Open Market Value (OMV)
The customs-assessed value of the vehicle, which generally includes the purchase price, freight, marine insurance and other incidental charges before arrival. Most taxes and duties are calculated from the OMV.
Car Import Guide
Importing a Personal Vehicle from Overseas into Singapore
Published: 3 Sept 2026
If you are relocating to Singapore and already own a vehicle, or if you are a Singaporean returning home with a car you have driven abroad, you may want to bring that vehicle with you. A personal import follows the same underlying rules as any other import, but it raises questions of its own — starting with whether the vehicle is worth shipping at all.
This guide covers eligibility, the taxes and fees you will face, the documents you need, and the steps from an overseas garage to Singapore registration.
Who Can Import a Personal Vehicle?
Singapore citizens and permanent residents relocating back to Singapore, as well as foreigners taking up long-term residence here, may import a vehicle that they have personally owned and used in their country of origin. The vehicle is considered a used car on arrival, which means the normal used-car import rules — including the used import surcharge — apply.
Eligibility is not automatic. The vehicle must meet Singapore’s road-worthiness, emissions and specification requirements, and the paperwork must show clear personal ownership. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, it is worth confirming the position before paying for shipping.
The Costs of a Personal Import
A personal import pays the same taxes and fees as any other import. The key components are set out below.
Excise Duty
Import duty imposed on the vehicle based on its OMV. This applies to passenger cars entering Singapore.
Goods & Services Tax (GST)
GST is payable on the value of the vehicle, typically calculated on the sum of the OMV and excise duty.
Additional Registration Fee (ARF)
Calculated progressively from the vehicle's OMV. ARF applies when the car is registered for use in Singapore.
Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
A COE must be secured through the public bidding exercise before the vehicle can be registered for road use.
Registration Fee and Road Tax
A fixed registration fee applies at registration, and annual road tax depends on the vehicle's engine capacity or electric motor power.
Used Import Surcharge
A surcharge that applies to imported used cars, payable when the vehicle is registered in Singapore.
Shipping, Port and Compliance Costs
Freight, marine insurance, port handling, inspection and homologation charges all add to the total landed cost.
Because the COE premium and ARF are market- and value-dependent, the total tax bill can be very large relative to the value of the vehicle in its home market. Before committing, compare the full landed cost against the price of a similar car already in Singapore — our guides on import costs and COE and ARF explain the calculations in detail.
Documents You Will Need
A personal import stands or falls on its paperwork. The documents listed below prove ownership, support the customs valuation, and trace the vehicle from origin to Singapore.
| No. | Document Required |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vehicle registration certificate or title from the country of origin |
| 2 | De-registration certificate where the original registration has been cancelled for export |
| 3 | Sales / purchase invoice or an official valuation of the vehicle |
| 4 | Bill of lading and export documentation from the shipping company |
| 5 | Vehicle specifications and technical datasheet |
| 6 | Proof of ownership and identity documents for the importer |
For a complete overview of the paperwork, our car import checklist is a useful place to start.
The Import Process Step by Step
1. Confirm Eligibility
Check that a personally-owned vehicle can be imported under the applicable scheme, and that the vehicle itself is eligible — age, condition, emissions standards and specification all matter.
2. Estimate the Costs
Use the vehicle's expected OMV to estimate excise duty, GST, ARF, COE, road tax and the used import surcharge before making any commitment.
3. Arrange Export and Shipping
Have the vehicle de-registered for export, then choose a RoRo or container shipping method and arrange marine insurance for the voyage.
4. Clear Customs
When the vessel arrives, the vehicle is discharged, an import permit is processed, and duties and GST are assessed and paid.
5. Inspect, Comply and Register
The vehicle undergoes the applicable inspections, a COE is secured, ARF and other fees are paid, and the vehicle is registered in your name.
The journey from choosing a shipping method to collecting the registered vehicle can take several months. Our guides on shipping methods, how long an import takes and customs clearance and registration cover each stage in more detail.
Considering a Personal Import?
The single most important step is working out whether the vehicle is worth importing in the first place. Start with our car import calculator to estimate the landed cost, then speak to our consultants about the eligibility, valuation and paperwork for your specific vehicle.
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