Gemstone Dealer License
If you want to start a business as a gemstone dealer in Singapore, you’ll need to make sure you take the right steps and obtain the necessary licenses.
In Singapore, a Gemstone Dealer license is needed to regulate the sale and distribution of the precious metals industry. This is to ensure the highest standards, and ethical distribution of such valuable materials.
Do I need to have any type of pass/residency to apply for the GIP?
Investors may apply for Permanent Resident (PR) status via the GIP through the submission of the necessary application forms and documents.
Who needs to register?
Regulated dealers like jewellers and bullion traders. This does not include individuals or businesses who engage in gemstone transactions for non-commercial purposes, as well as retail jewellers who only sell finished jewellery and not the raw or wholesale gemstones.
How long is the license valid for?
The license is typically valid for 1 year, and must be renewed annually.
Fees:
- Application fee: $120
- Registration fee:
- Net price of sales < $2000: $250 per outlet/ year
- Net price of sales > $2000: $350 per outlet/
Employment Agent License
An employment agent license is required for businesses or individuals who want to provide employment services in Singapore. It is aimed to regulate the industry, ensuring professionalism and ethical services, as well as prevent any exploitation or illegal recruitment practices.
Who needs to register?
Anyone who provides services that give job opportunities. This includes employment agencies, maid agencies and Job placement agencies. However non-profit organisations as well as individuals who are offering casual or part-time job opportunities not on a commercial scale are not required to apply for the license.
You also need to be one of the following appointment holders:
- Owner (sole proprietorship and partnership)
- Managing director and director (company)
- Partner (limited liability partnership)
- General partner (limited partnership)
How long is the license valid for?
The license is valid for 3 years, and must be renewed afterwards.
Fees:
- Application fee: $400
- When the license is issued: $100
Food Shop License
A food shop license is issued by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and is required for any food establishments, such as food courts and restaurants. This license covers the preparation, handling and sale of food with the aims of ensuring public health and safety. Before applying, be sure to check your eligibility for the license.
How long is the license valid for?
The license is valid for 1 year and must be renewed afterwards.
Fees
- Food shop license: $195
When opening up a food establishment, you may also require additional licenses like:
Liquor license
- If your food establishment plans to serve alcohol, you will require a Liquor license from the Singapore Police Force
- There are multiple types of liquor licenses including
- Public House License
- Club License
Music License
- If you intend to play music at your food establishment, whether live or recorded, you will need to obtain a Music license from Compensation and Licensing Society of Singapore (COMPASS)
Outdoor seating license
- If your food establishment is intending to use a public space for outdoor seating (like sidewalk dining) you will need to have an outdoor seating license
Halal Certification
- You may register your establishment to have a Halal Certification with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)
Import permit
- For establishments who plan to import foreign food products such as meat, fish and vegetables, you will need to apply for an Import permit.
Trade License
The trade license framework in Singapore is necessary to regulate the import and export industry, to ensure high standards are met. It is aimed to protect consumers and promote fair trading in order to maintain Singapore’s reputation as a top trading hub.
Who needs a customs permit?
In order to import and export goods in Singapore, you will require a customs permit. This includes E-commerce sellers selling products internationally and transshipment traders moving food through Singapore to other countries. However, some goods such as personal belongings or low-value shipments may not require a permit.
All importers are also required to check if the goods they intend to import to Singapore are controlled goods. You may refer to the Singapore Customs database to check.
How long is the permit valid?
A customs permit is valid for one month from the date it was issued. However, this duration may vary, depending on the specific type of permit and its purpose.
Fees
- Permit application: $2.88
In addition to the import and export license, there are other specific licenses that you may also require:
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Certification
Transshipment permit
Strategic Goods Permit
Signboard license
Is your business planning to put up advertisements? You’ll need a signboard license to do so. In Singapore, a signboard license gives permission for businesses to display signboards that advertise a business. This includes shop signs and promotional banners.
However, if your signboard is only a temporary decoration, or if it is placed within your premises and isn’t visible to the public, a signboard license is not required.
Before applying, you must make sure your signboard adheres to the Guidelines stated by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)’s outdoor signage guidelines.
Travel Agent License
The Travel Agent license in Singapore is a license that allows companies to offer a wide range of travel-related services — booking flights, tours, travel packages.
Niche License
- Travel agents who intend to sell tours only within Singapore, without any rights of accommodation
- Minimum financial requirement: $50 000
General License
- Travel agents providing any services beyond that stated in the description of the Niche license
- Minimum financial requirement: $100 000
To apply, you need to be any of the following:
- The applicant (sole proprietorship
- A partner (partnerships)
- A member of the governing body of the unincorporated association (unincorporated association)
- Any director or officer holding a managerial or executive position eg General Manager or Managing Director. (Company, Limited Liability Partnership)
How long is my license valid for?
The license is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. Afterward, it will need to be renewed.
Fees:
- Application fee: $200
- License fee: $400
Hotel License
A hotel license is a license that is issued by the Singapore tourism board that allows a business to operate as a hotel. No matter how big or small your hotel is, you need this license. It ensures that the hotel meets all safety, legal and quality standards. Should your hotel provide additional services, you may require additional licenses. For example, a Housekeeping license.
Application period:
1 January – 30 November every year
Fees:
- Certificate of Registration
- 100 rooms or less: $200
- Less than 300 rooms: $300
- More than 300 rooms: $400
- House-keeper’s license: $100
How long is the license valid for?
The hotel license expires on 31 December every year.
You may also require additional licenses:
Manufacturer’s License
A manufacturers license is a license required for businesses who are involved in producing goods on a large scale. This ensures compliance with Singapore’s high safety, health and environmental standards.
Who needs a manufacturing license?
Your company needs a manufacturer’s license if it is involved in
- Manufacturing — production, packaging, labelling
- Primary packaging — placing and sealing of active ingredients
- Secondary packaging — placing sealed primary package within another outer packaging
Fees:
- Manufacturing of any active ingredient: $31 790
- Primary Packaging: $18 290
- Secondary Packaging: $9290
How long is the manufacturer’s license valid?
Licenses are valid for 12 months after the date of issuance. After that, the license must be renewed.
Additional related licenses you may need:
Pharmacy License
A Pharmacy license is a license required by businesses who want to sell pharmaceutical products in Singapore. This includes therapeutic products classified as Prescription-only medicines, or pharmacy-only medicines, and oral dental gums.
A retail pharmacy must be under the control of a pharmacist-in charge who
- Is a Singapore pharmacy council registered qualified pharmacist
- Holds a valid practising certificate
- Is in active practise
How long is my license valid for?
A retail Pharmacy License is valid for 1 year, and must be renewed after this period.