Motorised personal mobility devices and power assisted bicycles
- 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.
From 28 June 2021, under the Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020, all importers of Power-Assisted Bicycles ("PABs") and motorised Personal Mobility Devices ("PMDs") are required to obtain approval from the Land Transport Authority ("LTA") before importing such devices into Singapore.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
The Import Control Regime ("ICR") applies to PABs and motorised PMDs imported into Singapore under Harmonised System codes 87116092, 87116094 and 87116095.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The ICR applies to all PABs and motorised PMDs imported into Singapore regardless of where such goods originate from.
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?
The ICR is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. It is an upstream measure to stem the inflow of non-compliant PABs and non-compliant motorised PMDs into Singapore. It reinforces the government's existing efforts to promote public path and fire safety in the use of active mobility devices.
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 ICR is legislatively maintained under the Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020 and it is not possible to abolish the ICR without the relevant legislative approval(s). All importers of PABs and motorised PMDs shall obtain approval from the LTA before importing such devices into Singapore.
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)?
To avoid delays, importers are advised to apply for an import permit before the goods arrive in Singapore. LTA typically requires up to three working days to process the import permit application submitted via TradeNet, after all necessary documents to support the permit application have been submitted.
TradeNet is Singapore's National Single Window for trade declaration and all permit applications to import PABs and/or motorised PMDs submitted via TradeNet are routed to LTA for approval.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
While it is possible for an import permit to be granted immediately on request, any such urgent request is assessed on a case-by-case basis provided all necessary documents to support the permit application have been submitted to LTA.
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.
No limitations as to the period/time of the year during which applications for import permits may be submitted via TradeNet.
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 import permit application received via TradeNet for PABs and motorised PMDs imports, are effected by LTA only.
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?
No prescribed circumstances whereby an application for import permit is refused approval other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria, such as not providing the required supporting documents with the permit application. Importers are notified the reason(s) if their permit application is being rejected.
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?
All persons or firms can apply for a permit to import PABs and motorised PMDs provided they have a trade related account maintained with Singapore Customs. LTA does not require importers to maintain a separate account or to pay a registration fee before they are allowed to apply for an import permit.
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?
LTA does not require importers to submit additional forms beyond what is required by Singapore Customs for importers to apply for import permits.
In addition to other trade related information required/prescribed by Singapore Customs when applying for an import permit, information/documents required by LTA as proof of import and for identification of goods to be imported includes:
- Manufacturer's sales receipt and invoice;
- Packing list and ocean bill of lading (for sea shipments) or airway bill (for air shipments);
- Certificate of conformity with EN15194:2017 (for PABs) or UL2272 certificate of compliance (for motorised PMDs), from accredited certification body; and
- Vehicle specifications list including device model, weight, width, maximum speed and maximum continuous rated power of the motor (for PABs).
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
No additional documents (beyond what had been submitted in the import permit applications) are required upon actual importation.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
The import permit fee payable (per device) for compliant and non-compliant devices is $30 and $90 respectively. Such permit fee is payable only if the permit application is approved via TradeNet.
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.
LTA does not require importers to maintain any deposit or advance payment before applying for an import permit.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
LTA neither prescribes a period of validity for the approved permits nor determine if approved permits can be extended or to what extent. Validity period (including extension) of approved import permits is subject to rules/requirements prescribed by Singapore Customs.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No penalty for non-utilization of approved import permits.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Approved import permits are consignment specific and is not transferrable between importers.
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?
No other conditions are attached to the approved import permits other than the implicit requirement that the goods imported are as per that declared in the approved permits.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No other administrative procedures are required before importation once import permit application has been approved.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
LTA neither require nor prescribe foreign exchange related matters for PABs and motorised PMDs imported under the ICR.