Thinking of importing food products into Singapore for your retail or distribution business? From licensing and permits to inspection and labelling, navigating the food import policy in Singapore can be complex—but getting it right is essential. Beyond compliance, strong financial oversight also plays a crucial role in running a successful operation.
This is where accounting services in Singapore come in—helping small businesses track costs, forecast cash flow, and stay aligned with regulatory deadlines.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is the main authority regulating all food imports into the country. Their framework focuses on public health, food traceability, and safety through:
Mandatory business registration and licensing
Permit approvals for every shipment
Inspection and testing of certain food categories
Labelling, documentation, and packaging compliance
Staying compliant with SFA rules is not just a legal requirement—it helps small businesses maintain smoother operations and financial predictability.
To import food commercially, a business must:
Be registered with the SFA
Hold a valid licence for the food category (e.g. meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables)
Keep accurate supplier and product records through TradeNet
Each licence type has a validity period (usually one year) and comes with its own compliance responsibilities.
Even with a licence, a separate import permit is required for every food consignment. Businesses must submit details through the TradeNet system before goods arrive.
Key permit application details include:
Harmonised System (HS) codes
Product name and quantity
Country of origin
Supporting documents like health certificates or invoices
Having all documents in order prevents unnecessary clearance delays and fines.
âś… Paperwork eating your time? Let AI do the heavy lifting. Our platform automates daily tasks while expert accountants ensure everything’s perfect. Break free here.
These are considered high-risk and require additional steps:
SFA licence for meat/fish imports
Health certificates from the exporting country
Potential laboratory testing for pathogens
Random or risk-based inspections at entry
Accounting tip: anticipate inspection-related delays when planning stock and cash flow.
Imports under the Control of Plants Act require:
SFA registration
Shipment declarations with accurate labelling
Compliance with pesticide residue limits
Labels must indicate the country of origin and product type clearly.
This includes canned goods, snacks, condiments, and baby food. Businesses must:
Register with SFA
Understand product risk classifications
Provide safety documentation or test results for high-risk goods
Labelling and ingredient transparency are strictly enforced.
Food brought in for personal use is subject to weight or volume caps (usually up to 5 kg or 5 litres). Meat and dairy items are more tightly controlled or outright restricted.
Businesses must clearly distinguish commercial and personal imports to stay compliant.
All food products must follow SFA’s labelling rules:
Product name
List of ingredients
Net weight and expiry date
Name and address of importer
Country of origin
Mislabelled goods can be rejected, penalised, or recalled—impacting both revenue and reputation.
The SFA may hold shipments temporarily for:
Laboratory testing
Documentation checks
Random sampling based on product risk
This can cause inventory delays, which affect financial forecasting and sales planning. Businesses should maintain buffer stock and contingency timelines.
Understanding food import rules helps you build a more accurate financial picture. Here’s how compliance impacts your accounts:
Licensing and permit fees are part of administrative expenses
Shipment delays or rejections affect inventory valuation and cash flow
Penalties or disposal costs must be recorded accurately in expense accounts
Documentation for GST input claims must be correctly maintained
Accounting systems should reflect all import-related costs for more accurate reporting, budgeting, and audit preparedness.
Singapore’s food import policy is strict but clear. For Singapore small businesses, staying compliant with SFA requirements—such as securing the right licences, applying for shipment permits, and ensuring proper labelling—reduces operational risks and supports more predictable cash flow.
When accounting and compliance go hand in hand, small food businesses are better equipped to manage imports, handle inspections, and avoid costly errors.
Tired of Teaching Every New Accountant About Your Business? Traditional accounting services mean repeatedly explaining your business to new staff. Modern companies need systems that learn and remember—exactly what most accounting firms can’t deliver.
Counto’s intelligent accounting service adapts to your business. Our AI learns your specific patterns and transactions, then handles your daily bookkeeping automatically. Expert accountants review everything for accuracy, and your dedicated Customer Success Manager is always just a message or call away. No more repeated explanations, no more basic questions—just accounting that understands your business.
Join small businesses saving hours monthly on financial management with our outsourced accounting solution. Plus, with our AI handling the routine work, you’ll get better insights at a fraction of the cost of a full-time bookkeeper. Ready to upgrade your accounting? Chat with us now, email [email protected] or use our contact form.
Whatsapp 
Call