From July 1, Six Categories of Electrical Appliances Imported into Singapore Must Have a COR
From July 1, six categories of electrical appliances imported into Singapore must have a valid Certificate of Registration (COR) before they can be imported, sold, or advertised. The new requirement applies to air conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, household water heaters, and three-phase induction motors. Importers must ensure their products comply with the National Environment Agency (NEA) regulations, including the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and the Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS), to avoid customs delays, shipment detention, or regulatory penalties.
If you are selling electrical appliances from China to Singapore, please take note!
Starting July 1, Singapore has implemented new regulations for certain imported electrical appliances.
If the affected products do not have a valid COR (Certificate of Registration) before importation, they may face the following consequences:
❌ Customs may detain the shipment.
❌ The products may not be allowed to enter Singapore.
❌ Selling or advertising these products in Singapore may be prohibited.
❌ Serious violations may result in fines of up to SGD 10,000.
1️⃣ Which Electrical Appliances Are Affected?
The following six categories of controlled electrical appliances must comply with Singapore’s regulations:
❄️ Air Conditioners
Refrigerators
Clothes Dryers
Televisions
Household Water Heaters
⚙️ Three-Phase Induction Motors
2️⃣ What Is a COR?
COR stands for Certificate of Registration.
It is issued and administered by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA).
Before importing any of the six regulated electrical appliances into Singapore, the products must be registered with the NEA and comply with:
✅ Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)
✅ Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS)
Products that have not been registered are considered non-compliant with Singapore’s regulations.
3️⃣ What Happens If There Is No COR?
Effective July 1:
Customs may detain the shipment.
The products may not be allowed to enter Singapore.
Selling or advertising the products in Singapore may be prohibited.
Serious violations may result in fines of up to SGD 10,000.
4️⃣ Who Will Be Affected?
The following individuals and businesses should pay special attention:
✅ Consumers purchasing electrical appliances from China for import into Singapore
✅ Cross-border shoppers using platforms such as Taobao, 1688, Pinduoduo, and JD.com
✅ Cross-border e-commerce sellers
✅ Trading companies
✅ Purchasing agents and freight consolidation companies
✅ Electrical appliance importers
5️⃣ What Are the Requirements for COR Registration?
To obtain a COR:
✔️ Submit an application to the National Environment Agency (NEA).
✔️ The registration process takes approximately 7 working days.
✔️ The COR is valid for 3 years.
✔️ Registration and renewal are currently free of charge.
Reminder for Cross-Border Sellers
If you plan to export any of the above six categories of electrical appliances to Singapore, please ensure that:
✅ The products comply with Singapore’s Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
✅ The products have been successfully registered with the NEA and have obtained a valid COR.
✅ The required energy labels are correctly displayed.
✅ All documentation is complete before arranging shipment.
This will help avoid:
❌ Customs clearance delays
❌ Additional storage or handling charges
❌ Shipment detention or return
In Summary
From July 1 onwards, air conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, household water heaters, and three-phase induction motors exported to Singapore must obtain an NEA Certificate of Registration (COR) before importation. Products without a valid COR may be refused customs clearance, detained by Singapore Customs, and could be subject to penalties of up to SGD 10,000.