Relocation Help
Moving to Singapore is generally hassle-free.
Things tend to get done efficiently and systematically, at the immigration and customs, as well as private companies involved in relocation matters. You just need to take care of the usual coordination and administrative details.
Moving Arrangements
If your move is work-related, your company will probably help you engage a relocation company, or you may choose to engage one yourself. A relocation company is one that takes care of all the relocation arrangements needed in your move from one country or city to another, including real estate matters, visa and immigration, moving services, repatriation services and even welcome services such as language classes and orientation programmes.
If you’re making your own arrangements, engaging a one-stop relocation company is certainly convenient. Some relocation companies include:
| Name of Organisation |
Activities/Services |
Asian Welcome
(Sister company Relo8 Asia)
www.asianwelcome.com |
- Area Information and Orientation
- Temporary Accommodation
- Homefinding Assistance
- School and Education Counseling
- Family Assistance Services
- Visa and immigration
- Singapore based outfit with regional partner DSP networks
|
Orientations Pte Ltd
www.orientations.com |
- Area Information and Orientation
- Temporary Accommodation
- Homefinding Assistance
- School and Education Counseling
- Family Assistance Services
- Visa and immigration
- Singapore based outfit with branches in ASEAN location and Shanghai
|
Relocation Plus
www.relocationsplus.com |
- Area Information and Orientation
- Temporary Accommodation
- Homefinding Assistance
- School and Education Counseling
- Family Assistance Services
- Singapore based outfit with regional partner DSP networks
|
Brookfield Global Relocation Svcs
(previous GMAC Relocation)
www.brookfieldgrs.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
Cartus
www.cartus.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
Crown Worldwide
www.crownrelo.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services (includes own licensed property arm)
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
Pricoa Relocation
www.pricoarelocation.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
Primacy Relocation
www.primacy.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
Santa Fe Relocation Services
www.santaferelo.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
Sirva Relocation
www.sirva.com |
- Planning and Pre-Move Services
- Departure Services
- Destination Services
- Expense Collation and Reporting
- Visa and immigration
- Policy advise
- Global organisation
|
If you prefer to take care of each matter separately, or maybe you have someone helping you with different aspects of the relocation, you may need to engage just a moving company. Here are some companies you might like to consider:
Customs
If you’re moving residence to Singapore, you may be granted Goods and Services Tax (GST) relief on all your used household articles and personal items, except for liquor, tobacco products and motor vehicles. To find out more about conditions to the relief, visit the Customs website.
Some items are strictly prohibited to be brought into Singapore unless you have a permit for them. They are:
- Chewing tobacco and imitation tobacco products
- Cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape
- Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
- Endangered species of wildlife and their by-products
- Firecrackers
- Obscene articles, publications, video tapes/discs and software
- Reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes
- Seditious and treasonable materials
Bringing in Pets
Good news if you’re coming from Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland and wish to bring in your dog or cat – no quarantine is needed. All dogs or cats from other countries will be quarantined at the owner’s expense for 30 days upon arrival. The quarantine rules are imposed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) but the actual quarantine is carried out by a private company. Quarantine kennels are limited, so do reserve a place early.
You will need to apply for an import licence within 30 days of your pet’s arrival, with a health certificate and proof that your dog has been micro-chipped. Applications may be done online.
Some breeds of dogs are not allowed in Singapore. They are:
- Pit Bull - including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Bull Dog
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Tosa
- Akita
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Braziliero
- Crosses of these breeds
If you are staying in a public Housing Development Board (HDB) flat, you may keep no more than one dog, and only certain breeds are allowed. Cats are not allowed in HDB flats.
To find out more about transportation arrangements for dogs and cats with the airlines, please click here.
If you’re looking to import other types of animals, do check out the AVA website for information and regulations.