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GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES
TIMES BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF SINGAPORE 2020/2021
Programmes Description Reference
Businesses granted the MES are able to import non-dutiable goods with GST suspended. Effective from 1 Jul 2006, such businesses also enjoy GST suspension on goods removed from a Zero GST warehouse.
Using MES
MES is granted when you import goods under the following scenarios:
1. Import your own goods in the course or furtherance of your business
2. Import goods belonging to your overseas principal for sale in Singapore or re-export on behalf of
the overseas principal, in the course or furtherance of the business
3. Import goods belonging to your overseas principal which will later be re-exported
4. (From 1 Jan 2015) Re-import goods which you previously sent abroad for value-added activities,
belonging to your local customer or GST-registered overseas customer
For (2) and (3) above, you must ensure that:
• Your overseas principal is not registered for GST;
• You keep separate records for goods belonging to your overseas principal;
• You have control over the custody and possession of the goods owned by your overseas
principals at all times; and
• You treat any subsequent supply of goods as being made by you:
– When you sell the goods locally, you should standard-rate the supply; and
– When you export the goods and maintain the required export evidence, you may zero-rate
the supply.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to qualify for MES, you have to fulfill all the conditions below:
• Your business must be GST-registered
• Your business must be active and financially solvent
• You have been importing or will be importing goods for your business purpose
• Your zero-rated supplies must account for more than 50% of the total supplies, or the value of
your zero-rated supplies is more than S$10 million for the past 12 months. For the purpose of arriving at the value of total supplies, please exclude the following which have been reported as your standard-rated supplies:
– The value of relevant supplies received from your supplier that were subject to customer accounting
– The value of imported services subject to reverse charge
– The value of digital services supplied by an electronic marketplace operator on behalf of
suppliers listed on its platform under the overseas vendor registration regime
• You maintain good internal controls and proper accounting records
• You maintain good compliance records with IRAS such as:
– Filing GST and income tax returns on time
– Paying GST, income tax, property tax and withholding tax on time
• You maintain good compliance record with Singapore Customs
• You comply with other conditions that Comptroller of GST may impose from time to time
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Double Tax Deduction
for Approved International Fair
This scheme aims to encourage Singapore companies to expand their markets by participating in international trade-oriented exhibitions held in Singapore that are accorded the Approved International Fair (AIF) status by the Singapore Exhibition and Convention BureauTM (SECB).
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, a company should meet the following requirements:
• Must be a resident company or has a permanent establishment in Singapore • Is exhibiting in approved local trade fairs accorded the AIF status by SECB.
STB
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