With effect from 1 June 2025, the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department will be known as the Police Regulatory Department (PRD), and the Arms and Explosives Division will be known as the Guns Explosives and Weapons Division (GEWD).
Please be assured that these are name changes only and our services to the public remain unchanged. No action is required from you.
Counter Service by Appointment Only
For counter services at the Police Regulatory Department, please make a booking via BookingSg by visiting the following link at https://www.go.gov.sg/prdbooking.sg
For other enquiries, you can reach us using FormSG at https://www.go.gov.sg/spf-prd. Alternatively, you may also contact us by phone at 6835 0000.
We look forward to serving you as the Police Regulatory Department
Overview of Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Regime
The Guns Explosives and Weapons Division (GEWD) of the Police Regulatory Department (PRD) regulates guns, explosives, explosive precursors, weapons and noxious substances (collectively known as GEW) under the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 (GEWCA).
Operationalisation of the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 (GEWCA)
The Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 (GEWCA) was operationalised on 1 July 2025, replacing the Arms and Explosives Act 1913 (AEA). This marks a significant update to Singapore's regulatory framework for controlling guns, explosives, and weapons.
Key Changes
- Enhanced punishments and penalties
- Criminalize unauthorized possession of 3D-printed guns blueprint
- Align the regulatory requirements of physical shop dealers and e-commerce platforms
- Inclusion of desensitized explosives currently regulated by SCDF
- Inclusion of additional weapons eg. karambit knives, axes
- New licence types (ie. Bundled licences)
- Longer licence tenure (up to 3 years)
- New Class Licensing framework for low-risk users and items
What This Means For Stakeholders
Current licence holders under the AEA will transition to the new GEWCA framework. Existing licences will remain valid until their expiry dates, after which renewal will be under GEWCA requirements.
Implementation Timeline
- 1 July 2025: GEWCA comes into effect
- AEA was repealed upon GEWCA implementation
- Transition period provisions will be in place to ensure smooth migration of existing licensees
The Industry Engagement Session presentation materials are available for download.
Summary of Penalties
|
Offence |
Penalty |
|
Possession of gun without licence |
Imprisonment of 5 to 20 years and a minimum of 6 strokes of the cane |
|
Trafficking in guns |
Death penalty |
|
Possession of bullet/ammunition without licence |
Up to 10 years' imprisonment + fine |
|
Manufacture/import/export/transport of explosives without licence |
Fine up to $100,000 or up to 2 years' jail or both |
|
Possession of explosive precursors without licence |
Fine up to $100,000 or up to 2 years’ jail or both |
|
Breach of licence condition |
Fine up to $25,000 or up to 2 years’ jail (or both); higher for repeat |
|
Possession of offensive weapons in public |
Imprisonment up to 3 years and minimum 6 strokes of the cane |
|
Import/possession of noxious substance without licence |
Fine and/or jail; substance will be forfeited |
|
Possession/distribution of digital blueprints for 3D-printed guns |
Fine up to $100,000 or up to 2 years’ jail or |
Informationon TradeNet Application
Submission of TradeNet Permit Application for Import, Export or Transhipment of Items Regulated by Guns Explosives and Weapons Division (GEWD) of the Police Regulatory Department (PRD)
Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021
The Guns Explosives and Weapons Division (GEWD) of the Police Regulatory Department (PRD) regulates the import, export and transhipment of guns, explosives, explosive precursors, weapons and noxious substances (collectively known as GEW), under the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 (GEWCA).
Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulation
PRD also regulates the following items under Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations:
Controlled Imports, Exports and Transhipment
(a) Articles of clothing intended as protection against attack, including bullet-proof vests
(b) Helmets intended as protection in military combat
(c) Toy or replica guns
(d) Toy or replica explosives, grenades, ammunitions or improvised explosive devices (IED)
(e) Handcuffs
TradeNet Requirements
When applying for a Customs permit for GEW, the declarant is required to fill in all the following mandatory fields:
- Importer Name & UEN
- Licence No. (enter the relevant Licence Number issued by GEWD in this field)
- Place of Receipt Information
- Place of Release Information
- Country/Region of Origin and/or Country/Region of Final Destination
- Port of Loading & Release
- Transport Mode
- Date of Arrival / Departure
- Goods Description (enter the Product Description required by GEWD in this field)
- HS Code*
- CA/SC Product Code*
- Quantity of CA/SC Product*
- Unit Measurement of Quantity of CA/SC Product*
* Please ensure that the declared Quantity and Unit of Measurement for the Product Code is the same as the HS Code.
Documents Required
Declarant must also upload the following supporting documents (where applicable) to TradeNet as part of the permit application:
- For Import – Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill, Invoice, Packing list and End-User Certificate
- For Export - Bill of Lading/ Air Waybill, Invoice, End-User Certificate and Import Licence from the authorities of the final destination
- For Transhipment - Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, Invoice, Import Licence or End-User Certificate from the Authorities of final destination
For import or export application, the importer or exporter must possess valid GEW Licence issued by GEWD.
The list of GEWD regulated HS Codes and Product Codes can be found here.
If importing, exporting or transhipping non-controlled goods which are classified under GEWD’s controlled HS codes, the declarant shall declare the product code as “MISC” for these HS codes.
If licence number is not applicable to your application, please specify “N.A.” in the “Licence Number” field and the “Name” and “NRIC/Passport Number” of the individual or name of company in the “General/Traders’ Remarks” field of your permit application.
Approval Requirements and Conditions
Once the import, export or transhipment permit application is approved, the declarant must forward copies of both the Customs Permit and the GEWCA Licence to the Importer/Exporter. The Importer/Exporter shall comply with all requirements and conditions stated in these documents. It is the Importer's/Exporter's responsibility to communicate these requirements and conditions to their Cargo Handling Agent to ensure full compliance.
Enquiries
For further enquiries, you may contact GEWD through PRD’s Enquiry Form or at PRD’s hotline (6835 0000).
Advisories on the GEWCA Regulatory Regime
Advisories:
- Advisory For Type 2 Weapon Owner on Safe Use and Storage of Weapons - 1 July 2025
- Police Advisory on Regulatory Requirements for Fertiliser Solutions Containing Explosive Precursors - 3 Apr 2025
- Police Advisory on Import or Export of Sparklers - 19 Oct 2020
- Police Advisory on Safety and Security Measures for EP Licensees - 12 Aug 2020
- Police Advisory on Import, Export and Transhipment of Arms & Explosives
Information on Licence Matters under GEWCA
For information on Application of Licence under the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 (GEWCA), please visit the following:
- Information on Gun Licence Matters
- Information on Explosive Licence Matters
- Information on Explosive Precursor Licence Matters
- Information on Weapon and Noxious Substance Licence Matters