Singapore Alcoholic Drink Regulation

1. Competent authority

 2. Market access approval

2.1 Importer registration

Importers must register with SFA before importing alcoholic drinks to Singapore. Before that, companies shall register with ACRA to get a Unique Entity Number (UEN) and activate their UEN with Singapore Customs through TradeNet. For more details, please refer to Step-by-Step Guide for New Application of Registration to Import Processed Food Products.

2.2 Import permit

Alcoholic drinks are regulated as “processed food” and can be imported into Singapore from any country or region, provided that they meet SFA’s conditions.  For each shipment entering Singapore, importers must apply for an import permit through TradeNet. The application requires submission of relevant supporting documents and payment of applicable fees. Detailed requirements can be found in import permit application.

It shall be noted that absinthe is considered a high-risk alcoholic drink subject to the Regulated Source Programme. To import and sell absinthe in Singapore, enterprises need to comply with the following requirements:

• thujone (alpha and beta) in the alcoholic beverage does not exceed 5 parts per million (ppm) if the alcoholic beverage contains not more than 25% alcohol.

• thujone (alpha and beta) in the alcoholic beverage does not exceed 10 parts per million (ppm) if the alcoholic beverage contains more than 25% alcohol.

When applying for import permit for these products, importers are required to submit both the laboratory analysis report indicating the level of thujone present, as well as documentary proof from the relevant authority in the country of origin confirming that the product is allowed for sale

2.3 Inspection and sampling

All food consignments are subject to inspection, during which SFA collects samples for laboratory analysis. Inspection items include microbiological, pesticides, drug residues, preservatives, contaminants, and additives.

3. Product compliance

3.1 Product requirements

Alcoholic drinks in Singapore must comply with the product requirements in the Food Regulations. Please refer to the corresponding provisions in the Food Regulations for specific requirements.

 3.2 Label

Alcoholic drinks in Singapore should follow the labeling requirements in the Food Regulations. Importers can also refer to A Guide to Food Labelling and Advertisements.

In Singapore, labels shall be in English and printed in letters not less than 1.5mm in height. Like many other processed foods, imported alcoholic drinks must be labeled with product name, ingredients list, allergen declaration, quantity, country of origin, and name and address of the company as the importer, distributor or agent in Singapore.

The below labeling requirements regarding alcoholic drinks need attention:

• When cereals, whey and nuts are used as distillates for alcoholic beverages, or fish gelatine or isinglass as fining/clarifying agents in beer and wine, these ingredients are not required to be declared on the label.

• The common name of wine shall mean any words indicating the specific type of grapes from which the wine is made from, or the locality where the grapes originated, or the locality where the wine was made.

• Fruit wines cannot be labeled just as "wine" unless the name of the fruit immediately precedes the word "wine". The fruit name must be in letters of equal size and in color as the word "wine".

* Global Food Compliance Service

We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.

 Covered Countries

China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand etc.

Our Services

• Food Ingredient Review

• Label Review

• Product Registration

• Regulatory Consultation

• Monitoring, Training and customized report

Please feel free to contact us via [email protected] if you need any help.