Importing specialty medicines into Singapore for personal use is allowed under Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) regulations, but the process is strict and document-based. Specialty medicines — such as oncology drugs, biologics, immunotherapy, and rare-disease treatments — undergo closer inspection to ensure safety and patient-specific use.
This guide provides a clear breakdown of what individuals must know before importing personal-use medications into Singapore.
Is Personal Import Allowed in Singapore?
Yes — Singapore allows individuals to import small quantities of prescription medicines for personal medical treatment, including specialty medicines.
However, strict rules apply:
- Medicines must be for your own treatment, not resale.
- Quantity must be reasonable (typically up to 3 month’s supply).
- Some substances require HSA import permits.
Specialty Medicines That May Need Additional Screening
Singapore applies stricter controls on:
- Cancer/chemotherapy medicines
- Biologics & biosimilars
- Immunotherapy & targeted therapies
- Rare-disease/orphan drugs
- Injectable and temperature-sensitive products
- Medicines containing controlled ingredients
Imports containing controlled drugs (e.g., certain pain medicines, psychotropics) require a Controlled Drug Import Permit.
Required Documents
To avoid delays or seizure, prepare:
Doctor’s Prescription
Must include:
- Patient name
- Medicine name, strength, dosage
- Duration of therapy
- Doctor’s details
Medical Summary / Treatment Letter
Includes:
- Medical condition
- Why the medicine is required
- Treatment plan
- Hospital/doctor details
Proof of Purchase (Invoice)
Must match prescription details.
Proof of Identity
Passport or Singapore NRIC/FIN.
Cold-Chain Handling Details (if applicable)
HSA Regulations for Personal Import
Singapore HSA may:
- Inspect parcels
- Request prescription documents
- Validate the medical need
- Impose restrictions depending on medicine type
- Require permits for controlled substances
- Reject or return shipments without documentation
HSA’s verification process is among the strictest in Asia.
Taxes & Duties
- Singapore may impose GST depending on declared product value.
- Specialty medicines valued above certain thresholds may need GST payment before release.
Quantity Limits for Personal Use
Singapore typically allows:
- Up to 3 months’ supply
- Larger quantities require strong justification and may be flagged
Anything beyond the allowed limit may be treated as commercial import, requiring product registration.
Permits Required for Certain Medicines
Some medicines require HSA import authorization, including:
- Controlled drugs
- Psychoactive substances
- Medicines with narcotic components
Without proper permits, these items may be seized.
Possible Customs Outcomes
Depending on the documents and medicine:
- Shipment is released
- Held for additional documents
- Forwarded to HSA for permit verification
- Returned to sender
- Seized if classified as restricted or misdeclared
Proper paperwork ensures smooth clearance.
Official Verification Links (for Customer Assurance)
You can safely add these to your blog:
- HSA – Bringing Personal Medications Into Singapore
https://www.hsa.gov.sg/personal-medications - Singapore Customs – Importing Goods for Personal Use
https://www.customs.gov.sg - HSA Controlled Drugs Information
https://www.hsa.gov.sg/controlled-substances
These links help customers verify the rules officially.
Important Notes
- This guide applies only to personal-use imports, not commercial shipments.
- Singapore’s rules are strict — always keep prescriptions and medical letters ready.
- Registering the medicine with HSA is not required for personal-use quantities.