Singapore is well used to commercial ties and business dealings because it is a highly commercial metropolis. The foreign shopper is very well taken care of in the city-state. All the foreign shopper needs is some good-sized expendable shopping money because in Singapore, shopping is a sport.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
In Singapore, a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is levied. Under the Tourist Refund Scheme, tourists who buy goods in Singapore from participating retailers can claim a refund of the paid GST if the goods are brought out of Singapore via Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport within two months from the date of purchase. If you are a tourist and have purchased at least S$100 at a single establishment that bears the Tax Free Shopping Logo, you are entitled to refund of the GST from the retailer or a central refund agency. Currently, there are two central refund agencies, Global Refund Singapore Pte Ltd and Premier Tax Free (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
Ask the retail shop for a shopping cheque that you can show at any of the Global Refund Counters at Changi Airport on your departure. Another option is to opt for a bank cheque by mail or a refund to your credit card. GST refunds are not applicable for land and cruise departures.
Global Refund GST Scheme
If you spend at least S$100 at any store in Singapore that is a Global Refund affiliated retailer displaying the “TAX FREE SHOPPING” logo, present your passport to the retailer to obtain a completed Global Refund Cheque. Have the cheque validated at the Singapore Customs counter at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 or 2 as proof of export. The goods purchased, receipts, as well as the Global Refund Cheque, must be presented for verification. You can then claim your GST refund at Global Refund counters in the airport in the form of cash, bank cheque, Airport Shopping Vouchers, or deposited to your credit card. A small handling fee will be deducted from the GST refund that is due you. No additional service charge is applied to refunds via credit card.
Receipts and Return Policies
Purchase receipts or cash slips are provided by all department stores and smaller retail shops. Ask for a receipt if the retailer fails to automatically furnish you with one. As in all places, these receipts are required if you wish to return the purchased goods. Larger shops and department stores will exchange goods if they are returned in good and original condition, and upon presentation of the pertinent receipt. Return of goods is allowed only within a certain number of days from date of purchase. The typical time allowed is three days from purchase date.
Warranty
Most goods come with a 12-month international warranty. The warranty card should indicate the correct details of the purchased product and is endorsed with the retailer’s stamp. Reputable shops will easily provide you with guarantee statements. Simply ignore the ones that will not do so. Lower-priced products may not always be accompanied by warranties.
Delivery
Some hotels provide services for parcel wrapping. Larger stores offer international shipping. Request for a written confirmation of your instructions so you can be assured of prompt delivery. An All Risk insurance which the shop can arrange for you will cover your purchases for damage in transit and loss. Your national diplomatic representative can provide you with the latest customs regulations of your country.
For goods sent to your home country via post, the Singapore Post can provide information on requirements and regulations for air and sea delivery. Post offices conduct business from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Export Permits
All weapons must be accompanied by export permits issued by the Singapore Arms and Explosives Branch, Police Cantonment Complex. This also covers swords and kris bought as souvenirs. Like many countries, Singapore also places restrictions on items that come from endangered species such as ivory and animal skins. If you are not assured that you can bring an item from Singapore back to your home country, a quick check with your national diplomatic representative will settle the confusion as to whether a permit can be granted or not.
Customer Complaints against Errant Retailers
Unfair retailer practices can be reported to the Singapore Tourism Board that strictly monitors for malpractices and rigorously deals with errant retailers. More severe and highly pressing complaints, as well as more complex claims, can be lodged directly with the Small Claims Tribunals (SCT). An administrative fee of S$10 is payable to the SCT.
You may also opt to lodge a claim against a retailer with the E@DR Centre of the Subordinate courts. The E@DR Centre offers a free on-line dispute resolution service. Your physical presence is not required. You may also file a claim with the Centre using email anytime during your travel or after you have returned home. All claims filed with the Centre are confidential.
CaseTrust
CaseTrust is an accreditation program, developed by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). This recognizes good business practices among store-based and web-based business establishments in Singapore. This serves as seal of good business standards indicating that shoppers can trust a particular business establishment. If you want to verify on a specific store or shop, you can check the list of CaseTrust members at the CASE website.
Via Frommer’s
