Singpost to adopt cashless payment for GST and duties on overseas items

The company will no longer collect cash-on-delivery of GST liable items.

Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) would implement a cashless payment system for Goods and Service Tax (GST) and duties on overseas items.

Starting 1 November, all duties and GST will be paid thru the SingPost Mobile app, SAM kiosks, or post offices. According to the company, this also means that the company will no longer collect cash payments at the time of delivery. 

GIRO settlement for registered corporate customers, meanwhile, remains unchanged.

Goods, online purchases, and gifts imported by post are covered under GST and/or duty.

Users will be notified of GST payable items upon receipt of taxable and dutiable items from overseas via a notification on the app. Alternatively, the user may also receive an SMS, email, or physical letter.

Payment must then be made within 14 calendar days. If payment is not made by the due date, Singpost will return the item to the sender.

Robin Goh, chief of Brand and Communications, Singpost, said that this decision was due to feedback given by customers on the current processes.

“Singaporeans are now very savvy with mobile apps, and we see the SingPost mobile app as a critical enabler to help improve our customer’s experience with their interactions with us. The GST and duty payment process change is one such example, and customers will not only be notified of GST and duty payable items, but also able to track their items and make the necessary payment all through a single app.”