Singapore Customs An Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading Community Singapores Strategic Goods Control System The First ASEAN Regional Forum Intersessional

Singapore CustomsAn Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading Community

Singapore’s Singapore’s Strategic Goods Strategic Goods Control System Control System

The First ASEAN Regional Forum Intersessional Meeting on Nonproliferation and Disarmament 1-3 Jul 2009

Singapore CustomsSingapore Customs

An Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading CommunityAn Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading Community

National National Authority Authority

Registration &Registration &Permit RequirementsPermit Requirements

Catch-Catch-allall

Control listControl list

Legislation Legislation

Singapore CustomsSingapore CustomsAn Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading CommunityAn Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading Community

EnforcementEnforcement

Singapore’s Strategic Goods Singapore’s Strategic Goods Control FrameworkControl Framework



Why the need to ControlWhy the need to Control

• Security InterestsSecurity Interests– Prevent WMD Prevent WMD

proliferationproliferation– Constrain illicit transfer of Constrain illicit transfer of

WMDWMD

• Economic InterestsEconomic Interests– Competitive advantage for Competitive advantage for

local industrieslocal industries– Access to high-end Access to high-end

technology and equipmenttechnology and equipment



Inter-Ministry Committee onInter-Ministry Committee onStrategic Goods ControlStrategic Goods Control

Min of Foreign AffairsMin of Foreign Affairs

S’pore S’pore CustomsCustoms

Min of TradeMin of Trade& Industry& Industry

Min of Min of DefenceDefence

Min ofMin ofHome AffairsHome Affairs

Min of Min of TransportTransport

AttorneyAttorneyGeneral’s General’s ChambersChambers




National Authority - SCNational Authority - SC

• Administer export control matters

• Focal point

• Process strategic goods permits

• Register & audit arms brokers

• Enforce SGCA/CWPA/RIEA

• Conduct industry outreach



Multi – Agency EffortMulti – Agency Effort

Other CAsOther CAs – Technical Support(nuclear, radiation,

chemical, biological)

Other Enforcement Agencies

IMC:MFA, MTI, MHA,

Mindef, MOT,AGC, SC

• Administer export control matters• Process strategic goods permits • Register & audit arms brokers• Focal point• Industry outreach• Enforcement

DTAODTAO – Technical Advice

ICAICA – BorderChecks

SCSC - National Authority:

Administer & Enforce



Legislative FrameworkLegislative Framework

• Strategic Goods (Control) Act – 1 Jan 2003Strategic Goods (Control) Act – 1 Jan 2003– Comprehensive regulatory requirements - export,

transshipment/transit, brokering, ITT– Control list – Catch-all – “relevant activity”– Greater enforcement powers– International cooperation

• Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations – 7 Jan 2004Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations – 7 Jan 2004– Stipulate the conditions of permit approval, revocation or

suspension– To implement the bulk permits scheme– Stipulate record-keeping requirements– Composition fines



Control ListControl List• Munitions List• Dual-use List

Controlled Controlled Transactions Transactions

Catch-AllCatch-All

• Export/ Re-export• Transshipment• Transit• Intangible Transfer of Technology• Brokering

• Other goods and technology that are known or suspected to be used in a nuclear, chemical or biological weapons programme, or missiles capable of delivering these weapons

Scope of ControlScope of Control



Control ListControl List

• In line with export control lists used by the In line with export control lists used by the EU, US, Hong Kong, Australia and othersEU, US, Hong Kong, Australia and others

• Only 2 Sub-Lists: Munitions List and Dual-Only 2 Sub-Lists: Munitions List and Dual-Use ListUse List

• Applies to Applies to all strategic goodsall strategic goods transactionstransactions



The Expanded Control ListFor Export, Transhipment & Transit

1 Jan 2008

Expanded Control List - since 1 Expanded Control List - since 1 Jan 08Jan 08

– > 1,000 items> 1,000 items

– Dual-use items including software Dual-use items including software & technology, example:& technology, example:

