Penalty for Bringing DVDs

[spidernyc]

Just wondering theoretically speaking...what would happen if customs finds non-licensed DVDs in your luggage upon return from malaysia or thailand?

what is the maximum penalty, and the typical penalty?

thanks!

[jpatokal]

I've often been told the maximum penalty is $1000 per disc (!). None of the people who've told me this have actually been caught though...

Anecdotal information on the odds of your bags getting X-rayed or searched, based on passing through Singaporean immigration umpteen times:

Changi T1/T2, wearing business attire: 0% x-ray, 0% hand-search
Changi T1/T2, wearing leisure attire: 25% x-ray, 0% hand-search
Changi Budget: 100% x-ray, 0% hand-search
Seletar: 100% hand-search (!)
2nd Link by car: 100% open trunk, 0% hand-search
Causeway by taxi/bus/train/...: 100% x-ray, 0% hand-search

Note that I've never actually carried pirate DVDs through, so there's nothing to show up on the X-ray even if they do it -- but they'll shine through bright and clear if you have 'em.

[metta]

u mean which type?

other region but original should be fine but not in big quantities
i guess :-)

[wander_lust]

I bought about 20 DVDs awhile ago in KL and drove into Singapore with it. Non of them were pornographic or banned (for content), just block busters, dramas etc.

When I realised, I'd be checked...I was quite worried but I didn't hide the DVDs, they were in plain view once the customs officer opened my bag.

He just flipped through the titles and said nothing.

I reckon, if its for personal consumption and not a smuggling issue...it ought to be just fine.

[Patrick777]

Having been stopped for having cigs and not realising if you do get stopped and asked if you have anything to declare ask the question? Just say I have some DVD's on me do I need to declare them?

I spent 2 hours in customs being questioned for having to many cigs and if I'd of been asked to I have anything to declare and I said no I could of faced a huge fine! thankfully I just got told off and a late night home 2am! I didn't know because I'd never been to the luggage belt the only place stating how many you are allowed!

That was off the back of a flight from Thailand I only had hand luggage and they asked me to to xray just as I was walking out the exit. On another flight from Thailand they had set up the xray machine directly outside the landing gate and they checked everyone!

[youdunsay]

What about those document cds you burnt? As in school notes. Can you bring them out of Singapore?

[jpatokal]

That was off the back of a flight from Thailand I only had hand luggage and they asked me to to xray just as I was walking out the exit. On another flight from Thailand they had set up the xray machine directly outside the landing gate and they checked everyone!

Gateside checks are not done by customs, but by Changi security, so they don't care about your booze or ciggies. After all, at that point you can still connect to another flight and never enter Singapore...

[Plavt]

This may be of use for some of the above posters;

http://www.customs.gov.sg/travel/maintravel.html

[Bafana]

Anecdotal information on the odds of your bags getting X-rayed or searched, based on passing through Singaporean immigration umpteen times:

Changi T1/T2, wearing business attire: 0% x-ray, 0% hand-search
Changi T1/T2, wearing leisure attire: 25% x-ray, 0% hand-search
Changi Budget: 100% x-ray, 0% hand-search
Seletar: 100% hand-search (!)
2nd Link by car: 100% open trunk, 0% hand-search
Causeway by taxi/bus/train/...: 100% x-ray, 0% hand-search

Add Tenah Merah and World Trade Centre Ferry Terminal at 100% xray and 0% hand search - Remember no smokes are duty free and they will catch you soon or later (sooner more like).

The best bet with DVD's, CD's etc is to take them out of their covers and put em in your pocket or in with your own CD's within a floppy holder.

[EC]

Is there anyone out there who has actually been caught with DVDs and charged? I brought them back through the airport and the JB crossing numerous times and never had a problem.

Never heard of anyone actually receiving a fine, but have heard loads of urban myths about it (friend of a friend of a friend).

[Bafana]

A friend of mine who works in the SPF was caught at the JB border crossing and copped a fine plkus is still fighting to keep his job - So it does happen and there are penalities.