IRAS has issued the eighteenth edition of its GST: Major Exporter Scheme e-Tax Guide, outlining updated requirements on eligibility, compliance, operational procedures, GST reporting and record-keeping for approved businesses.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has published the e-Tax Guide GST: Major Exporter Scheme (Eighteenth Edition) on 3 August 2026, setting out the latest guidance on the operation of the Major Exporter Scheme (MES). The guide explains the qualifying conditions, approved uses, compliance obligations, GST reporting requirements and internal control standards that apply to businesses participating in the scheme.
Under Regulation 45 of the Goods and Services Tax (General) Regulations, the Major Exporter Scheme (MES) allows approved businesses to suspend payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST) when importing non-dutiable goods. Instead of paying GST at the point of importation, eligible businesses defer the tax, helping exporters avoid financing import GST before claiming it back through their GST returns.
Businesses that subsequently sell imported goods in Singapore must continue to charge and account for GST at the prevailing rate, while exports remain zero-rated.
Approved uses and restrictions
The guide states that businesses granted MES status may only use the scheme for purposes approved by IRAS, with these conditions carrying the force of law.
Approved scenarios include importing a business’s own goods, acting as a Section 33(2) Agent or Section 33A Agent for qualifying overseas principals, removing goods from a Zero-GST (ZG) warehouse, and Section 33B Re-importation of value-added goods belonging to local or qualifying overseas customers.
IRAS also reiterates that misuse of MES status is an offence. Businesses must not import goods on behalf of unauthorised parties, including related companies, business partners or GST-registered overseas principals where the business acts as a Section 33(1) agent. The guide also confirms that MES cannot be used for importing investment precious metals (IPM), materials intended for refining into IPM for local sales, or goods used to make exempt supplies.
The authority further notes that MES approval is non-transferable. Where a business is transferred as a going concern, the new owner must submit a separate application for MES status.
Eligibility requirements
The updated guide sets out the conditions businesses must meet to obtain and retain approval.
Applicants must be registered with the Comptroller of GST, remain financially solvent, import goods for business purposes, maintain good compliance records with both Singapore Customs and IRAS, and have adequate internal controls and accounting records.
To qualify, zero-rated supplies must account for more than 50% of total supplies or exceed SGD 10 million over a continuous 12-month period. Businesses making mainly exempt supplies remain ineligible unless they satisfy the De Minimis threshold.
Businesses must also complete an annual review under the Assisted Self-Help Kit (ASK) framework and submit a certified declaration by an Accredited Tax Practitioner (GST) or Accredited Tax Advisor (GST) registered with the Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals Limited (SCTP), unless they qualify for the GST Assisted Compliance Assurance Programme (ACAP) or submit valid Post ACAP Review (PAR) declarations. The Comptroller may also require an electronic guarantee as part of the approval or renewal process.
Applications, renewals and operational procedures
New applicants are required to submit Form GST F10 together with 12 months of trading figures or projected figures for newly established or restructured businesses. Applications are generally processed within one month, with successful approvals typically remaining valid for three years.
Renewals require submission of Form R1 and a certified ASK declaration upon invitation, with renewed approvals generally valid for five years.
Approved businesses must activate their Customs Account and subscribe to TradeNet to clear imported goods. They may authorise up to 20 declaring agents through the myTax Portal. The guide also confirms that DHL, Federal Express and UPS are automatically authorised as declaring agents under MES unless businesses choose to opt out.
GST reporting and record-keeping
The guide reiterates that imports under MES must be reported in Box 5 and Box 9 of the GST return, while no input tax may be claimed in Box 7 because GST payment has been suspended.
Local sales must be reported in Box 1 and Box 6, with exports declared as zero-rated supplies in Box 2. Where import values are incorrectly declared, businesses must amend the values in Box 5 and Box 9 for the relevant accounting period, and no additional Customs permit is required to declare shortfalls.
IRAS also sets out record-keeping requirements that carry the force of law. Approved businesses must maintain documented procedures linking inventory records with GST reporting and retain import permits, commercial invoices, shipping documents, warehouse records, customer orders, export permits, delivery records and stock-taking documentation to support compliance.
