Tax Refund

Tax Refund Schemes

While you are in Singapore, you can get a refund on the seven percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on your purchases. Look out for retailers displaying the “Tax Refund” logo and spend SGD100 or more to qualify. GST is refunded directly to you at selected retailers, Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport on goods that are brought out of Singapore. A handling fee for the refund service may be deducted from the GST amount. Please note that tax refund is available for departure by air only.

Refunds via the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS)

Claiming GST refund is easy and hassle-free—thanks to the eTRS. Simply charge all your purchases to one credit card, which will be used later as a Token. This Token will allow you to easily retrieve all your purchasing history made on your credit card during your stay in Singapore, when you apply for GST refunds at the eTRS self-help kiosks*.

Refunds via Paper Form

Some retailers may not be on the eTRS and you might be issued with paper refund forms instead. Do complete and sign the refund form at the point of issue. Collect your original invoice/receipt and the eTRS Ticket before leaving the shop. Upon departure at the airport, please proceed to the Customs Inspection Counter to have your forms stamped.

5 Simple Steps to Claim Your Tax Refund:

1. At the Shops

When shopping at eTRS retail shops, use one credit card as your Token for linking up all your purchases. Ask for your eTRS Ticket, original invoice/receipt before leaving the shop.

When shopping at retailers not on eTRS yet, ask for your paper refund form, complete and sign it at point of issue. Collect your original invoice/receipt before leaving the shop.

2. Before Departure

If you plan to check-in your purchases, first apply for GST refund at the eTRS self-help kiosk for purchases issued with eTRS Tickets. If you have paper refund forms, proceed to the Customs Inspection Counter.

If you plan to hand-carry your purchases, check-in and proceed to the Departure Transit Lounge (after Departure Immigration.) To apply for GST refund for purchases issued with eTRS Tickets, proceed to the eTRS self-help kiosk. If you have paper refund forms, proceed to the Customs Inspection Counter.

3. At the eTRS Self-Help Kiosk

Use the credit card that you have assigned as a Token to retrieve all your purchase details. Otherwise, scan your eTRS Tickets individually to retrieve your purchase details. Follow the instructions on the eTRS self-help kiosk to apply for your GST refund claims. You may be required to show your purchases. at the Customs Inspection Counter. Proceed to Customs Inspection Counter if you have paper refund forms.

4. Refunds Through Paper Forms

Head to the Customs Inspection Counter to have your forms stamped and purchases inspected.

5. Collect The Refund

If you have chosen to have the refund credited directly into your credit card at the eTRS self-help kiosk, you may proceed to boarding. If you have chosen cash refunds, proceed to the Central Refund Counter in the Departure Transit Lounge (after Departure Immigration) to collect your cash.

If you have paper refund forms issued by Global Blue or Premier Tax Free (after these are stamped at the Customs Inspection Counter), proceed to the respective counters in the Departure Transit Lounge (after Departure Immigration) to submit the stamped forms and collect your refund.

If you have paper refund forms issued by retailers operating their own refund schemes (after these are stamped at Customs Inspection Counter), deposit the stamped forms into the post box at the airport. Forms will be sent back to the retailers for processing.

*eTRS Kiosk Locations and Operational Hours

eTRS self-help kiosks are operational 24-hours, and are located at Changi International Airport’s Terminal 3. From mid-August 2011, more kiosks will be located at Changi International Airport’s Terminal 1, 2, Budget Terminal and Seletar Airport. Customer service officers are stationed round the clock to assist travellers.

For more information and eligibility, click here »