Bringing plants and plant products into Singapore
Plants are living plants and parts thereof, including seeds and germplasm.
Plant pests and diseases that may come with plants and plant products could adversely affect the local ecosystem and Singapore’s native flora and fauna.
Individual hobbyists, researchers, and commercial traders must therefore comply with the Singapore import requirements for plants and plant products if:
importing plants via parcel post, courier agent, or freight forwarder
bringing back plants following an overseas trip or buying plants from overseas suppliers or via a shopping platform.
To import plants and plant products into Singapore, two documents are generally required:
a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin; and
an import permit from the National Parks Board (also known as NParks).
Please note that non-compliance with these import requirements constitutes an offence and is subject to penalties under the law.
Some examples of the documents required for specific categories of plants and plant products are as follows:
Category | Requirement |
Plants with Growing Medium | Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country with nematicide treatment needed. Apply for import permit via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/apply-import-permit |
Plants without Growing Medium (Bare rooted) | Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country needed. Apply for import permit via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/apply-import-permit |
Soil | Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country with nematicide treatment needed. Apply for import permit via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/apply-import-permit |
Peat Moss, Coco Moss, Sphagnum Moss, etc | Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country with nematicide treatment needed. Apply for import permit via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/apply-import-permit |
Compost or Organic Fertilizer | This product cannot be imported into Singapore unless prior approval is obtained from National Parks Board. Apply for Import Risk Assessment via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/check-plant-health-requirements/beneficial-organisms |
Compost or Organic Fertilizer | This product cannot be imported into Singapore unless prior approval is obtained from National Parks Board. Apply for Import Risk Assessment via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/check-plant-health-requirements/beneficial-organisms |
Seeds for Planting | Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country needed. Apply for import permit via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/apply-import-permit |
Mushroom Spawn | Phytosanitary Certificate from exporting country with Methyl Bromide/Dry Heat/Steam treatment needed. Apply for import permit via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/apply-import-permit |
Living Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Nematoda and micro-organisms, living modified organisms, biological control agents | This product cannot be imported into Singapore unless prior approval is obtained from National Parks Board. Apply for Import Risk Assessment via https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/import-plant-plant-products/check-plant-health-requirements/beneficial-organisms |
Find out more about the latest import requirements for your plants or plant products here:
Check plant health import requirements
Find out more about how to apply for an import permit here:Apply for an import permit
Prohibited Plants
Certain plants and their derivatives are controlled drugs which cannot be imported into Singapore per the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. Find out more here:
nparks.gov.sg/docs/default-source/resources/2022/plants-controlled-drugs.pdf.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I tell if a seller is compliant with Singapore's import regulations?
A compliant seller should be transparent about the required documentation. You may wish to reach out to the seller or look for information that confirms that the plants come with a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin and that the relevant import permits from the National Parks Board (NParks) will be obtained. If a seller does not mention these documents, they may not be following the regulations.
2. What should I do if a seller is offering a plant on the prohibited list?
Do not purchase the plant and report the listing to us. The list of prohibited plants contains those that are illegal under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.
Buying or importing these plants is an offense that can result in penalties under the law, including fines and imprisonment.
3. As a buyer, what will happen if I purchased an item where the seller doesn't follow the rules?
The import requirements apply to everyone, including individual hobbyists. If you are the one bringing the plant into Singapore (either directly or via a service), you are ultimately responsible for ensuring all requirements are met. Non-compliance is an offense subject to penalties.
Non-compliance is considered an offense by the authorities and may result in penalties. For more information, please refer to NParks’ guidelines on plant imports