In the 2017/18 financial year, trade between Myanmar and Singapore reached 3.8 billion USD – a 28% increase from the previous financial year. Out of which, 3.1 billion USD were imports from Singapore to Myanmar and were mostly food, fuel, rubber and plastics and consumer products.
This increase in imports have continued to attract businesses to constantly engage in trade with Myanmar. Therefore, M&P International Freights is here to aid you with that.
Shipping Duration:
Shipping cargo from Singapore to Myanmar takes approximately 2-3 business days via air freight and 5-7 business days via sea freight, which are the 2 modes of transportation for international shipments.
Prohibited items in Myanmar:
Prohibited and restricted goods that are not allowed to be imported into Myanmar include
- Playing cards
- Items with images of the Buddha, Myanmar pagodas, or the flag of Myanmar
- Antiques and archeologically valuable items
- Pornographic material
- Counterfeit money
- Wildlife endangered species
Steps required prior to importing into Myanmar:
In order to be able to import goods into Myanmar, a business has to
- register as a company that is authorised to engage in international trade with the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration, Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. Do note that the registration may take up to 3 to 5 years.
- register with the Department of Trade, Ministry of Commerce – registration can take up to 3 years and costs K50,000 (SGD 43.02).
- join the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
In addition, only Myanmar nationals are permitted to engage in international trade. However, an exception to this rule is if the foreign enterprises are registered as an importer with the Directorate of Trade.
Shipping documents needed for customs clearance:
The Myanmar Customs Department requires the following documentation for customs clearance:
- Import declaration form: CUSDEC—1 Import Declaration Form
- CUSDEC—4 Customs Valuation Form
- Import license or permit
- Invoice
- Bill of Landing or Air Consignment Note
- Packing list
- Other certificates, permits or import recommendations as required (for example, a country of origin or SPS or FDA certificate)
All supporting documents must be submitted to Customs when the goods arrive as there are currently no pre-arrival processes put in place for most imports yet.
On top of that, certain items such as food and pharmaceutical products require clear labelling. Food labels are to include information like the name of the product, net weight and manufacturer’s name, while pharmaceutical labels should state things like the brand name, batch number and date of manufacture.
Duties and Tariffs for Shipments from Singapore to Myanmar:
There are no Goods and Services Tax and duties levied on goods exported from Singapore.
As for duties incurred for shipments to be imported into Myanmar, there are the taxes involved:
1. Corporate Income Tax
A 2% Income Tax on all imports is collected in advance by the Internal Revenue Department. Some of the imports exempted from this tax include equipment and machinery that are imported during a construction project period as well as raw materials imported during the first 3 years of production.
2. Commercial Tax (CT)
Any enterprise that is involved in importation is required to register for CT a month prior to the commencement of business. The CT rate for importation is 5% and will be collected by the Customs Department. Exceptions to this tax are mostly agricultural products, totalling 86 goods.
3. Specific Goods Tax (SGT)
With effect from 1 April 2016, SGT rates are based on the nature of import goods and are updated yearly.
If you need more information regarding shipping from Singapore to Myanmar, here are some useful resources:
Freight Forwarder VS Shipping Agent
The main difference between a freight forwarder and a shipping agent is the type of services that they offer. While a professional freight forwarder will be with you every step of the way, a shipping agent is only responsible for managing the shipment of your cargo.
The services that are typically provided by freight forwarders include air freight transportation, sea freight transportation, trucking, warehousing, customs clearance and most importantly, cargo insurance. With such extensive services, you will never have to worry about the next step.
Why choose M&P International Freights as your freight forwarder?
1. Professional Expertise
At M&P International Freights, we have vast experience and knowledge in handling cargo of any nature and have seen through all the paperwork required for customs clearance for our clients’ parcels. On top of that, we will be able to advise you on the most cost-effective shipment method that caters to your cargo needs.
2. All-in-one Services
If you are looking for a hassle-free shipment, engaging M&P would be your solution. Our approachable Personal Consultant will be with you during the whole shipping journey, to bring you through the entire process and provide prompt updates regarding the status so you can sit back and leave it to us.
3. Superior Customer Service
M&P’s motivation is to achieve customer satisfaction as we are committed to providing a personalised shipping service for all our valued clients. We strive not just to meet your expectations, but to exceed them and offer you an unforgettable shipping experience.