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The Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs (Customs) conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation across Singapore’s land, air, and sea checkpoints between 22 and 28 September 2026. 

The enforcement operation is part of authorities’ ongoing efforts to detect and enforce against non-compliance of Singapore’s Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR) and other illegal cross-border activities. During the week-long operation, enhanced checks were conducted on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints. Close to 13,000 travellers and 350 vehicles were checked, and over 14,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched. 

CBCRR Offences

Seven travellers were detected carrying cash exceeding S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies) into Singapore without making the required declarations:

• On 22 September 2026, a 46-year-old male foreign traveller attempted to bring S$31,000 into Singapore without declaration. 
  
  
• On 23 September 2026, a 40-year-old female foreign traveller attempted to bring approximately S$51,000 into Singapore without declaration.
  
  
• On 27 September 2026, a 44-year-old male foreign traveller attempted to bring approximately S$23,800 into Singapore without declaration.
  
  
• On 28 September 2026, four travellers attempted to bring in cash totalling approximately S$96,400 into Singapore: two 41-year-old male foreign travellers carrying S$30,000 and S$20,400 respectively, and a 51-year-old female traveller and a 52-year-old male foreign traveller carrying approximately S$46,000 collectively. 

Of these seven travellers, two were issued Notices of Warning, and three were issued composition fines amounting to S$13,000 in total. The remaining two travellers had their cash seized for further investigations. 

Members of the public are reminded that it is a statutory requirement to report the cross-border physical movement of Cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) if the total value exceeds S$20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency). Travellers must submit a declaration electronically within 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore through the MyICA mobile app by selecting “Submit Cash (CBNI) Declaration” or via ICA’s website.

Failure to report or to accurately report the movement of CBNIs exceeding S$20,000 is an offence punishable under Section 60(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. Offenders are liable to be fined up to S$50,000 or imprisoned for a term of up to three years, or both. A confiscation order may also be issued for any part of the cash, in relation to which the offence was committed. More information on cross border cash movement reporting can be found on SPF’s website.

Customs Offences

60 travellers were caught for failing to declare and pay taxes on:

• cigarettes and/or tobacco products;
• liquors exceeding their duty-free concession; and
• goods exceeding their Goods and Services Tax (GST) import relief

The total duty and GST evaded amounted to S$7,810 and S$17,705 in composition sums were imposed. The cases included a traveller carrying multiple packages of mooncakes, two boxes of birthday cakes and a money bouquet which were intended for commercial purposes, another with undeclared luxury bags for personal use; and a third with undeclared jewellery for personal use. All offences were compounded. 

Under the Customs Act, any person found guilty of fraudulent evasion of duty or GST shall be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty and GST evaded. In addition to the fine, offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for up to 12 months. 

It is the responsibility of all travellers to make accurate and complete declarations of all goods exceeding their duty-free concession and GST import relief in their possession. To avoid penalties, they are encouraged to declare and make payment for such goods up to three days before arrival using the Customs@SG Web Application, which is also available on the MyICA mobile app. Travellers may also use the Customs Declaration Kiosks located at the air, land and sea checkpoints and terminals, to declare and make payment for their goods on arrival. All cigarettes and tobacco products must comply with the standardised packaging requirements. Non-compliant products will be disposed of at the checkpoints.   

Safeguarding Singapore’s Borders

Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority for ICA.  To keep Singapore safe, ICA will continue to leverage technology and data analytics to strengthen our targeting and detection capabilities, as well as work with the relevant authorities to detect and deter such contraband smuggling activities at the checkpoints.

Photos of the Joint Operation

Checks by various agencies



A traveller at Tuas Checkpoint failed to declare multiple packages of mooncakes, two boxes of birthday cakes and a money bouquet, which were intended for commercial purposes.

[Photo: Singapore Customs]



A traveller at Changi Airport was found in possession of three luxury bags which he had failed to declare.

[Photo: Singapore Customs]