Import License requirement for sand and granite
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) of Singapore has implemented an import License Scheme for the importation of sand and granite. The license requirements took effect 15 April 2011 and require importers to apply for a license from the BCA prior importation of the following materials which are suitable for use in any building works, street works or railway works in Singapore:
- Granite – whereby aggregate gravel, stone or overburden which size shall not be more than 75 millimetres at its widest part.
- Sand – excludes any unwashed or unprocessed marine-dredged sand or gravel.
The following imports of sand and granite is exempted from the Scheme:
- Any consignment of not more than 50 kg
- Any consignment solely for use in land reclamation works along the coast of Singapore and in any ship or vessel without landing in Singapore
The below table lists the applicable HS codes and Product codes for essential construction materials (sand and granite) for which the licence requirement may be applicable.
| HS code | HS Code description | Product code | Product code description |
| 25051000 | Silica and quartz sands (TNE) | BCASWM | Washed or processed marine sand |
| BCASPS | Processed land / river sand | ||
| BCASLS | Land sand | ||
| BCASRS | River sand | ||
| BCASUM | Unwashed or unprocessed marine sand | ||
| 25059000 | Other natural sands (TNE) | BCASWM | Washed or processed marine sand |
| BCASPS |
Processed land / river sand
|
||
| BCASLS | Land sand | ||
| BCASRS | River sand | ||
| BCASUM | Unwashed or unprocessed marine sand | ||
| BCAOTHERS1 | Clayey, felsphatic, kaolinic sand (not for construction use) | ||
| 25161100 | Granite crude or roughly trimmed (TNE) | BCAGO4 | Granite dust / granite fine aggregates |
| BCAG10 | Granite, 5-10MM | ||
| BCAG14 | Granite, 12,5-14MM | ||
| BCAG20 | Granite, 20MM | ||
| BCAG50 | Granite, graded stones (max 50mm) | ||
| BCAG75 | Granite, crushed run (max 75mm) | ||
| BCAGQW | Quarry waste | ||
| BCAOTHERG1 | Granite (more than 75mm) | ||
| 25171000 | Pebbles gravel broken stone for concrete aggregates road and railway or other ballast (TNE) | BCAOTHERG2 | Gravel, pebbles, Shingles and stone excluding granite materials |
| 25174900 | Granules chippings and powder of other stones of heading 2515 or 2516 (TNE) | BCAGO4 | Granite dust / granite fine aggregates |
| BCAG10 | Granite, 5-10mm | ||
| BCAG14 | Granite, 12.5-14mm | ||
| BCAGQW | Quarry waste | ||
| BCAOTHERG3 | Sandstone or mable (chippings, granules and powder) |
New regulations for safer consumer goods
The Singapore government have introduced new consumer protection regulations to enhance the safety of consumer goods on the Singapore market. The new regulations entered into effect on 1 April 2011 with the aim to protect users from unsafe consumer goods. Goods covered under the regulations include toys, children’s products, apparels, sports and recreation products, furniture, etc.
SPRING Singapore has been appointed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) as the Safety Authority to administer the new regulations. As a result, Spring Singapore has the power to investigate, stop the supply / sale of, or ban unsafe consumer goods that do not meet applicable safety standards from entering the Singapore market. In addition to performing regulatory and enforcement functions, SPRING Singapore will also be able to direct suppliers to inform users of the potential danger of such goods.
Upon implementation, the new regulations will contribute to bringing the safety of consumer goods in Singapore in line with international standards as published by bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), or the European Committee for Standardisation or ASTM International (US).
The following list of consumer goods does not fall under the new regulations as they are separately regulated under other existing regulations:
- Food products and utensils containing/contacting food or beverages
- Cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and Chinese proprietary medicines
- Motor vehicles
- Motorcycle helmets and children car seats
- 45 categories of household electrical, electronic and gas products (Controlled Goods)
Retailers who do not comply with SPRING Singapore’s directions will face a maximum fine of SG$10,000 and /or two-year imprisonment.