• high end computershigh end computers

• telecommunication equipmenttelecommunication equipment

• propulsion systempropulsion system

• space vehiclesspace vehicles

• aerospace aircraft parts & aerospace aircraft parts & componentscomponents

• marine & naval equipment, parts & marine & naval equipment, parts & componentscomponents

– Catch-allCatch-all control still applies control still applies



The Expanded Control ListFor Export, Transhipment & Transit

1 Jan 2008

Expanded Control List since Expanded Control List since 1 Jan 081 Jan 08

• Control List was based on the 2005 and Control List was based on the 2005 and

2006 version of the WA and the EU, 2006 version of the WA and the EU,

respectively.respectively.

• Control list comprised two parts: Control list comprised two parts:

– Munitions List (ML), adopted from Munitions List (ML), adopted from

the Munitions List of the Wassenaar the Munitions List of the Wassenaar

Arrangement (WA)Arrangement (WA)

– Dual-Use List (DL), adopted from Dual-Use List (DL), adopted from

the EU’s List of Dual-Use Items and the EU’s List of Dual-Use Items and

Technology – from the lists of all 4 Technology – from the lists of all 4

export control regimes.export control regimes.



Amendments to Control ListAmendments to Control List

• Based on latest WA and EU amendments in Dec 2008; Based on latest WA and EU amendments in Dec 2008;

includes all items under the 4 informal export control includes all items under the 4 informal export control

regimes.regimes.– Mainly editorial changes for consistency and Mainly editorial changes for consistency and

clarification on controlsclarification on controls– Added new definition and acronymAdded new definition and acronym– Removal and addition of new controls since last Removal and addition of new controls since last

update in Jan 2008update in Jan 2008

• W.e.f. W.e.f. 11stst Apr 2009 Apr 2009



Catch-all ControlsCatch-all Controls

• Other goods & technology that are known or suspected to be used in a nuclear, chemical or biological weapons programme, or missiles capable of delivering these weapons



Legislative amendments Legislative amendments

• Strategic Goods (Control) (Amendment) Strategic Goods (Control) (Amendment)

Act/Regulations Act/Regulations w.e.f.1 Jan 2008w.e.f.1 Jan 2008

• Strategic Goods (Control) (Brokering) Order Strategic Goods (Control) (Brokering) Order

2007 2007 w.e.f.1 Jan 2008w.e.f.1 Jan 2008

• Strategic Goods (Control) Order 2009 Strategic Goods (Control) Order 2009 w.e.f.1 w.e.f.1

Apr 2009Apr 2009



Other Related LegislationOther Related Legislation

• Regulation of Imports and Exports Act

• Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act

• Biological Agents and Toxins Act

• Environmental Protection Management Act• Radiation Protection Act • Arms and Explosives Act• United Nations Act and UN (Anti-Terrorism

Measures) Regulations


Enforcement and Penalties



Multi-pronged Enforcement Multi-pronged Enforcement approachapproach

Targeting & Inspection

ICP & Audits

Inter-agency & International Co-operation

Risk Profiling & Intelligence

Multi-Pronged Approach



Enforcement Powers

• Power to search conveyances Power to search conveyances and premisesand premises

• Power to access computer Power to access computer informationinformation

• Power to access documents Power to access documents and informationand information

• Power to seizePower to seize



Enforcement CoordinationEnforcement Coordination

Enforcement Agencies – ICA, PCG, SPF, SCDF

Technical agencies- DSTA/DTAO, DSO, etc.

Port authorities-PSA, JP,

MPA, CAAS



PenaltiesPenalties

• CompositionComposition

• De-registrationDe-registration

• Revoke / Suspend permitsRevoke / Suspend permits

• Seizure and forfeiture of goodsSeizure and forfeiture of goods



Maximum Penalties

Composition

1st Offence - $100,000 / 3 times value of goods1st Offence - $100,000 / 3 times value of goods 2nd & subsequent offence - $200,000 / 4 times the value2nd & subsequent offence - $200,000 / 4 times the value of goodsof goods

