Rice Stockpile Scheme

In Singapore, rice is a controlled item under the Price Control Act (Chapter 244) and the Price Control (Rice) 1990 issued by the Minister of Trade and Industry (MTI). Over and above, the licence which is required to import (into Singapore or Singapore Free Trade Zone), re-export and carry out wholesale dealings of rice, each rice importer of a stock pile grade is required to participate in the Rice Stockpile Scheme (RSS), which ensures that there is an adequate supply of rice in the market. Only business entities or companies registered in Singapore can apply for this licence. To register your company in Singapore, please click here.

No.	Types of Licences	Activities
1	Licence to import and carry on wholesale dealings in stockpile grade rice Licence to import and carry on wholesale dealings in stockpile grade rice	Import of white rice, basmati rice, parboiled rice and ponni rice. Stockpile Licence holders must participate in the Rice Stockpile Scheme (RSS).
2	Licence to import and carry on wholesale dealings in non-stockpile grade rice Import of glutinous rice, brown rice, red rice, cargo rice, wild rice.	Import of glutinous rice, brown rice, red rice, cargo rice, wild rice.
3	Licence to import for re-export Import of rice for re-export only (FTZ). Consignments shall be kept at FTZ (Free Trade Zone).	Import of rice for re-export only (FTZ). Consignments shall be kept at FTZ (Free Trade Zone).
4	Licence to import for manufacturing Import of 100% broken white rice for manufacturing purposes.	Import of 100% broken white rice for manufacturing purposes.
5	Licence to carry on wholesale dealings in rice Import of rice is not permitted. This licence is for merchants to carry out wholesale dealings in all types of rice within Singapore.	Import of rice is not permitted. This licence is for merchants to carry out wholesale dealings in all types of rice within Singapore.

The Rice Stockpile Scheme (RSS) is operated under the legal framework of the Price Control Act (Chapter 244) issued by the Minister for Trade and Industry.

Under the RSS, all White Rice, Basmati Rice, Ponni Rice and Parboiled Rice are classified as stockpile grade rice. Importers of these types of rice for local distribution must join the RSS as licensed stockpile participants.

For import of white rice, rice stockpile participants have to pre-commit on the quantity that they wish to import monthly for local distribution, with a minimum of 50 tonnes every month.

For import of basmati, parboiled and ponni rice, there is no minimum MIQ.

All RSS participants are obliged to keep a Prescribed Stockpile Quantity (PSQ) in the government-designated warehouses.

The Rice Stockpile belongs to the individual stockpile participant, although the Government has the right to acquire the rice (with compensation) during an emergency.

For more information on the computation of the prescribed stockpile quantity (PSQ) for the different types of rice, click here.

Criteria: Be a business entity or company registered in Singapore
Cost: S$50 per licence for life.

1. Click here to apply online via the GoBusiness Licensing Portal.

2. For a step by step guide on the application process, click here.

Enterprise Singapore will contact the applicants for confirmation on their understanding of the licensing conditions and registration at stockpile warehouse (if applicable).
The application process will take 3 working days upon receiving all necessary documents. The applicant will be notified by via SMS or email upon approval in the GoBusiness Licensing Portal. Enterprise Singapore will not entertain any calls or queries on status of application before 3 working days.

For more information on permit applications for import, HS codes, current rice licenses, the government designated warehouses and FAQs, please visit the Rice Portal here.