Guide On How To Setup A Storage & Warehousing Business By Singapore Company Incorporation Specialist

To set up a storage and warehousing businessgoods such as tobacco and liquor and hazardous
requires several licenses and permits. But the firstsubstances before they sold in the marketplace.
couple of things you will have to do are:The second warehouse license is also issued by
1. Register your business first with the AccountingSingapore Customs. This license allows you to
and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singaporeconvert the entire or part of the warehouse into a
(ACRA). Your business must register as a solezero GST zone for non-dutiable goods and GST-paid
proprietorship, partnership or a private limitedgoods until they are released for sale in Singapore.
company. A private limited company is the bestAdditional Licenses & Permits
option given the liabilities involved in a storage andOccupational Safety and Health Division at Ministry of
warehousing business.Manpower (MOM) will also have to approve the
2. Secure a premise for your business. The premisepremise to ensure that it is a safe workplace. You will
has to be zoned for commercial use.also need a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) prior to
Securing a Premiseoccupying the building. You can obtain an FSC from
Once you have secured a space, do make sure thatSingapore Civil Defense Force through a registered
it is current on building codes and fire safetyarchitect or engineer.
measures. If the premise needs to be converted intoDepending on the goods that you plan to store in
a warehouse for storage of goods, you will have toyour warehouse, you may or may not require
obtain a permit from Urban Redevelopment Authorityadditional licenses or permits. If any of the goods are
(URA). URA has a specific rule called the 60:40 Ruleconsidered hazardous or flammable, you will have to
for the conversion. The rule stipulates that at leastapply for Permit to Buy and Store Hazardous
60% of the gross floor area (GFA) is designated forSubstances from National Environment Agency (NEA)
warehouse usage; and 40% of the GFA can be usedand Singapore Civil Defense Force respectively. You
for office space, cafeteria or communal facilities.can find the list of controlled hazardous substances at
Any major renovation of the premise requires an
application for a building work permit through BuildingIf the storage facilities involves lifting of heavy
and Construction Authority of Singapore (BCA).goods, you will need a Crane Operator License from
When the building works are complete, you will alsoMOM. When transporting dangerous goods such as
need to obtain from BCA: a Certificate of Statutorytoxic chemicals or flammable materials, a driver is
Completion and/or a Temporary Occupation Permitrequired to have Hazardous Materials Transport
before you can occupy the space. All renovationDriver Permit (HDTP). You can apply for a HDTP
works are to be performed by certified or licensedfrom the Singapore Civil Defense Force.
contractors including architects. A business signageWarehousing businesses involve a fair amount of
that is to be placed on the building will require andealings with the Singapore Customs. You will need to
application of an Advertisement License from BCA.activate your customs account using ACRA assigned
Warehouse LicensesUnique Entity Number (UEN) and Singpass. For more
There are two types of warehouse license that willinformation on Singapore Customs and importing
exempt you from paying the Goods & Services Taxgoods into Singapore, please see our article on To
(GST) while storing the goods in the warehouse. TheApply for License and Permits to Import Goods into
Singapore Custom issues the Warehouse License,Singapore.
which allows storage of all goods including dutiable