Sachin Walls
Singapore Airlines include standard government taxes and airport and carrier surcharges in the fare price. However, some taxes and service fees are charged in addition to the fare. All governments impose taxes on air transportation, and these taxes are charged at the discretion of each country's government authority. Singapore's Changi Airport has recently announced a series of fee adjustments for passengers and airlines over the next six years, which will put it high on the list of the most expensive air hubs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport | Changi Airport |
| Current fees and taxes | $65.20 |
| Fees and taxes from April 2027 | To be increased in stages, reaching $79.20 in April 2030 |
| Service and security fee | $46.40, to be increased by $3 a year for four years from 2027 |
| Aviation levy | $8, to be increased to $10 in 2027 |
| Government levy | $10.80 |
| Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) | Allows tourists to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on goods purchased from participating retailers if they are taken out of Singapore via Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport |
| GST | 9% as of 1st January 2024 |
| Foreign transaction fee | Imposed by the bank when the credit/debit card used for payment is issued in a country different from the departure country |
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What You'll Learn
Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) in Singapore allows tourists to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on goods purchased from participating retailers. To be eligible for the TRS, the goods must be brought out of Singapore via Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport. The scheme is administered by Singapore Customs on behalf of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
To qualify for a refund under the TRS, tourists must satisfy certain conditions. These include purchasing goods from participating retailers, spending a minimum of SGD100 (including GST), and presenting their original passport in person to the retailer. Tourists can accumulate up to three same-day invoices or receipts from retailers with the same GST registration number and shop name to meet the minimum purchase amount.
Before departing from the airport, tourists should proceed to the electronic TRS (eTRS) self-help kiosk to apply for their GST refund. They will need to scan their physical passport to retrieve all eTRS transactions tagged to their passport. For check-in items, tourists should visit the eTRS self-help kiosks located in the Departure Check-in Hall before proceeding through departure immigration.
It is important to note that Singapore Customs does not issue eTRS transactions or process refunds. Tourists can check the status of their eTRS transactions and refunds by visiting touristrefund.sg and registering for an e-Service account. All refunds, whether cash or non-cash, are processed by Global Tax Free Pte Ltd, the approved Central Refund Counter Operator. Tourists can contact Global Tax Free Pte Ltd directly for enquiries relating to the status of their approved refunds.
Making a false declaration in the refund application to Singapore Customs is a serious offence and may result in penalties or imprisonment.
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Foreign transaction fees
When booking a flight with Singapore Airlines, standard government taxes and airport and carrier surcharges are included in the fare. However, some taxes and service fees are charged in addition to the fare displayed on the website. These additional charges may include foreign transaction fees.
In addition to foreign transaction fees, there are other charges and taxes that passengers may need to pay when departing from Singapore airports, such as Changi Airport. From April 2027, the fees levied on departing passengers at Changi Airport will increase gradually, reaching a total of $79.20 in April 2030, which includes various service and security fees. These fee hikes are implemented to cover rising costs and fund infrastructure improvements.
It is important to note that foreign transaction fees are typically separate from other airport taxes and fees, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Singapore. The GST is applicable on taxable goods and services purchased within Singapore, including at participating retail outlets in Changi Airport. As of 1st January 2024, the GST rate in Singapore is 9%. This tax may be included in the displayed price of items or added separately during the payment process.
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Higher fees for infrastructural projects
In Singapore, airport taxes are included in the airfare when booking with Singapore Airlines. However, some taxes and service fees may be charged in addition to the fare displayed on the website. These taxes are imposed at the discretion of the country's government authority and may be adjusted for inflation and currency fluctuations.
Regarding higher fees for infrastructural projects, large-scale infrastructure projects in Singapore undergo rigorous cost management measures. For instance, the Tuas Terminal Phase One project implemented a cost-saving measure by reusing excavated and dredged materials from other sites for land reclamation, reducing the need for sand by a few hundred million dollars.
The Development Projects Advisory Panel (DPAP), comprising senior officials, academics, and industry experts, conducts multiple stages of reviews for such projects before submitting them for approval to the DPC. This process ensures judicious management of costs for significant infrastructure developments like Changi Terminal 5, Tuas Mega Port, and the Jurong Lake District.
While specific details of additional fee structures for these projects are not publicly available, it is clear that Singapore takes a thoughtful approach to managing the costs of its large-scale infrastructure projects, balancing financial prudence with the need for world-class facilities.
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Taxes on dutiable goods
I could not find specific information on airport taxes in Singapore. However, I did find information on fees and taxes that travellers pay when booking a flight from Changi Airport. As of April 2027, fees levied on departing passengers at Changi Airport will increase in stages, reaching $79.20 in April 2030, a 21% jump. The fees are necessary to fund infrastructural projects and offset rising costs.
Now, here is some information on taxes on dutiable goods in Singapore:
Singapore's laws require arriving travellers to declare and pay duties and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on dutiable and taxable goods exceeding their duty-free concession and GST relief. Dutiable goods include intoxicating liquors such as spirits, wine, beer, and ale, as well as cigarettes and tobacco products, which must comply with Standardised Packaging (SP) requirements. Travellers must declare these goods at the Red Channel or Customs Examination Area before immigration clearance.
The GST is levied on all goods brought into or purchased within Singapore and has been in force since 1 April 1994. The tax rate recently increased to 9% as of 1 January 2024.
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) allows tourists to claim a refund of the GST paid on goods purchased from participating retailers if they are brought out of Singapore via Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport. Refunds can be claimed at electronic TRS (eTRS) self-help kiosks before departure.
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Service and security fees
Singapore Airlines includes standard government taxes and airport and carrier surcharges in the fare price. However, some taxes and service fees are charged additionally. A service fee of USD 50 (or equivalent in local currency) will be charged when you make reservations and ticketing requests through a Singapore Airlines office or their reservation hotline.
Credit and debit card companies may impose a foreign transaction fee if your card is issued in a country different from the one you are departing from. PayPal payments are processed in Singapore, except for flights departing from Australia, so your bank may impose a foreign transaction fee for PayPal payments if your PayPal account is linked to a card issued outside of Singapore.
Changi Airport charges departing passengers a service and security fee of $46.40, which will increase by $3 a year for four years from 2027. This fee hike will also apply to transit passengers and airlines. The airport's capacity is expected to almost double, from 32 million passengers to around 60-62 million. The fee increases will fund rising costs and a $3 billion investment in airport infrastructure.
In addition to the airport's service charge, the Philippine government levies a travel tax of between 300 and 2,700 pesos on departing passengers who are Filipino citizens or certain categories of foreigners. Tourists visiting the Philippines for less than a year are exempt from this tax.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport tax, also known as a service and security fee, is charged by the Changi Airport Group (CAG) to fund its operations. This fee is included in the total price of a flight when booking.
As of 2024, the airport tax in Singapore is $46.40. From 2027, this will increase by $3 per year for four years.
The TRS is administered by Singapore Customs and allows tourists to claim a refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on goods purchased from participating retailers. This refund can be claimed at Changi International Airport or Seletar Airport when departing Singapore.
Yes, arriving travellers must declare and pay duties and taxes on dutiable and taxable goods exceeding their duty-free concession and GST relief. This includes goods purchased overseas or in Singapore. Additionally, credit card service fees may be added to bookings made with a credit card, and foreign transaction fees may be imposed by your bank if your card is issued in a country different from your departure country.