1st Offence - 2 years’ jail1st Offence - 2 years’ jail 2nd & subsequent offence - 3 years’ jail2nd & subsequent offence - 3 years’ jail

• Goods that are subject of a suspected offence under the Goods that are subject of a suspected offence under the Act may be seized, pending investigation.Act may be seized, pending investigation.• May be forfeited by court orderMay be forfeited by court order

Minor technical offences may be compounded for up to Minor technical offences may be compounded for up to of $10,000of $10,000

and / or

and / or

Court fines

Imprisonment

Seizure & forfeiture of goods

SG

CA

SG

CS

GC

RR


Industry Outreach Industry Outreach ProgrammeProgramme



Industry OutreachIndustry Outreach

News releases

Circulars

Courses

Seminars

Website

Mailing list

Field visits

Task force

Briefings/ Consultations



SeminarsSeminars

• United States Export Control Regulations Seminar, Apr 08

• United States-Singapore Seminar on Insight to Strategic Goods Control under International Export Control Regimes, Jul 07

• Japan-Singapore-United States Export Controls Seminar, Jun 07

• Global Trade Controls –Asia Conference, May 06



SGC CoursesSGC Courses

For Beginners – For Beginners – Understanding Your Understanding Your Responsibilities and Responsibilities and Obligations Under the Obligations Under the Strategic Goods Control ActStrategic Goods Control Act

Essentials of Internal Essentials of Internal (Export Control) (Export Control) Compliance Programme Compliance Programme



Mailing Lists

www.customs.gov.sg/stgcwww.customs.gov.sg/stgc

[email protected][email protected]

STGC Helpline: 6337 5996STGC Helpline: 6337 5996


Other Counter-Other Counter-Proliferation EffortsProliferation Efforts



Counter-proliferation InitiativesCounter-proliferation Initiatives

• Container Security Initiative (CSI)– Singapore-US CSI implemented

from 17 Mar 2003

• Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)– Singapore joined PSI core group during

5th PSI Plenary Meeting on 5 Mar 2004

• Radiation Detection Initiative (RDI)– Singapore-US DOE – from 4 Apr 2006

• Secure Trade Partnership (STP) – Launched on 25 May 2007



Regional CooperationRegional Cooperation

• Co-hosted the Joint Seminar on Man-Portable Air Defence System with the United States and Australia, 7-8 Jun 2007, Singapore

• Co-hosted the ARF Export Licensing Experts Meeting with Canada, 17-18 Nov 2005, Singapore



Joint Internal CoursesJoint Internal Courses

• Co-hosted the CIT Implementation Workshop with United States EXBS programme, Singapore, 24 Nov 2008

• Co-hosted the Wassenaar Arrangement Briefing with United States EXBS programme, Singapore, 6-7 Aug 2008

• Co-hosted the Advanced Licensing Processing Workshop with United States EXBS programme, Singapore, 13-15 Jan 2009



Key Challenges

• How to implement an Export Control system without How to implement an Export Control system without affecting tradeaffecting trade

• Limited expertise in controlled itemsLimited expertise in controlled items– Not a nuclear producing countryNot a nuclear producing country– Not a member of 4 export control regimes Not a member of 4 export control regimes

(AG,MTCR, NSG , WA)(AG,MTCR, NSG , WA)

• Small country / limited resources Small country / limited resources rely more on IT rely more on IT for processes & leverage on inter-agency for processes & leverage on inter-agency coordination for technical expertise and equipmentcoordination for technical expertise and equipment



Way ForwardWay Forward

• Keep abreast of technological Keep abreast of technological

developments & international practicesdevelopments & international practices

• Enhance international cooperation / seek Enhance international cooperation / seek

technical advice from regime memberstechnical advice from regime members

• Growing emphasis on R&D Growing emphasis on R&D greater need greater need

to protect indigenous technologies in futureto protect indigenous technologies in future

• Critical to maintain the right balanceCritical to maintain the right balance


Thank You

Documents

Singapore Customs An Active and Valuable Partner for the Trading Community Singapores Strategic Goods Control System The First ASEAN Regional Forum Intersessional