Arriving in Singapore by plane

A smooth arriving makes a pleasant start to your trip to Singapore. If you are arriving by plane, your aircraft will touch down at the Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Often called simply as Changi Airport, it has repeatedly been voted as one of the best airports in the world.

Changi Airport is a very easy airport to navigate. The airport comprises three terminals, namely Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 (see map). These three main terminals are interconnected by Skytrain at Stations A, B, C, D, E and F. In addition, there is a Budget Terminal, which is connected to the three main terminals via a free shutter bus service.

IMMIGRATION

It doesn't really matter whether you are arriving at Terminal 1, 2 or 3, just follow the "Arrivals" sign toward the Immigration Halls. There are two queuing areas, one for returning Singapore nationals, while the other is for other nationalities. Get ready your passport with supporting documents such as visa and arrival card. If you are coming from areas endemic with Yellow Fever, be sure to have ready a fever vaccination certificate. countries endemic for Yellow Fever include Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Columbia, Congo, Cote d’Ivorie, Democratic Rep of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Rep of Tanzania and Venezuela. For more details on Singapore entry requirements, visit the website of the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, http://app.ica.gov.sg/travellers/index.asp or call +65-6391-6100.

BAGGAGE CLAIM

After clearing Immigration, passengers proceed to the baggage carousel to retrieve your bags. This is located on the ground floor, after Immigration and before Customs. Look for the right carousel according to your flight number as shown on the information displays. There are free trolleys for your use.

In case you discover that your bag is lost or damaged, please proceed to the Lost & Found counter for help. The airline of the passengers arriving by plane is responsible for your bags from the point of check-in to the point of collection, so you can also contact the handling agent representing the airline. The following are the contact numbers of the handling agents:

Terminal 1

Changi International Airport Services (CIAS): (65) 6511 0459

Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS): (65) 6541 8543/ 8553

Swissport Singapore (Swissport): (65) 6542 5711

Terminal 2

Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS): (65) 6541 8872/4/5/7

Terminal 3

Changi International Airport Services (CIAS): (65) 62475714

Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS): (65) 6501 2654

If you need porter assistance, you'd be pleased to note that free porter service is available. However, since this is limited, you may need to book in advance or try calling the following numbers upon arrival.

Terminal 1 : (65) 9179 4836

Terminal 2 : (65) 9117 6311

Terminal 3 : (65) 9649 9208

CUSTOMS

After collecting your bags, go through Customs. Use the Green Channel if you have no dutiable, controlled or prohibited items. There are four types of dutiable goods in Singapore:

Intoxicating liquors, including spirits, wine, beer, ale and stout;

Tobacco, including cigarettes and cigars;

Motor spirit; and

Motor cars and motorcycles/motor scooters

If you are at least 18 years old, have arrived from countries other than Malaysia, and have been away from Singapore for at least 48 hours, you are entitled to duty free concessions of 1 liter of liquor or wine. For a full list of dutiable goods, go to the Singapore Customs website, http://www.customs.gov.sg/. If not sure, use the Red Channel. In any case, the customs officers may check your bags whether you use the Green or Red channels.

GST

There is a Good and Services Tax (GST) of 7% levied on all goods imported into Singapore. However, you are granted GST relief for all new purchases (except liquor and tobacco) according to the following conditions:

For Travelers 18 years old and above

Time Away from S'pore:

Less than 24 hours: S$50.00

24 to 48 hours: S$150.00

More than 48 hours: S$300.00

For Travellers below 18 years old

Time Away from S'pore

Less than 24 hours: No Relief

24 to 48 hours: S$50.00

More than 48 hours: S$100.00

GST is levied on goods purchased exceeding the above values. GST relief will not be offered to work-permit, employment, student, dependent or long-term pass holders.

STORAGE

If you need to leave your baggage at the airport, there is a left baggage service for you to temporarily store your bags, coats or other items. After clearing customs, look for the "Left Baggage" sign. It is on the ground floor of Terminal 2 and Basement 2 of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3.

GETTING OUT OF CHANGI AIRPORT

You have the following options to get out of the airport:1 Taxis2 Airport Shuttle3 Trains (MRT)4 Public Buses5 Limousine Taxis / Maxi-Cabs6 Car Rentals

To find out more, click on Leaving Changi Airport

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