About this agreement
China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner since 2013. The China – Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) eliminates tariffs for 95% of Singapore’s exports to China, allows for third-party invoicing of goods, safeguards market access, and ensures a more predictable operating environment for service suppliers.
1 January 2009
Original Agreement
25 October 2011
Protocol to Amend the CSFTA
16 October 2019
Upgraded Protocol
1 January 2020
Rules of Origin provisions for petrochemical exports from Singapore
Key benefits
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Upgraded Protocol- Increased efficiency and predictability for traders in the areas of Release of Goods, Advance Rulings and Express Shipments
- Enhanced market access into China’s legal, maritime and construction services sector
- Enhanced investment protection for Singapore investors in China and a more robust Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism
- Digitalised submission of Certificate of Origin with the Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES) from November 2019 onwards
- Improvements in Rules of Origin (ROO) allow more petrochemical exports from Singapore to qualify for preferential treatment (with effect from 1 January 2020)
Eligibility
Use the Tariff Finder to see if your product is eligible to enjoy this FTA's tariff concessions.
Alternatively, you can explore the following steps to check your eligibility.
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Your product’s preferential rateCheck the Tariff Schedule for preferential rates offered on your product.
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Your product’s rule of origin
Rules of origin are a set of criteria which determine a product's originating status in each respective FTA.
It is put in place to ensure that only goods originating from the FTA partner countries will benefit from tariff concessions.
Is your product obtained/produced entirely within Singapore? 
Your product is considered wholly obtained in Singapore 
Does your product fall under the list of Product Specific Rules?
Your product may be considered as originating from Singapore/China
40% of its contents must originate from Singapore/China Is your product obtained/produced entirely within Singapore?
Your product is considered wholly obtained in Singapore Does your product fall under the list of Product Specific Rules?
Your product may be considered as originating from Singapore/China 40% of its contents must originate from Singapore/China
Apply
Singapore Customs is the authorised body in Singapore for FTA Preferential Certificate of Origin (PCO) application.
If your product is eligible, follow these application steps to enjoy tariff concessions:- Register your factory with Singapore Customs using the Manufacturer's Application Form
- Submit the Manufacturing Cost Statement
- Apply for a Preferential Certificate of Origin (PCO)
The process from registration to receiving the PCO typically takes less than one month.
Submit your application
Apply for a PCO with export permit under the China – Singapore Free Trade Agreement via TradeNet.
Resources
Need additional help?
For assistance, contact us at +65 6898 1800, reach us here or visit the SME Centres.
China – Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA)
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