When traveling to Singapore with items purchased abroad, understanding customs regulations is crucial for ensuring a smooth and hassle-free entry. Singapore is known for its strict customs laws, which are designed to protect its economy and society. Travelers should be aware of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which applies to all goods brought into the country.

This tax is a significant aspect of Singapore's customs policy and can lead to penalties if not properly managed. Knowing the rules ahead of time can help you avoid complications at the border.

GST Relief Allowances

If you have been overseas for 48 hours or more, you can bring in goods valued up to S$500 (approximately US$390) without paying GST. For trips shorter than 48 hours, the relief limit drops to S$100. This relief is specifically designed to ease the burden on travelers and is a key aspect of Singapore’s approach to tourism.

It’s important to note that this relief does not apply to alcohol and tobacco products, which are subject to higher tax rates. According to The Straits Times, exceeding these limits results in taxable amounts that must be declared either before or upon arrival, potentially leading to fines.

Recent Enforcement Actions

In recent months, nearly 200 tourists faced penalties at Singapore’s land, air, and sea checkpoints for attempting to smuggle cash and evade taxes on imported goods. Reports from Asia One indicated that 153 tourists were caught for failing to declare items, including tobacco, alcohol, and luxury goods.

These incidents highlight the importance of being informed about customs regulations and understanding the potential consequences of non-compliance.

Declaration of Goods

Travelers must declare all items acquired overseas, whether they are new purchases or items used during the trip, such as jewelry, designer handbags, and clothing. Singapore Customs mandates that all goods brought into the country are subject to GST, regardless of whether you have already paid foreign sales tax or VAT.

Misconceptions often lead to confusion; for instance, removing price tags or buying second-hand items does not exempt these goods from taxation. Only items already owned before leaving Singapore qualify as personal belongings that are exempt from GST.

Gifts and GST

Another common misunderstanding is that gifts are exempt from GST. In reality, all goods, including gifts, are taxed based on their total value upon entry. If someone gifts you a luxury bag worth S$5,000, you must declare it if it exceeds the GST relief threshold.

If a receipt is unavailable, customs officers will assess the item's value based on the price of similar goods. This can lead to unexpected tax liabilities, making it essential for travelers to be aware of the rules regarding gifts.

Additional Tips for Travelers

• Know the Prohibited Items: Familiarize yourself with items that are prohibited or restricted in Singapore. This includes certain types of drugs, pornography, and items that may infringe on intellectual property rights. The Singapore Customs website provides a comprehensive list of these items.
• Use the Customs@SG App: This app not only allows for pre-declaration but also provides up-to-date information on customs regulations and guidelines. It’s a handy tool for travelers to have on their smartphones, allowing for easier navigation of customs processes.
• Keep Receipts: Always keep receipts for high-value items, especially luxury goods. This can facilitate the declaration process and provide proof of purchase if customs officers need to assess the value of your items.
• Travel Insurance: Consider getting travel insurance that covers customs-related fines or losses. This can provide peace of mind, especially for high-value items or if you are unsure about what to declare.
• Plan Your Arrival: Arrive at customs checkpoints during off-peak hours if possible. This can reduce waiting times and make the process smoother, allowing you to start your visit without delays.
• Pack Smartly: Organize your luggage so that items requiring declaration are easily accessible. This will speed up the inspection process and minimize hassle during customs checks.
• Consult Customs Officials: If you are ever in doubt about whether an item needs to be declared, consult customs officials at the airport or checkpoint. It’s always better to ask than to risk penalties.
• Stay Updated: Customs regulations can change, so it’s wise to check the Singapore Customs website for the latest updates before your trip. This ensures you have the most current information regarding what you can bring into the country.

Kuwait has officially approved the issuance of seven-day transit visas for select travelers entering the country via land, particularly through the Abdali border crossing, as part of its strategy to streamline border procedures and enhance regional mobility. The new visa policy, directed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, specifically targets Gulf citizens, expatriates residing in GCC countries, European nationals, and diplomatic personnel, especially those arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iran.

Colonel Waleed Al-Azmi, Director of the Abdali Border Crossing Administration, announced that the transit visa allows eligible non-residents to stay in Kuwait for up to seven days, enabling travel between Abdali Port and Kuwait International Airport, or vice versa, to organize onward journeys or complete necessary travel arrangements. The visa is not extendable and does not permit holders to work or study in Kuwait.

To apply, travelers must present a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward ticket, and proof of transit, such as accommodation details or supporting documents for their next destination. The visa application can be submitted through the Kuwait Port Authority, Kuwaiti consulates, or, for some nationalities, via an online portal. The processing fee is KWD 2 (about USD 6.50).

Diplomatic personnel and embassy representatives are also permitted to be present at the border to assist their nationals during the entry and exit process, ensuring smoother procedures and additional support. This move is coordinated between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with certain exceptions and special exemptions available for select nationalities.

