Overview of Gun Explosive Weapon Licences

CHANGE OF DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION NAMES

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/prdbookingsg

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AEA was repealed upon GEWCA implementation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

3D Printing

Engagement Slides on 3D Printing
The industry Engagement Session Presentation materials are available for download.
FAQ on 3D Printing of Guns

Can be found using the link below Section Number 12
https://www.police.gov.sg/Business-E-Services/Apply-for-Gun-Licence/FAQ-for-GEWCA-Regulatory-Regime

Information on 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).

Expedited Clearance Process for Import or Export TradeNet Permit Application

Implementation of Expedited Clearance Feature for Items Regulated under the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act

INTRODUCTION

The Police Regulatory Department (PRD) is pleased to announce the implementation of an expedited clearance process to facilitate Import or Export TradeNet permit applications for items regulated under the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act. This enhancement aims to shorten the current TradeNet permit application approval time from 5 working days.

SCOPE OF ITEMS COVERED

2 This expedited clearance feature applies to the following regulated items:

Guns
Explosives
Explosive precursors
Weapons
Noxious substances

REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPEDITED CLEARANCE

3 To enable your Import or Export applications for an expedited clearance, traders are required to comply with these requirements strictly:

a. Download a copy of the “TradeNet Declaration Item List Template”

b. Furnish the detailed product information using the provided Excel file.

c. Ensure all the details in the Excel file tally with the corresponding items submitted in TradeNet permit application.

d. Attach the completed Excel file as one of the supporting documents for the TradeNet permit application for PRD’s processing.

PRODUCT INFORMATION REQUIRED

4 An example of the information required in the Excel sheet is attached below. Please pay attention to input the correct “Quantity and Unit of the Item Listed in the Base Licence”.

Example:

*HS Code of the Item in TradeNet Permit Application*	*Product Code of the Item in TradeNet Permit Application*	*Item Description of the Item in TradeNet Permit Application*	GEWCA Base Licence Number issued by SPF E.g. L/GEW/2025/000001	Licence Type of the Item in the GEWCA Base Licence E.g. EP, Explosive, Gun, Weapon, Noxious Substance	*Item Type of the Item in the GEWCA Base Licence*	*Quantity of the Item*	*Unit of the Item listed in the Base Licence*
HS Code	Product Code	Item Description	Base Licence No	Licence Type	Item Type	Qty	Unit
28111990	ANEPCS015	Perchloric Acid Solution	L/GEW/2025/000001	Explosive Precursors	Perchloric Acid	100	LITRES

Note: Subject to maximum 50 items.

IMPLEMENTATION DATE

5 This expedited clearance process is currently undergoing trial phase and we welcome your participation in the trial to refine the process. The full implementation date will be announced at a later stage.

ENQUIRIES

6 For any queries regarding this new process, please contact PRD at spf_prd_gewd@spf.gov.sg.

7 We trust that this enhancement will improve processing efficiency for your Import or export permit applications.

Advisories on the GEWCA Regulatory Regime

Advisories:

Joint Advisory - Transfers of Items With Potential Military Application to Areas of Conflict and Violence in the Region - 25 Apr 2022

Police Advisory - Apply for Licence Before Importing, Exporting or Transhipping Explosive Precursors - 25 Apr 2022

Police Advisory on Transport of Explosive Precursors - Jan 2022

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:

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