Shopping Hours
A good number of department stores and some
smaller shops are open daily from 10am to about 9pm,
or even 10pm. Singapore is one of the few countries
in the world where you feel safe staying out in the
streets till late at night. As long as basic precautions
are taken, you can have peace of mind to shop and
walk around.
Mustafa Centre in Little India is the only department
store in Singapore that is open 24 hours, everyday!
Prices and Bargains
The local newspapers will give you a fair
idea of prices to expect and information on current
sales and promotions. You might also wish to take
time to browse and compare prices before purchasing
In department stores, all items price-tagged and prices
are fixed. Many small retailers also practise price
tagging but are often flexible when approached for
a discount. Ask the retailer for his "best price"
and then counter-offer with realistic prices until
both of you reach an agreement.
Credit/Charge Cards
Almost all stores accept major international
credit and charge cards. Should you come across a
shop insisting on adding a surcharge, do contact the
local office of the card company so that corrective
action can be taken.
Money
Banks throughout Singapore generally operate
from 9.30am to 3.30pm, from Mondays to Fridays, and
from 9.30am to 11.30am on Saturdays for travellers'
cheques transactions of and other financial matters.
For greater convenience, Automated Teller Machines
(ATMs) that are conveniently located at banks and
most shopping centres are open round-the-clock. Keep
a lookout for these machines displaying Plus and Cirrus
signs.
You can exchange currency at all banks, hotels, and
wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer"
is displayed.
Receipts and Return Policies
All department stores and smaller retail
shops provide either cash slips or receipts upon purchase.
Feel free to ask should they omit giving you one and
be sure that details shown on the receipt are accurate.
Larger shops and department stores will exchange goods
if they are returned in good, original condition.
However, returns are accepted only within a specified
number of days (usually three) from the purchase date,
and upon presentation of the receipt. Smaller shops
may not be so accommodating, so always check goods
carefully before purchasing. You may also want to
check out the shop's return policy before making a
purchase.
If you're undecided about a purchase in a department
store and would like a bit of time to consider, just
ask the sales assistant to put it aside for you. The
item can usually be reserved for a maximum of three
days.
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
A 5% GST is levied in Singapore.
Under the Global Refund GST Scheme, visit any store
that displays the "TAX FREE SHOPPING" logo
and follow these simple steps: -
1. Spend a minimum of SGD 300 at a single participating
shop or at least SGD 100 at each different participating
shops to accumulate a total purchase of SGD 300
2. Present your passport to the retailer to obtain a completed Global Refund Cheque
3. Get the cheques validated at the Customs of Changi Airport Terminal 1 or 2 as proof of export. The goods purchased, along with the receipts, must be presented for verification.
4. Claim your GST refund in the form of cash, credit card, bank cheques or airport shopping vouchers at Global Refund counters in the airport. A small handling fee will be deducted from the GST amount due to you.
The minimum purchase amount to qualify for a refund ranges between SGD 300 and SGD 500. More details may be obtained from the Global Refund counters located at both terminals of the Changi Airport.
You may also visit Global Refund's GST
cash refund counter located at level 2 of Scotts Shopping
Centre. The counter is open from 11am to 8pm daily.
Retailers that are not affiliates of the Global Refund
scheme administer their own GST refund schemes. You
are advised to check with these retailers on the minimum
purchase amount to qualify for GST refund, as it varies
from retailer to retailer.
Warranty
Check that the warranty card for your purchase
bears the correct details of the product purchased
and is endorsed with the retailer's stamp. International
warranties can be obtained for many goods, usually
for a 12-month period, but some products are not accompanied
by warranties and these are usually sold at a lower
price. Some international warranties have limitations,
and may not be applicable to certain countries.
Most shops will comply with your requests for guarantee
statements, but if one is not forthcoming, it may
be best to simply shop elsewhere.
Delivery
Many larger stores will oblige by shipping
your purchases to your home. To ensure timely delivery,
do request for a written confirmation of your instructions.
The retailer would be to your advantage for your purchase
to be covered for damage in transit and loss by buying
an All Risk insurance which the shop can arrange for
you. Also, contact your national diplomatic representative
to check the latest customs regulations of your country.
If you are sending purchases home by post, check with
the Singapore Post for information on requirements
and regulations for air and sea delivery. Post offices
are generally open from 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays,
and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays while certain branches
have extended opening hours. Some hotels provide a
parcel wrapping service.
Export Permits
All weapons (even swords and kris bought
as souvenirs) must be accompanied by export permits
issued by the Singapore Arms and Explosives Branch
at 391, New Bridge Road, #02-701, Police Cantonment
Complex, Singapore 088762, Tel: (65) 6557 5822. Singapore
and many other countries place restrictions on items
from endangered species such as ivory and skins. If
in doubt, check with your national diplomatic representative
whether a permit is required before you bring an item
into your home country.
CaseTrust
CaseTrust is an accreditation programme,
developed by the Consumers Association of Singapore
(CASE), which recognises good business practices among
store-based and web-based business establishments.
Errant Retailers
As in other countries, be wary of touts with
offers of free shopping tours, special discounts or
pirated goods. Visitors who encounter less than satisfactory
retailer practices can contact the Singapore Tourism
Board (Customer Information & Service Dept) located
at Tourism Court, 1 Orchard Spring Lane, Singapore
247729, Tel: 1800 736 3366 (toll-free in Singapore),
Fax: (65) 6734 7226, or email feedback@stb.com.sg.
If visitors wish to receive some form of redress within
24 hours (depending on the complexity of the claim),
you can also lodge your claim directly with the Small
Claims Tribunals (SCT) at: 2 Havelock Road, #05-00
Apollo Centre, Singapore 059763. An administrative
fee of S$10 is payable to the SCT.
Convenient Underpasses and Covered
Walkways
Our tropical weather might catch you unprepared
for sudden thundershowers, especially during the monsoon
months of November and December. However, Singapore
is well equipped with underpasses and covered walkways
that link one shopping complex to another. From Orchard
Road MRT Station, for instance, underpasses alone
can lead shoppers to as many as 6 shopping centres!
More Tips
If you are having clothes tailor-made, establish
a clear understanding about payment. It is wise to
just leave a deposit when ordering, with full payment
following only after you have inspected the completed
garment for workmanship and fit.
