On 1 November 2018, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has updated the following IRAS e-Tax Guide(s) on GST on information involving hand-carried goods under relating to the Hand-Carried Exports Scheme (HCES).
The following summarises these updates and amendments:
- GST: Guide on Exports (Fifth Edition) which replaces the Fourth edition that was published on 1 July 2017
The aim of this e-Tax Guide is to provide details on the various circumstances and documentary requirements for which a supply of goods can be zero-rated. It aims to provide general guidance to assist GST-registered businesses to comply with the zero-rating provisions on exports of goods.
Updated the transport document under paragraph (c) of Scenario 8.1B to specify the compulsory personal details of carrier to be shown in the extract of carrier’s passport.
Updated the format of “Declaration of Carrier for Goods Hand-carried out of Singapore by Individual Carrier” and removed NRIC/ FIN number of carrier from the Declaration in Appendix 1.
- GST: Guide on Hand-Carried Exports Scheme (Second Edition) which replaces the First edition that was published on 30 September 2013
The aim of this e-Tax Guide sets out the types of documentary evidence required for goods hand-carried out of Singapore via Changi International Airport, to be zero-rated for GST purposes.
Updated paragraph 4.4.1 to include the evidence of payment received from the overseas customer as one of the compulsory documents to be maintained by supplier to qualify for zero-rating of hand-carried goods under the HCES with effect from 1 Jan 2019.
Updated Appendix 2 to specify the supporting documents required to be maintained with effect from 1 Jan 2019 by suppliers who are exempted from the HCES.
Amended the “GST F17 Application for Exemption from Hand-carried Exports Scheme” in Appendix 1.
Updated the format of “Declaration of Carrier for Goods Hand-carried out of Singapore by Individual Carrier” and removed NRIC/ FIN number of carrier from the Declaration in Appendix 3.
- GST: GST and the Gold Jewellery Industry (Second Edition) which replaces the First edition that was published on 9 June 2014
The purpose of this e-Tax guide is to:
(a) explain the GST principles applicable to the gold jewellery industry; and
(b) illustrate with examples how GST should be accounted for some of the common scenarios applicable to the gold jewellery industry.
Updated paragraph 4.1.1 to include the evidence of payment received from the overseas customer as one of the compulsory documents to be maintained by supplier to qualify for zero-rating of hand-carried goods under the HCES with effect from 1 Jan 2019.
The Chinese version of this guide has also been updated.
Source: IRAS, 3 November 2018