Criminals and terrorist financiers around the world have been known to use cash couriers as a means to physically move funds across borders, to finance their illicit activities or to launder their ill-gotten gains.
Since 1 November 2007, Singapore has imposed measures for the disclosure of information on movements of physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments (or CBNI) into and out of Singapore. The initiative is to facilitate the detection, investigation and prosecution of drug trafficking offences and serious crimes. This is consistent with international Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism standards recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body that develops and promotes such policies. Singapore is a member of the FATF.
This initiative is not a currency control measure. There is no restriction on the type or amount of cash which is moved into or out of Singapore.
Reporting Requirement
If you move physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments (or CBNI) exceeding SGD 20,000 (the prescribed amount) or its equivalent in a foreign currency into or out of Singapore, you are required to make a Cash Movement Report. If you receive CBNI exceeding the prescribed amount from outside Singapore, you are required to give a report within five business days upon receipt.
Examples of Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments
Exemptions
- A commercial passenger carrier is not required to give a report in respect of CBNI in the possession of its passengers.
- A commercial goods carrier is not required to give a report if the CBNI is carried on behalf of another person and the other person has not disclosed to the carrier that the goods carried include CBNI and the carrier does not know and has no reasonable ground to believe that the goods carried on behalf of the other person include CBNI.
Cash Movement Reports by Travellers
Cash Movement Reports by Senders, Carriers or Recipients
If you move physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments (or CBNI) exceeding the prescribed amount into or out of Singapore, through cargo, post or other means, you will need to complete the Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Report (Sender, Carrier or Recipient) or the Form NP 728.
For a sender or carrier moving physical currency and bearer negotiable instruments (or CBNI) into or out of Singapore, you will need to submit the completed Form NP 728 to the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office (STRO) no later than one business day before the moving of the CBNI. If it is not reasonably practicable to do so, you should submit the completed Form NP 728 to the STRO at the first opportunity and before the cash is moved.
If you receive CBNI exceeding the prescribed amount from outside Singapore, you are required to complete the Form NP 728 and submit it to the STRO within five business days upon receipt.
Punishment: A failure to give a full and accurate report is an offence under the Act. The punishment is a fine not exceeding SGD 50,000, or an imprisonment term not exceeding 3 years, or both. The cash may also be seized if the person fails to provide the report. The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) investigates offences relating to this initiative and takes enforcement action against persons who do not give a full and accurate report.
How to File a Cash Movement Report
Travellers entering or leaving Singapore on or after 13 May 2024 can submit a Physical Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments Report (Traveller) or Form NP 727 online within 72 hours before arrival in or departure from Singapore via:
- ICA’s website;
- MyICA Mobile Application; or
- After a successful submission of the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) on either ICA’s website or MyICA mobile application.
Senders, carriers or recipients can file a CMR electronically via STRO Online Notices And Reporting platform (SONAR).
| Form NP 727 (Travellers) |
Form NP 728 (Senders, Carriers or Recipients) |
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| Forms (in English) |
Not applicable |
Form NP 7282 |
| Form Guide (in English) |
Guide to Fill Up Form NP 7271 |
Guide to Fill Up Form NP 728 |
1This Form Guide is applicable for travellers entering or leaving Singapore on or after 13 May 2024.
2To avoid encountering the following error message, please make sure to download the original Form NP 728 and open it using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
3A SingPass or a CorpPass account is required in order to file a Form NP 728 electronically on SONAR. If you do not have a SingPass or CorpPass account:
- download and complete the form in softcopy, and print it out.
- Fields that are greyed out should be completed/handwritten.
- The form should be signed.
- Deliver the form by post or by hand to the STRO office at:
Head, Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office
Commercial Affairs Department
391 New Bridge Road #06-701
Police Cantonment Complex Block D
Singapore 088762
Completed forms sent by post should reach STRO no later than two business days before the moving of the CBNI.