing procedures are maintained are listed in the Building and Construction Authority Act. The licensing requirements are statutorily required and published in government gazettes. While the administration of the licensing requirements is undertaken by BCA, the designation of products to be subjected to licensing and the abolishment of any licensing system require legislative approval.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Applications should be made in advance of arrival of the goods. The time taken for processing the licence applications falls within the periods stipulated in the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Processing time will be required.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There are no limitations on the period of the year during which applications for permit / licence and/or importation may be made.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Consideration of licence application is effected by a single administrative body (i.e. BCA). The importer does not have to approach more than one administrative body.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
An application for an import permit/licence is usually granted if it meets the stipulated criteria. In the event of a refusal for issuance, the reason(s) is/are generally provided.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
Generally, all persons, registered firms and institutions are eligible to apply for the import permit/licence. All importers licensed to carry on business of importing essential construction materials will be listed on the Register of Licensed Importers, which is accessible for free on BCA's website.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
For Import Permit, the following information must be declared in the application: licence number issued by BCA; HS Code and Product Code; Product Quantity (in TNE); Source Code; Landing Point; In-Transport Mode; Port of Loading Code; Vessel Name/Vehicle Registration Number; and Arrival Date.
For Importer's Licence, application will largely require the particulars of importer and the company. The following supporting documents are also required:
- The latest copy of business profile from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority;
- The procurement plan; and
- For an incorporated entity, copies of a duly passed resolution to the effect that it is duly authorised to carry on the business of an importer of essential construction materials and its memorandum and articles of association.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation, most importers are required to make an Inward Declaration showing the correct description and quantities of each consignment made electronically through TradeNet. Shipping documents such as the Bill of Lading/ Airway Bill and invoice are also required.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Licensing fees are required for the following classes of licences:
- For Import Permit, a fee of S$0.12 per tonne or part thereof of the consignment to which the import permit is to relate; or S$10, whichever is higher.
- For Importer's Licence, an application/renewal fee of S$120. Application fee for a hardcopy of an Importer's Licence is S$30 per copy.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issuance of licences.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
An Importer’s Licence is valid for one year. Import permit will cease to be valid once the importation of the concerned products is effected. The validity of these licence and permit may be extended by renewal.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of licence or a portion of it.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable without the approval in writing from the relevant authority.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
There are no other conditions attached to the issuance of BCA’s import permit and importers’ licence.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
The sand and granite import must meet the Test Requirements in BCA Testing Requirements for Imported Aggregates, in order to be determined to be of acceptable quality for use as construction materials in Singapore. The testing requirements comprise three stages:
- Pre-import test (S1 test);
- Confirmation test (S2 test) on first consignment from a new source; and
- Random test (S3 test) on subsequent consignments imported.
For new sources, importers are also required to seek BCA's approval for a storage permit and an isolation location plan.