Health

Refunds on Your Goods and Services Tax

The Tourist Refund Scheme

Tourists in Singapore can get a refund on the seven per cent Goods & Services Tax (GST) paid on their purchases upon leaving the country. All you have to do is show your passport upon purchasing your item as proof of your eligibility at a retailer who is participating in the Tourist Refund Scheme. The retailer’s participation will usually be indicated by blue "Tax Free Shopping" signs or "Premier Tax Free" signs, but you should ask to confirm the retailer’s participation.

singapore-shopping

You may claim a GST refund on your purchased goods except for goods that are wholly or partly consumed in Singapore, items purchased for business or commercial purposes, goods exported by freight or accommodation, car rental, entertainment and tour charges. From January 2013, the Tourist Refund Scheme will also be available for goods that are brought out of Singapore by international cruise passengers (excluding cruises-to-nowhere, round-trip cruises and regional ferry passengers) via the Singapore Cruise Centre at Harbourfront and the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore at Marina South.

You need to purchase items worth at least S$100, including GST, to qualify for a GST refund. You will receive an Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS) ticket at the point of purchase. To receive your refund, your eTRS ticket must first be endorsed.

Endorsing Your Refund Form

If you have an eTRS ticket, proceed to the eTRS self-help kiosks when departing. Physical inspection may be required and you will need to present the goods, the original invoice or receipt and your boarding pass to the Customs Inspection Counter to seek Singapore Customs’ endorsement.

Please seek endorsement at the Customs Inspection Counter in the terminal you will be checking in your goods or your flight or ship will be departing from.  They are available at the Singapore Cruise Centre at Harbourfront, the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore at Marina South and Changi Airport Terminals 1, 2  and 3.

Getting Your Refund

Proceed to a Global Blue Refund or Premier Tax Free counter with your endorsed Global Refund Cheque or Premier Tax Free Voucher to claim your GST refund in cash or through credit card. The counters are located in the Departure Lounge after immigration. If you have purchased from a retailer operating the scheme on its own, please deposit the endorsed refund form in the postbox at the airport to mail it back to the retailer. A small handling fee may be deducted from your refund value.

Any payment card nominated for receiving the tax refund must be the same payment card used when paying for the original purchase.

Claiming Your GST Refund in a Nutshell

 

eTRS Retail Shops

1 Shop

Show your passport.

Use one credit card as your Token for linking up all your purchases.

Ask for your eTRS Ticket and original invoice.

2 Claim

Apply for GST refund at eTRS self-help kiosk.

You can either use your Token credit card to retrieve your purchase details or scan your eTRS Tickets individually.

3 Collect

If you chose to have your refund credited directly to your credit card, you may proceed to boarding.

If you chose cash refund, proceed to the Central Refund Counter in the Departure Transit Lounge.

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