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Singapore Shopping Tips Overview | General Info. | Shopping | Dining | Accommodation | Attractions | Festival | TransportationShopping Tips Before hitting the stores, do equip yourself with information on local practices and conditions. The shopping tips provided below will help make your shopping experience in Singapore a pleasant one. It is also a good idea to check with your hotel concierge or visit any Singapore Visitor Centre for assistance, upon arrival. Shopping Hours A good number of department stores and some smaller shops are open daily from 1000 hrs to about 2100 hrs, or even 1000 hrs. Singapore is one of the few countries in the world it is reasonably safe out in the streets even late at night. As long as basic precautions are taken, you can shop in peace. Mustafa Centre in Little India is the only department store in Singapore that is open 24 hours a day, everyday! Prices and Bargains The local newspapers are usually a good bet on the most current sales and promotions. You may wish to take time to browse and compare prices before purchasing. In department stores, all items price-tagged and prices are fixed. Many small retailers also practise price tagging but are often flexible when approached for a discount. Ask the retailer for his "best price" and then counter-offer with realistic prices until both of you reach an agreement. Credit/Charge Cards Almost all stores accept major international credit and charge cards. Should you come across a shop insisting on adding a surcharge, do contact the local office of the card company so that corrective action can be taken. Money For travellers’ cheques and other financial matters, approach the banks which generally operate from 0930 hrs to 1530 hrs, from Mondays to Fridays, and from 0930 hrs to 1130 hrs on Saturdays. For greater convenience, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are conveniently located at banks and most shopping centres and are open round-the-clock. Keep a lookout for these machines displaying Plus and Cirrus signs. You can exchange currency at all banks, hotels, and wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Receipts and Return Policies All department stores and smaller retail shops provide either cash slips or receipts upon purchase. Feel free to ask for one if this step is omitted and be sure that details shown on the receipt are accurate. Larger shops and department stores will exchange goods if they are returned in good, original condition. However, returns are usually accepted only within a specified number of days (usually three) from the purchase date, and upon presentation of the receipt. Smaller shops may not be so accommodating, so always check goods carefully as well as the shop’s return policy before making a purchase. If you're undecided about a purchase in a department store and would like to take some time to consider, just ask the sales assistant to put it aside for you. Items can usually be reserved for a maximum of three days. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Global Refund GST Scheme A 5% GST is levied in Singapore. Foreign visitors may claim back the GST paid on purchases. GST refunds are not applicable for land and cruise departures. Under the Global Refund GST Scheme, visit any store that displays the “TAX FREE SHOPPING” logo and follow these simple steps: 1. Spend a minimum of SGD 100 at any Global Refund affiliated retailer. 2. Present your passport to the retailer to obtain a completed Global Refund Cheque. 3. Get the Cheques validated at the Singapore Customs counter at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1 or 2 as proof of export. The goods purchased, along with the receipts and Global Refund Cheques must be presented for verification. 4. Claim your GST refund in the form of cash, credit card, bank cheques or Airport Shopping Vouchers at Global Refund counters in the airport. A small handling fee will be deducted from the GST amount due to you. Global Refund's Cash Refund Network Singapore Changi Airport - after Immigration check-in area • Terminal 1 & 2, 24 hours daily Downtown Cash Refund Centres (DCR) - at Customer Service or Information Counter • Funan The IT Mall (Level 2), 1100 hrs - 2000 hrs daily • Centrepoint (Level 1), 1100 hrs - 2100 hrs daily • Sim Lim Square (Level 1), 1100 hrs - 2000 hrs daily • Wisma Atria (Level 1), Mon - Sat: 1000 hrs - 2000 hrs, Sun & Public Holiday: 1200 hrs - 2000 hrs You may also visit any Downtown Cash Refund Centre to claim your GST refund immediately after shopping. Downtown Cash Refunds are provided in Singapore currency and are limited to a maximum of SGD 500 per tourist. Tourists are required to produce their Visa or Mastercard credit card with a six-month validity in order to use the service. They must also obtain Customs endorsement on the Global Refund Cheque within two months from the date of issue, before departing by air travel. For more information on the Global Refund GST Scheme, please visit www.globalrefund.com or email: taxfree@sg.globalrefund.com or call the 24-hour hotline: + 65 6225 6238. Retailers that are not affiliates of the Global Refund scheme/Premier Tax Free scheme administer their own GST refund schemes. You are advised to check with these retailers on the minimum purchase amount to qualify for GST refund, as it varies from retailer to retailer. The Downtown Shopping Voucher programme, a joint initiative of Global Refund and the Singapore Tourism Board, will run in Singapore until 30 September 2006. Premier Tax Free GST Scheme Since November 2003 Premier Tax Free has been endorsed by the Singapore Tourism Board to provide a GST Refund service in Singapore. Under the Premier Tax Free GST Scheme, visit any store that displays the "PREMIER TAX FREE" logo and follow these simple steps:- 1. Ask for your Premier refund when you spend only SGD 100 at a single participating shop. There is no need to accumulate vouchers to a value over SGD 300 as before. 