Singapore: Selling and Buying

Reaching the Consumers

Marketing Opportunities

Consumer Behavior

Consumers keep in mind factors such as price, quality and service when making a purchasing decision.

After sales service is very important for the consumer in Singapore.

Singaporeans like new products, but they stay loyal to the brand names that they know.

Pricing has to be very competitive as bargaining is an acceptable shopping trait.

Consumer Profile and Purchasing Power

The consumer in Singapore has high standard of living and is a keen buyer of foreign products. Singaporeans are not only brand conscious but are very loyal and cautious too. They like to experiment with new products after getting assured about its quality and customer care service. The purchasing power is at par with most of the European countries.

Consumers Associations

CASE , Consumer Association of Singapore

Main Advertising Agencies

Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies (4As)

Distributing a Product

Evolution of the Sector

With the improved economy of Singapore, increasingly affluent consumers are more willing to spend. In addition, various new shopping malls such as VivoCity, Central and Ang Mo Kio Hub all stimulated the retail scene. Existing shopping malls such as Centrepoint, Tampines Mall and White Sands were also revamped, with new extensions built to accommodate more retailers in order to remain competitive. The influx of retailers to these new selling spaces further attracted consumers who increasingly visited them at weekends.

Market Shares

The distribution sector in Singapore is similar to the western countries, with a domination of the large-scale distribution network which carries out the majority of retail sales. The high standard of living of the Singaporean and their taste for Western products attract a lot of foreign groups to this 640 km² territory.

Organizations in the Retail Sector

Singapore Retailers Association
The Association of Shopping Centers

Market Access Procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer

Main International Economic Cooperation

Singapore does not belong to any Customs Union.It is a member of the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

It is a member of the ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations), AFTA and the ASEAN - China Free Trade Area.

It is a member of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting).

It is a member of the SEAT (Six East Asian Traders)

Singapore is a signatory to multilateral and bilateral agreements with many countries. Visit: IESinggapore.

Non Tariff Barriers

Import procedures in Singapore are very liberal. Most goods can enter the Singaporean territory without any restriction. Only a few products, such as chewing gum and weapons are banned. There is a license system required for about 6% of the total amount of imports and concerns fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, meat, animals, medicines, broadcasting products (automatic licenses) and also some sensitive products likely to represent a risk for health or the State (non automatic licenses). These licenses are generally issued by the International Enterprise Singapore. Some other institutions may be involved such as the Ministry of Health.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

Singapore is duty free except for products like automobiles, gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol. For more details, visit: Tariff Schedule

Customs Classification

Singapore applies the Harmonized Customs System.

Import Procedures

Firms importing goods into Singapore require making an inward declaration, in addition to having an import permit.

For details, visit: Import Procedure

Importing Samples

Goods entering the country temporarily for repair, stage performance etc. can do so without payment of duty or GST. Using an ATA carnet, foreign companies/exhibitors can import products into the country. For details, visit: Customs Singapore

For Further Information

Singapore Customs
Ministry of Trade and Industry

Organizing Goods Transport

Main Useful Means of Transport

Singapore has a well-developed and advanced transportation infrastructure.

The Port of Singapore , with 6 free-trade zones, is ranked second in the world in terms of container traffic. It is operated by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. It is also the world's busiest hub for transshipment traffic.

The airport of Singapore (international Changi airport) is considered as one of the best in the world. It is composed of two air terminals connected by monorail.

The road network consists of 8 highways. The objective of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), (under the Ministry of Communication and Information technology), is to promote ground transport for a better use of the city by developing public transport. The construction of 9 expressways and two highways (partially subterranean) of a total length of 155 km is in progress in the Eastern part of the island.

Ports

Port of Singapore

Airports

Changi Airport

Sea Transport Organizations

Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Port of Singapore Authority

Air Transport Organizations

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

Road Transport Organizations

Land Transport Authority (LTA)
Public Transport Council (PTC)

Rail Transport Organizations

Land Transport Authority (LTA)

Identifying a Supplier

Type of Production

Manufacturing and services are the twin engines of the Singapore economy and account for 25% and 70% respectively of country's GDP. The electronics and the chemical sectors are the two leading sectors of the manufacturing industry, each contributing nearly 30% to the GDP.

To maintain its competitive position despite rising wages, the government seeks to promote higher value-added activities in the manufacturing and services sectors. It also has opened the financial services, telecommunications, and power generation and retailing sectors to foreign service providers and greater competition.

Manufacturers Associations of the Main Industries

38 professional associations listed for Singapore.
Choose your sector AgricultureAutomotiveChemicals, pharmaceutical productsCommerce, retail, wholesaleConstruction, real estate, subtradesElectricity, electronicsFood industryFurniture, household equipment and artsHealth, medicineHorticulture, forestry, wood, paperJustice, lawMachine tools, machinery, roboticsManufacture, metals, mining & quarryingMechanical and precision engineeringServices BtoC/BtoB & other servicesTourism, sports, leisure, restaurant & hotelsTransport, logistics, handling

Trade Agencies and Their Representations Abroad

Singapore International Chamber of Commerce
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises

Enterprises Federation

Singapore Business Federation

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