Singapore

Yachts in Singapore must complete immigration clearance for people separately from port formalities for the vessel. ICA says vessel and crew arrival/departure processes can be handled through digitalPORT@SG. A 2026 ICA/MPA announcement says eligible users may handle some procedures themselves, so hiring an agent is not universally mandatory.

Officially clarified in 2026: CIQ clearance for private yachts is mainly handled at designated facilities at ONE°15 Marina and Raffles Marina. Marina South Pier mainly serves domestic ferries and port vessels; do not assume private yachts can clear CIQ there. Coordinate berthing and customs/immigration inspections with the marina and ICA/MPA in advance.

Official source: ICA/MPA 2026 statement

Immigration procedures for yacht crew and vessels: Foreign crew and private-yacht owners submit vessel arrival/departure, crew embarkation/disembarkation or transfer, and extension-of-stay applications to Singapore ICA through digitalPORT@SG. Check the latest MPA Port Marine Circulars/Notices for reporting times and the relevant marina. Owners may apply themselves or authorize an agent.

Official source: ICA clearance procedure

Yacht crew entry, departure, embarkation/disembarkation and transfers must follow ICA’s sea-clearance process, with the relevant information submitted through digitalPORT@SG. Eligible users with system access may apply themselves or appoint an authorized agent. ICA/MPA says yacht CIQ is mainly available at ONE°15 Marina and Raffles Marina. Confirm vessel type, operating hours and available services before departure.

Singapore Customs says eligible privately used pleasure craft may apply for temporary import relief from duties and taxes, subject to specified recreational, sporting or racing use. Customs assesses eligibility, security and documentation. This is a vessel import-tax arrangement and does not remove the requirement for arrival clearance.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) limits food brought in by travellers for personal consumption according to country of origin, category and quantity. For example, some meat must come from approved sources, fruit and vegetables are limited to reasonable hand-carried quantities, and other foods are governed by the latest lists. These rules are not vessel quarantine clearance. Before bringing onboard stores, pets or plants ashore or importing them, check permit and declaration requirements separately with SFA, NParks or port quarantine authorities.

Singapore Customs classifies goods as prohibited or controlled. Controlled goods require approval from the relevant authority before arrival and must be declared at clearance. The official travellers’ guide lists controlled categories such as weapons/explosives, communications equipment, medicines, and animals and plants; prohibited goods also include narcotics and products made from protected wildlife. Check the latest Customs list and confirm with the responsible authority for the specific item and permit.

Arrival procedures

Declare vessel arrivals/departures, crew changes and extensions of stay through ICA’s digital-port process. In-person formalities are generally handled at designated yacht CIQ facilities. Confirm the actual berth, approvals and any additional charges in advance.

Official sources: ICA clearance procedure · CIQ facilities

Do not treat agent or marina charges as ICA government clearance fees. In 2026, ICA/MPA said yacht owners may handle crew formalities directly with ICA or use an agent. Owners dealing directly with ICA may have to provide a security deposit, which may be returned if there is no breach. ICA said it charges yacht owners no other ICA processing fees. Marina services, security, agents and MPA charges are separate and should be confirmed. Owners with Singpass may be able to manage relevant port formalities themselves through DigitalPORT.

Official source: [Singapore ICA 2026 clarification](https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/response-to--bring-down-ciq-costs-for-pleasure-craft-owners-in-singapore--%28the-straits-times--7-january-2026%29