Singapore adopt Advanced Export Declaration (AED) from 1 April 2013

Singapore Customs announced on Jan 12, 2011 that they will implement Advance Export Declaration (AED) for all exports from 1 Apr 2013.

Currently, Singapore Customs requires advance customs export declarations only for controlled items (such as Strategic controlled goods under Tier 1 individual license) or exports by land.  Export customs declaration of non-controlled items by sea and air are actually allowed to be made within three days of the goods leaving Singapore under existing administrative exemption (IE Notice No. 2/76).  This exemption rule will be rescinded with effect from 1 Apr 2013.

In order to allow the industry sufficient lead time to complete the necessary changes to their work processes, Singapore Customs has announced the implementation date of 1 Apr 2013 in advance. In addition, there will be an 18-month adjustment period starting from 1 Apr 2013 to 31 Sep 2014. During the adjustment period, traders will generally not be penalised by Singapore Customs for non-compliance with AED requirements. However, all other customs offences and penalties will still be applicable during the AED adjustment period.

According to the media release by Singapore Customs, "this regulation development aims to strengthen Singapore's supply chain security and align its export declaration practices with international norm."
Yes, from AEO mutual recognition perspective, and also from Security Trade Control (international regimes as as Wassenaar Arrangement) perspective, this practice is norm for other countries, Japan, US, China, Australia as well as EU. 

I'm accustomed to Japan's strict customs declaration procedure, so "the export declaration practice after leaving the goods" in Singapore has been something incredible, personally for me.  This regulatory development in Singapore makes sense and is thought as "back to normal".


(Reference:  Singapore Customs web site)
Circular:  http://www.customs.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/6CEA916D-F762-46EE-9090-2D25FB3E3BDE/28740/Circular012012AEDImplementation1.pdf
Media Release:  http://www.customs.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/6185D945-DC37-4EA6-B5B7-3EC35CC8C60E/28738/PressReleaseonAEDImplementation_FinalWeb.pdf