Leaving or entering Singapore? Note the change in cash you can carry

Leaving or entering Singapore? Note the change in cash you can carry

From Sep 1, those carrying large amounts of money in and out of Singapore must declare this to authorities if it is S$20,000 or more. The current threshold is S$30,000.

Travellers coming in and out of Singapore with that amount of money - whether in Sing dollars or foreign currency - must fill in a form and submit it to any immigration officer at the Customs Red Channel or immigration counter.

The rule applies to cash or bearer negotiable instruments such as traveller's cheques. A statement from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Tuesday (Aug 26) said the amount is in line with the recommendations made by the Financial Action Task Force, of which Singapore is a member of.

"Criminals and terrorism financiers around the world have been known to use cash couriers to move physical funds across borders either to finance their illicit activities or to launder their ill-gotten gains. As an active and integrated member of the global economy, Singapore could also be susceptible to such illegal activities," the SPF stated.

Cross-border cash movement reporting thresholds in the United States, Australia and New Zealand are $10,000 in their respective currencies.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Expect to pay total Causeway tolls of about $12.80

Expect to pay total Causeway tolls of about $12.80



Motorists will soon have to pay higher toll rates on the Singapore side of the Causeway, after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday that it will match Malaysia's new levies in the next few weeks. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Motorists will soon have to pay higher toll rates on the Singapore side of the Causeway, after the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said yesterday that it will match Malaysia's new levies in the next few weeks.

With the adjustment, drivers of private cars will likely have to pay about $12.80 for a round trip to Malaysia, compared to $2.30 before the changes at the Malaysia checkpoint set in yesterday.

The Malaysian authorities raised the toll rates yesterday for vehicles entering Johor from Singapore, and introduced a new toll for those driving in the other direction. Cars pay a toll of RM9.70 (S$3.80), up from the previous RM2.90. Those travelling from Johor to Singapore previously paid no toll, but are now subject to a new charge of RM6.80.



~News courtesy Of Straits Times~

S'pore will match Malaysia’s new toll charges

S'pore will match Malaysia’s new toll charges in next few weeks: LTA

The Government will match Malaysia’s new toll charges in the next few weeks, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Friday (Aug 1), in a statement issued in response to Malaysia's increase in toll charges for vehicles travelling from Singapore to Johor, and to the implementation of new Causeway toll charges on vehicles travelling from Johor to Singapore.

Malaysia's increased toll charges for all vehicles, except motorcycles, travelling from Singapore to Johor through the Causeway and its new Causeway toll for all vehicles travelling from Johor to Singapore both took effect today. The LTA understands that these changes are different from Malaysia’s earlier announcement to impose an entry fee on foreign-registered vehicles entering Johor.

The move to match these new toll charges would be in line with Singapore's long-standing policy of matching its toll charges at the Causeway and Second Link to those set by Malaysia, and Malaysia is aware of this policy, said an LTA spokesman.

"As details of Malaysia’s toll revisions were not made known to Singapore earlier, LTA would need some time to operationalise the changes," the spokesman added. Noting reports that the Malaysian authorities would be reviewing the tolls, the spokesman confirmed that "should Malaysia reduce or do away with the toll charges, Singapore will follow suit".

The LTA statement also pointed out the difference between Singapore’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) and Goods Vehicle Permit (GVP) Fees, and Malaysia’s new Causeway toll charges:

VEP and GVP fees are not intended as revenue generators or to charge vehicles for the usage of the Causeway, Second Link or other roads. Instead, they seek to equalise the cost of owning and using a foreign-registered vehicle in Singapore, with that for a Singapore-registered vehicle. The need to revise Singapore’s VEP and GVP fees arose from the fact that this cost difference has widened in recent years.

Based on 2013 data, the VEP fee increase will only affect about one in 10 foreign-registered cars. Other foreign-registered cars will not be affected as they enter and stay in Singapore on VEP-free days or during VEP-free hours.

Buses, taxis and motorcycles are not affected by the increase in Singapore’s VEP and GVP fees.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a community event on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam also reiterated the rationale behind Singapore's decision to raise the VEP fees for foreign-registered vehicles entering the country. "It is to make sure that Singaporeans don't pay disproportionate to what others pay, and that foreign vehicles are charged an amount that's proportionate to the usage in Singapore to make sure that congestion is reduced." Mr Shanmugam said he believed that Johor's toll fee hike will not affect ties between Singapore and Malaysia.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~