MTA Singapore: Singapore tax refund

The MTA2013 exhibition will be heldfrom 9 – 12 April (Tuesday to Friday) at Singapore Expo.  The following Singapore tax refundinformation is for the convenience of international visitors.

Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme

As a tourist in Singapore, you may claim a refund on theseven percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on your purchases made atparticipating retail shops when you leave Singapore and bring your purchaseshome. Simply spend SGD100 or more to qualify. A handling fee for the refundservice may be deducted from the GST amount.

Tourists may apply for their GST refund at the departurehall of Changi International Airport and Seletar Airport. From 21 January 2013,tourists who are departing from Singapore on an international cruise (excludingcruise-to-nowhere, round-trip cruise and regional ferry) via Marina Bay CruiseCentre Singapore and the International Passenger Terminal at HarbourFrontCentre may also qualify for tax refund.

The final destination of the ship’s voyage must not beSingapore and where the voyage involves the ship returning to Singapore on oneor more occasions, the tourists may only claim GST refund on the ship’s lastdeparture from Singapore in that voyage.

For information on the tourist’s eligibility criteria andconditions of the scheme, please visit www.iras.gov.sg.

Refunds via the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS)

Claiming your GST refund is easy and hassle-free—thanks tothe eTRS. Simply choose one credit/debit card as a Token for tagging yourpurchases entitled for refund. This Token will allow you to easily retrieve allof your purchases’ details, at one go when you apply for GST refunds at theeTRS self-help kiosks at the airport and cruise terminal*.

Alternatively, you can use the eTRS Tickets issued at thepoint of purchase to apply for your tax refunds at the airport and cruiseterminal. Payment for your purchases can be made with any credit/debit card orcash.

4 Simple Steps to Claim Your Tax Refund:

1. At the Shops

When shopping at eTRS retail shops, use one credit/debitcard as your Token to link up all your purchases. Ask for your eTRS Ticket andoriginal invoice/receipt before leaving the shop.

2. Before Departure

If you plan to check-in your purchases, first apply for yourGST refund at the eTRS self-help kiosk located at the Departure Check-in Hall(before departure immigration) of airport or Level 1 of cruise terminal usingyour Token or eTRS Tickets. You will not be entitled to a refund if you havechecked-in your purchases prior to the application.

If you plan to hand-carry your purchases, proceed to theDeparture Transit Lounge (after departure immigration) of airport or Level 2 ofcruise terminal with your purchases and apply for GST refunds at the eTRSself-help kiosk.

3. At the eTRS Self-Help Kiosk

Use the credit/debit card that you have assigned as a Tokento retrieve all your purchase details. Otherwise, scan your eTRS Ticketsindividually to retrieve your purchase details.

Follow the instructions on the eTRS self-help kiosk to applyfor your GST refund claims. You may be required to show your purchases,original invoice/receipt and boarding pass/confirmed air ticket/confirmationslip showing the cruise itinerary at the Customs Inspection Counter.

4. Collect Your Refund

For departure via Changi International Airport, the refund willbe made to you either by credit card or cash. For departure via SeletarAirport, Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore or International Passenger TerminalaZoom Lebron XI 11