Enhancing Public Availability of Customs Information
In the Islamic Countries
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trade-related information and procedures, including clearly worked examples, and online forms
for submission through the Single Window system. The country makes extensive use of ICTs
through its customs website and Single Window. The method of information dissemination is
primarily electronic, through a website, in addition to traditional hard copies.
Administrative and Consultative Processes to Support Information Availability
Singapore is continuing its history of innovating in the provision of trade-related information by
moving to roll out a new Networked Trade Platform (NTP). It is a national trade information
management platform that combines information availability, document processing, and
information dissemination by bringing together the full ecosystem of actors involved in trade
transactions. The NTP is available to all organizations, domestic and foreign, with a CorpPass ID.
CorpPass is Singapore’s electronic system for processing corporate transactions, and is an
essential asset for any business that is active in the country. In addition, the public part of the
NTP has links to fillable forms for customs and border processes, such as formalities related to
compliance with rules of origin.
Singapore’s approach to advance rulings also shows why the country is so highly ranked. Full
details of the applicable procedures are provided on the Singapore Customs website.
Applications for advance rulings can be made by email, using a form available on the website,
along with supporting information. Advance rulings are issued within thirty days, and are valid
for three years. Application fees are very moderate, SGD$75 for classification rulings and
SGD$165 for valuation rulings. Advance rulings can cover classification and valuation issues; the
website does not indicate whether advance rulings are available for determination of origin,
although that case is also provided for in the Schedule to the Customs Act. Advance Rulings can
only be rescinded or modified in cases identified by the law, namely an error of fact, a change in
circumstances, inaccurate information provision by the applicant, a change in classification
basis, a change in circumstances relating to the relevant goods, an offence is suspected in
relation to the goods, or as allowed for under a specific RTA.
Benefits, Challenges, and Lessons Learned
In drawing conclusions in relation to Singapore, particular emphasis is placed on the
incorporation of information and transaction execution capability into an integrated
development environment. There is also a wealth of experience behind Singapore’s system,
which means that there has been time to incorporate feedback from the trade community. The
city state’s reputation as a global leader in trade facilitation is reinforced by a consideration of
the ways in which it makes trade information available.
Singapore’s commitment to public availability of trade-related information is part of a broader
governmental commitment to transparency and good governance. Following its independence
in 1965, Singapore’s government established strong norms in favor of the rule of law, and
succeeded in essentially eliminating the problem of corruption at the border, but also elsewhere
in public life. It is consistently highly rated on transparency indices that provide cross-country
comparisons. In addition, Singapore quickly recognized that its strategic location could translate
into a significant commercial advantage as a global trade hub but that it would have to ensure
that its border processes and port procedures were world leading. Its approach to information
availability is therefore grounded both in a commitment to good governance, but also in a