Moves to Singapore and the Philippines: our tips

Planning to relocate to South Asia? Then you should take the time to plan your journey, whether it will be by air or sea, with an experienced firm approved in Belgium by the CBD.

Moving overseas with a specialist and professional Belgian firm means that you will benefit from support throughout the administrative and customs formalities. Your mover will be able to advise you on the particularities of Singapore and the Philippines.

Upping sticks for South Asia: how to plan your move properly

Packing your belongings and the time it takes to have them transported by sea or air makes certain precautions necessary:

• Choosing a form of transport to suit your deadlines: transportation by sea is less expensive than moving your things by air. However, you’ll need to allow for longer storage periods applicable at destination ports. This period varies depending on the shipping firm involved. You could opt to travel by air with a few essential belongings and then wait for your furniture to arrive by sea.
• Choosing containers based on quantity: your mover will supply you with various types of containers in line with the volume and nature of the items being exported. A container will be placed outside your home to allow direct and secure loading by the moving team.
• Inventory and values of the goods being moved: an inventory of your belongings (in English, for Singapore and the Philippines) is a requirement for all international moves. It must be filled in and supplied to your moving firm, which will use it to carry out thorough labelling of each container. The description of the contents remains general for most items: ‘crockery’, ‘books’, etc.

Destination Singapore: the entry formalities

Heading for a new life in Singapore? The city-state is a very cosmopolitan destination, but it’s also extremely strict about the entry formalities for immigrants, especially since the events of 11 September 2001. For your international move by a professional moving firm to Singapore, the requirements include:

• Producing a certificate of employment, i.e. proof that you have already found employment in Singapore. Otherwise, you will have to pay the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is the equivalent of our VAT and applicable to imported goods.
• Being present during the customs formalities: it will be specifically demanded that you are physically present during the customs clearance procedures.

The Philippines: watch out for counterfeits and banned items

These days the Philippines is a highly popular destination for people wanting to relocate overseas. However, to be able to enjoy the benefits of living there, you will need to satisfy the following obligations:

• Paying a customs tax equivalent to about 12% of the value of all your possessions
• When importing, bear in mind that individuals benefit from tax exemption equivalent to 10,000 Philippine pesos
• Compliance with the applicable phytosanitary measures, such as having had any wooden packing cases fumigated before export.

Import restrictions and items prohibited in the Philippines and Singapore

As is the case on any island keen to protect its ecosystem, plants, planting material and fruit and vegetables require an import licence in order to be brought onto Philippine or Singaporean soil. Drugs, gambling, shisha tobacco, chewing tobacco, and gun-shaped cigarette lighters are all banned.

Other items which are prohibited in the Philippines, a very Catholic country, include:

• Documents and images which are subversive, obscene, pornographic or politically incorrect (literature, comics, films)
• Illegal copies and counterfeits

Certain restrictions are specific to Singapore:

• Chewing gum in Singapore: apart from the extreme cleanliness requirements applicable to pavements and other public spaces, this ban can be explained by various incidences of vandalism. For instance, there was the disruption of the entire metro system caused by chewing gum stuck over door sensors.
• Cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.
• Comics and DVDs containing subversive or violent images (a precise list of the titles you possess will need to be supplied to your mover in case of a spot check or even a viewing on arrival).

Lastly, you should also bear in mind that the hot and humid climate is not ideal for preserving certain materials, and there’s a real risk of deterioration for wooden furniture, paintings and photo albums, and even leather or suede jackets.

Opting for a new life in Asia? Then move with the assistance of a professional firm fully versed in Asian customs and traditions

For any questions or doubts regarding import rules and customs formalities in emerging nations, feel free to request advice from your Belgium-based international removals specialist, as they possess not only the experience required, but also a network of specialist local partners.  

Contact Maison Genné. We’re available to advise you, provide an estimate for your move outside the EU or with tailored packing solutions.