Car import for temporary use - possible?

[L.K.]

Hi all,

what are your experiences on importing a car for temporary use (less than a year) to SG, does this make any sense?
Is this possible without paying taxes or other customs fee?
Are there other factors which either clearly speak on behalf or against the idea?

Thanks!
LK

[Strong Eagle]

Sure... it's possible but you'll have to go through all the same procedures (and tax and registration) as you would for importing for a longer period of time. You'll need to look at lease options.

PS: Your car is right hand drive, yes?

[L.K.]

Thanks,

the car is left hand driven, which of course has it's problems at parking gates etc. but that could be overcome, if the import just would be possible.

LK.

[Saint]

I'm pretty sure left hand drive cars are not allowed in Singapore unless you a member of the Diplomatic corp.

[Strong Eagle]

Thanks,

the car is left hand driven, which of course has it's problems at parking gates etc. but that could be overcome, if the import just would be possible.

LK.

Import absolutely not possible for this reason... diplomatic corp excluded.

[Strong Eagle]

Procedures for importing an automobile.

Stage 1: Your car(s)…
Must be less than 3 years old from the date of its first registration in your home country.
Will be subjected to a $10,000 surcharge.
Must pass an inspection conducted by the Singapore Land Transport Authority which requires…
Your car's exhaust emission to comply with either the Directive 91/441/EEC of Europe or Article 31 of the Japanese Safety Regulations emission standards
Your cars Safety Glass (if any) to not contain any metallic oxide coating and have a minimum of 70% light transmittance
Your car to be a right hand drive type
Your car to be able to use unleaded petroleum
Your car to be fitted with approved seat belts both front and rear
Your car not to have any asbestos in its brake or clutch lining
Your car's air-conditioning to be CFC free
If everything is OK, proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2: You need to get…
The EEC Certificate of Conformity from your cars' manufacturer if it's made in the European Community or…
The Completion Inspection Certificate from your cars' manufacturer if it's made in Japan
If neither applies, send your car for testing at any recognized vehicle testing laboratory to get a Certificate of Compliance with Exhaust Emission Standards as well as a Test Report and a Safety Glass Certificate.
Some form of official proof that your car is new or never been registered for use. If your car is a used one, the vehicle registration document is required, these must be certified by your home government authorities
Technical Specifications or Technical Catalogue issued by your cars' manufacturer if your car is a model not previously imported into Singapore
A Declaration Form for asbestos free brake and clutch lining
An Inward Cargo Clearance Permit from a shipping agent, to get this, your shipping agent will need to submit a joint application to the Trade Development Board and the Customs and Excise Department using the Tradenet System. This is needed to arrange shipment of your car to Singapore
The Open Market Value (OMV) of your car from the Customs and Excise Department so they can levy the 41% customs duty based on that… on you

When you're done with all this frustrating drudgery move to Stage 3, where more joy awaits you.

Stage 3: If you don't have a Car Agent willing to register your car for you, you must…
Send the first 6 items in Stage 2 to the New Registration Department of the Land Transport Authority for verification. In due course, they'll inform you of when to send your car for an inspection. If it checks out, then…
Get a (Temporary) Certificate Of Entitlement from the LTA and insurance coverage for your car.
Go to the Singapore Network Services Service Centre at Bugis Junction and collect your Car Registration Application Form once you've entered your cars' particulars into a service terminal there.
Go back to the New Registration Section of the Land Transport Authority and submit your:
Car Registration Application form.
(Temporary) Certificate Of Entitlement
Original Passport, or, if the car is being registered under a company's name, a Certified True Copy of the Company Registration Certificate
Original insurance cover note or Certificate of Insurance
The notification of PARF benefits / COE Rebate (if any)
Successful bidding for vehicle registration number (if any)
Make out a check payable to the Land Transport Authority for $1000 if you are registering a private car, or $5000, if you are registering a company car. In addition there will be an Additional Registration Fee (ARF) of 150% of the vehicle's Open Market Value (OMV). Pay the LTA whatever they ask.
Finally, after they've take your money and register your precious car, you'll need to collect these from the New Registration Section:
Your Certificate of Entitlement (COE)
Your Registration Card / Log Card
Your Road Tax disc
Your Insurance Cover Note or Certificate of Insurance
Well, that's it, if you actually made it this far, then you are the proud owner of… well… your car. Congratulations. Aren't you glad you persevered through all that?

[Vaucluse]

I had just bought a car, BMW330, 4 months before being sent here and looked at the guidelines and rules and regulations that SE has highlighted . . . Hahahahahahahaha - no bloody way was I going to pay a heap of money and go through the hassles.

taxis are good and cheap here - as is public transport (kind of takes me back to my schooldays - busses!)