2. Complete your GST Voucher before departure. 3. Have your Premier Voucher validated by Customs at Changi Airport Terminal 1 or 2 or Seletar Airport as proof of export. Your goods purchased, along with your receipts, must be presented for verification. 4. Claim your Premier GST refund in the form of cash, credit card, bank cheques at the Premier Tax Free counters in the airport next to Customs. A small handling fee will be deducted from the GST amount due to you. No additional service charge is applied to credit card refunds. Retailers that are not affiliates of the Premier Tax Free scheme may administer their own GST refund schemes. You are advised to check with these retailers on the minimum purchase amount to qualify for GST refund, as it varies from retailer to retailer. For more information, log on to www.premiertaxfree.com or contact Premier Tax Free, 371 Beach Road, Singapore 199597, Tel: + 65 6293 3811, Fax: +65 6293 3011. Warranty Check that the warranty card for your purchase bears the correct details of the product purchased and is endorsed with the retailer's stamp. International warranties can be obtained for many goods, usually for a 12-month period, but some products are not accompanied by warranties and these are usually sold at a lower price. Some international warranties have limitations, and may not be applicable to certain countries. Most shops will comply with your requests for guarantee statements, but if one is not forthcoming, it may be best to simply shop elsewhere. Delivery Many larger stores offer international shipping. To ensure timely delivery, do request for a written confirmation of your instructions. It is preferable to cover your purchase for damage in transit and loss by buying an All Risk insurance which the shop can arrange for you. Also, contact your national diplomatic representative to check the latest customs regulations of your country. If you are sending purchases home by post, check with the Singapore Post for information on requirements and regulations for air and sea delivery. Post offices are generally open from 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs on weekdays, and 0830 hrs to 1300 hrs on Saturdays while certain branches have extended opening hours. Some hotels provide a parcel wrapping service. Export Permits All weapons (even swords and kris bought as souvenirs) must be accompanied by export permits issued by the Singapore Arms and Explosives Branch at 391, New Bridge Road, #02-701, Police Cantonment Complex, Singapore 088762, Tel: (65) 6557 5822. Singapore and many other countries place restrictions on items from endangered species such as ivory and skins. If in doubt, check with your national diplomatic representative whether a permit is required before you bring an item into your home country. CaseTrust CaseTrust is an accreditation programme, developed by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), which recognises good business practices among store-based and web-based business establishments. Visit www.case.org.sg for a list of CaseTrust members. Quality Jewellers of Singapore (QJS) QJS is a mark of trust for the Singapore jewellery industry. It is developed by the Singapore Jewellers Association, with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board and SPRING Singapore. QJS sets the benchmarks for the jewellery industry and also associates its members with a brand that represents a prestigious hallmark of service quality and reliability. When buying jewellery, look out for the QJS decals at certified jewellers around Singapore. Visit www.qjs.org.sg for a list of certified jewellers, or call the QJS Hotline at +65 6458 6377 Convenient Underpasses and Covered Walkways In the tropics, sudden thunderstorms are not unusual, especially during the monsoon months of November and December. Singapore is well equipped with underpasses and covered walkways that link one shopping complex to another to protect against such weather conditions. From Orchard Road MRT Station, for instance, underpasses alone can lead shoppers to as many as six different shopping centres! More Tips If you are having clothes tailor-made, establish a clear understanding about payment. It is wise to just leave a deposit when ordering, with full payment following only after you have inspected the completed garment for workmanship and fit. Source : Tourism of Singapore  Back to top |
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