The introduction of the 7-day transit visa reflects Kuwait’s broader efforts to facilitate cross-border movement, support regional connectivity, and maintain robust security and compliance at its borders

Thailand’s tourism sector is facing significant challenges as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict disrupts travel from key Middle Eastern markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warns that arrivals from five countries Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria could drop by as much as 50%, with early signs of decline already evident in popular destinations like Phuket due to airspace closures.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the TAT, explained that several major airlines flying to Thailand including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and SalamAir have rerouted flights to avoid conflict zones. Tehran-based Mahan Air has temporarily suspended its Bangkok and Phuket routes, causing the Iranian market to effectively vanish during this period.

These five countries represent about 7% of Middle Eastern visitors to Thailand, with the region (excluding Israel) accounting for 100,781 travelers in June 2024. The timing of the conflict coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, a peak travel period that last year brought 7,165 tourists from these markets. This year, arrivals are expected to fall sharply to between 3,500 and 5,000 as tourists and airlines postpone trips amid uncertainty.

The TAT is also monitoring potential longer-term impacts on larger Middle Eastern markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, which together contribute 80% of Thailand’s Middle East tourism. Concerns over air travel safety could further dampen demand, affecting hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which are popular with Middle Eastern visitors.

If the conflict is resolved soon, arrivals may begin to recover in July. Some airlines, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, plan to launch new routes, such as the Amman-Bangkok service starting in August. However, a full recovery depends on how long and severe the conflict’s effects prove to be.

The TAT aims to attract 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East in 2025, an 11% increase over last year, and generate approximately 86 billion baht in revenue. As the situation evolves, Thailand’s tourism industry remains cautiously optimistic but vigilant about the challenges ahead.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with a 33% year-on-year (YoY) increase in tourist arrivals during the first 10 days of June 2025. The island welcomed 43,962 visitors compared to 33,017 in the same period last year.

The daily average number of tourists also rose significantly, reaching 4,396 visitors per day, up from 3,302 during the first 10 days of June 2024. This uptick is encouraging, especially given that June is traditionally an off-season month for travel to Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) projects 177,257 arrivals for the entire month of June. However, industry stakeholders remain cautious due to a shortfall in arrivals during the first five months of 2025. From January to May, tourist arrivals missed projections by a cumulative 279,452 visitors, underscoring ongoing challenges in converting interest into actual visits despite improving macroeconomic conditions.

Between January 1 and June 10, 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed over 1.07 million tourists, marking a 16% increase compared to 927,196 visitors during the same period in 2024. Notably, arrivals in January, February, and May 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels seen in 2018, highlighting Sri Lanka’s renewed appeal as a travel destination.

Despite these positive trends, consistent growth remains elusive. A key hurdle has been the delay in launching a global tourism campaign, which has not been updated in 16 years. The much-anticipated ‘Nation Branding’ campaign, set to launch on June 26, is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility in key markets and drive higher arrivals during the lucrative winter season.

In June 2025, India, the UK, and Bangladesh emerged as the top source markets, contributing 12,362, 3,740, and 2,717 tourists respectively. Year-to-date, India leads with 216,422 arrivals, followed by Russia (111,285) and the UK (100,014). These markets remain central to Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery strategy.

Sri Lanka aims to attract 3 million tourists and generate $5 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2025. To meet this target, the industry needs to draw approximately 1.93 million visitors 64.2% of the annual goal during the remaining months of the year. So far, the sector has generated over $1.54 billion in revenue in the first five months, with $3.46 billion still needed to reach the target.

In 2024, Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue reached $3.16 billion, a substantial 53.2% increase from $2.07 billion in 2023, reflecting the sector’s strong recovery momentum.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming Nation Branding campaign and further developments in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Starting July 1, 2025, residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding valid residency permits will be able to enter Armenia without a visa, marking a significant expansion of Armenia’s visa-free travel policy. Previously, only UAE nationals enjoyed visa-free access, while expatriate residents had to obtain visas on arrival.

The new policy applies to residents with residency permits valid for at least six months and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, leisure, or business purposes.

This change is part of a broader Armenian government initiative to enhance tourism, investment, and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The policy also aligns with Armenia’s visa-free arrangements for residents of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and the United States.

The Armenian cabinet approved this reform in May 2025 to facilitate easier travel for expatriates living in these economically significant regions and to boost Armenia’s attractiveness as a destination for short-term visitors and business travelers.

Armenia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, combined with its rich cultural heritage—including UNESCO World Heritage monasteries like Geghard and Khor Virap—and natural attractions such as Lake Sevan and Dilijan National Park, makes it an appealing destination for UAE residents, particularly expatriates.

The country is accessible via direct flights from Dubai and other UAE cities through airlines such as flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air. Armenian tourism officials expect the visa-free entry for UAE residents to increase tourist arrivals, strengthen economic relations, and promote business engagements between Armenia and the GCC.

Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairperson of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, emphasized that this milestone reflects Armenia’s commitment to making the country more accessible to regional travelers seeking meaningful cultural and leisure experiences. The visa waiver is also expected to encourage more frequent travel and investment flows, with officials optimistic about a rise in direct flights and business cooperation.

In summary, from July 1, 2025, UAE residents with valid residency permits will benefit from visa-free entry to Armenia for up to 90 days, a move designed to enhance tourism, business, and bilateral relations between Armenia and the GCC region.