From uncertainty, barriers and supply flow disruption at borders to clear direction — navigate trade with confidence
Customs and Trade
A closer look at Singapore’s customs and trade environment
Singapore is recognised around the globe as one of the easiest countries for business, thanks to its open and transparent trade environment. Nevertheless, companies would be reckless to overlook compliance requirements upon import and export, especially in today’s challenging international trading environment, as Singapore Customs expects compliance in all trade-related matters.
Your challenges
Many organisations employ resources in Singapore to manage trade and customs matters across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. As customs authorities apply different rules and practices across jurisdictions, managing compliance can quickly become devilishly complex.
With rising geopolitical tensions, trade compliance complexities will continue to burgeon for trade compliance roles. Challenges related to imports, exports, transit, transshipment, and strategic goods are expected to intensify, impacting businesses across the board.
Getting this right not only reduces the risk of delays and penalties, but creates competitive advantage that can quickly put money in the bank.
Frank Debets
Asia Pacific Customs and Trade Leader, PwC Singapore
“Despite the ongoing tariff uncertainties, inaction is increasingly a lifestyle choice, not a strategy – especially if it is not based on impact research, analysis, and evaluation of options. We focus on steering Singapore companies confidently towards making the most out of global trade even in a challenging landscape.”
Your trusted partner in Customs and Trade
Since 1992, PwC’s Customs and Trade Practice has brought together a multidisciplinary team of professionals with first-hand experience navigating customs and trade rules. Our regional network includes more than 200 customs and trade consultants, backed by our collaborative global network. Over the years, we have served hundreds of clients in Singapore and across the region, of all sizes and across many industries.
We have a strong project management team in Singapore with extensive experience running global and regional projects, having successfully executed numerous projects for clients, including end-to-end Free Trade Agreement and duty optimisation, import/export compliance management, market entry, and distribution/manufacturing hub location.
Invariably this work is not limited to customs and trade matters only but sees us work together with our colleagues in strategy, supply chain, and tax advisory to ensure business sustainable outcomes.
We also work closely with key government and industry stakeholders, including the Economic Development Board through our Trade Advisory Hub, Enterprise SG through our BizAdapt and MRA grant work, the Singapore Business Federation as a knowledge partner, and the EU ASEAN Business Council through its Trade and Customs Committee.
We are pioneers in the development and deployment of technology-enabled but human-led customs and trade solutions.
We’re with you every step of the way
We provide a full suite of customs and trade-related advisory services across the trade spectrum:
Targeting a new market and getting products there are two very different things. We help determine product classifications, apply the right tariff treatment, obtain necessary licenses, design trade-facilitated models using optimal terms of trade and duty suspension, or reduction options.
1
Getting products in
When goods are in-market, the right customs strategy matters. We help businesses apply the appropriate duty treatment for the intended use of goods, support manufacturing models to reduce tariff impacts—for example through bonded schemes, unlock available Free Trade Agreement benefits, and speed up shipments through use of available trade facilitation schemes.
2
Operating efficiently in the market
Exports used to be simple. That’s no longer the case. An increasing network of sanctions and territorial and extra-territorial strategic goods controls impeded the ability to sell and ship products overseas. Origin determination, labelling, and invoicing are increasingly being challenged in overseas markets. We help companies navigate these controls and challenges with confidence.
3
Getting products out
Effective and efficient trade and customs management requires the right balance between central expertise and consistency and on-the ground knowledge. We help businesses organise their teams and strategy, develop policies and SOPS, and track, measure, and manage their regional trade footprint. The outcome: Achieving robust governance with tech-enabled and human-led solutions, while keeping cost efficient.
4
Managing trade across multiple markets
Explore our services
Creating value
We create value through structuring and implementing smart import/export planning that are aligned to the direction of your business.
- Efficient import pricing
- Location studies
- New market entry
- Import tariff reliefs
- FTA strategy
- AEO programmes
- Bulk permits
Technology and AI
We enhance efficiency through PwC’s leading technology and AI solutions, designed to evolve with your business needs and harness the latest AI capabilities.
- Regulatory updates
- Import / export declaration validation
- Tariff scenario planning
- Origin determination
Managing risks
We manage risks by having robust defence procedures and documentation to resolve customs challenges, audits, and investigations.
- Customs value documentation
- Sanctions and export controls management
- ESG trade requirements
- Audit support and dispute resolution
Ensuring compliance
We ensure compliance through conducting proactive self-assessments, implementing standard operating procedures, training, and securing advance rulings.
- Policy, process, and procedure design
- “Mock” audits
- Advance rulings
- Tariff classification
- 3PL management
Taking an end-to-end view of trade
Taking an end-to-end view of trade
As tariffs and trade restrictions become a permanent feature of the business landscape, companies are being forced to connect customs, tax, supply chains, and market strategy. Those taking an end-to-end approach are finding real value in trade planning.
Trade Advisory Hub
Trade rules continue to evolve rapidly, putting billions on the line. Managing international trade has never been more of a strategic priority. At PwC Singapore, our Trade Advisory Hub is here to help you navigate, manage, and boost your global trade flows with confidence.
Trade Intelligence
We monitor, analyse, and clarify the cross-border trade regulatory landscape daily, to bring you newest insights in our market-leading bi-monthly publication, Trade Intelligence Asia Pacific.
* Should you be interested in a tailored, curated version of this, please reach out to us.
Our network
Being one the most extensive customs and trade advisory service in this region, we have a network of more than 100 dedicated consultants in Asia Pacific, and 450 consultants in over 60 countries worldwide.
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