Tax Free Shopping
in Singapore
01
Go Shopping
Go shopping and while paying, remember to ask for a Global Blue Tax Free Form. Request a GST refund to your credit card in 2 business days*.
* In some cases, there may be a delay from your card scheme or issuer in processing the transaction to your account.
Here’s what you need to know to shop Tax Free:
Country VAT rates
How much you need to spend minimum
Who is eligible?
- Shoppers who are not a citizen or permanent residents of Singapore
- Shoppers who are over the age of 16 at the time of purchase
- Shoppers who are not a member of airline crew departing out of Singapore
A Shopper who is not a ‘specified person’ at any time within the 3 months immediately before the date of purchase, on the date of purchase, or on the date the refund claim is made at the airport.
A 'specified person’ refers to an individual who holds or has held any of the following passes or identification cards:
x Any work passes issued by the Ministry of Manpower
x Dependent Pass, Long Term Visit Pass or Long Term Visit Pass-Plus;
x Student's Pass
x Identification Cards issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
And who is:
- A diplomat, consular officer, any administration, technical or service staff or other staff appointed to or employed in any foreign Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in Singapore;
- Staff appointed to or employed in an International Organisation, Representative Office or Trade Office in Singapore; or
- A spouse or dependent child of any individual mentioned in (1) and (2) above
The information was extracted from the e-tax guide published by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), effective 4 April 2019. For more details, please refer to IRAS’s website at www.iras.gov.sg (Under Quick links > e-Tax Guides > Keyword Search “Tourist Refund”)
Tax Free Goods
Refunds are paid on items that are exported in the shoppers personal luggage.
Items that are purchased for business or commercial purposes are not eligible for tax refund.
Exported items must be unused.
Non Refundable goods:
- Food
- Services
- Food
- Services
Important Information to shop Tax Free in Singapore
The GST refund application must be issued at the time of sale of goods.
Present your original passport with a valid Electronic Visit Pass (e-Pass) sent digitally through email to the store staff. They will digitally capture your passport details to assist you in applying for a GST refund.
Photocopies or images of your passport are not acceptable.
With Global Blue’s Mobile Customer Care, you will receive real-time updates on your Tax Free transaction whenever you shop in Singapore when you provide your email address or a working mobile number.
This ultimate convenience is exclusive to Global Blue Merchants & Shoppers.
Find a Store
Search to find your nearest Store
02
Get Customs Validation
Find the nearest Customs Office or self-validation Kiosk, if available. Get your Tax Free Form validated when you leave the country.
Time limit for validating your form
2 months from the date of purchase. However, the tourist must depart Singapore with the goods within 12 hours after the form is validated and stamped.
Validity of stamped Form
Claim the refund from the Central Refund Counter at Changi / Seletar Airport within 2 months after the form is validated and stamped
Important information to validate your Tax Free Form in Singapore
At the Airport - eTRS self-help kiosk
With your purchases, receipts, original passport and travel documents, proceed to an eTRS self-help kiosk.
Scan your passport at the eTRS self-help kiosk to retrieve your Tax Free transaction details. Follow the instructions shown to complete the tax refund process. Allow time for the refund process before your flight departs.
Do not pack away your purchases in your check-in luggage. You may be required to present your shopping goods and original invoice/receipt at the Customs Inspection Counter.
Local information
- For verification purposes, the Singapore Customs may require you to present your purchases, original receipt(s), passport and boarding pass or confirmed air ticket.
- Within 2 months from the date of purchase, you must complete the GST refund procedure using your original passport via an eTRS self-help kiosk and depart with the purchases via Changi Airport or Seletar Aiport.
- Upon approval of the GST refund, you must depart from Singapore with the goods, within the next 12 hours.
- Cash refunds must be claimed using the original passport at the GST Cash Refund Counter within 2 months from the date of approval.
Find a Customs office
Search to find your nearest Customs office
03
Receive Your Refund
For cash refunds, present the validated Tax Free Form at the Central Refund Counter. For a faster credit card (VISA, Mastercard or Union Pay) refund paid within 2 business days*, please check the refund method selected in store, or through your Global Blue App and Mobile Customer Care.
* In some cases, there may be a delay from your card scheme or issuer in processing the transaction to your account.
Important information to get your refund with Form issued in Singapore
At the eTRS self-help kiosk, select credit card or Alipay Refund options as the mode of receiving your refund. Selecting credit card refund will result in the reimbursement of your tax refund to your credit card, within 10 working days.
The cash refund option is only available for tourists departing from Changi Airport.
If you have opted for a cash refund, proceed to the GST Cash Refund Counter located in the Departure Transit Lounge, after immigration, to receive your refund in cash or refund via Alipay.
For passengers departing via Seletar Airport, only credit card and cheque refund options are available.
KINDLY NOTE:
For a cash refund value exceeding SGD7,500 from a single or accumulated from multiple receipts, an administration fee ranging from SGD100 to SGD199 is payable to the GST Cash Refund Counter.
Central Refund Counter
All payments (including credit card or bank cheque) for GST refunds in Singapore are processed by Global Tax Free (GTF).
Should you wish to check the status of your refund, please contact GTF.
Telephone: +65 6513 3756 (Mon - Fri : 9.00am to 6.00pm) and +65 6546 5074 (after office hours, during weekend and during Public Holidays).
Find a Refund office
Search to find your nearest Refund office
Tax Free Shopping Articles
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Whilst in-store, choose credit card refund to get your GST refund swiftly within 2-5 days, saving you time at the airport.
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Bossini Global Blue Mastercard® Tourist Privileges
Unlock exclusive discounts with Global Blue and Mastercard! Enjoy $30 off with a minimum spend of $250 storewide and opt for LIGHTENING-FAST credit card refund on your Mastercard.