How to Import Shea Butter into Singapore
Tariff line, regulator, documents, transit from Lagos and clearance for Singapore — every fact sourced and dated.
Summary
- Customs authority
- Singapore uses 8-digit Harmonised System (HS) codes under the ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN). The STCCED 2022 adopts the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature 2022 (AHTN 2022).
- Cosmetics authority
- Cosmetic products supplied in Singapore must comply with the requirements under the Health Products Act and its Health Products (Cosmetic Products - ASEAN Cosmetic Directive) Regulations 2007 (the Regulations).
- Food authority
- The Singapore Food Agency administers food import requirements. Food consignments are declared to Singapore Customs and, where controlled, to SFA.
- National tariff line
- 1515.90 - Other : - - Other : 1515.90.91 - - - Crude oil ; 1515.90.92 - - - Fractions of unrefined oil ; 1515.90.99 - - - Other. Residual refined or other shea butter that is not illipe, tung or jojoba oil is declared as 1515.90.99 Other.
- Product notification
- Manufacturers and importers of cosmetic products need to notify their products before supplying them in Singapore. You will then need to submit your cosmetic product notification through PRISM. Each notification is valid for one year. Note: Our acknowledgement of product notification is not an endorsement of the product as we do not evaluate or approve the cosmetic product for supply in Singapore.
- Ports of discharge
- Singapore
- Transit from Lagos
- 28–42 days
- Certification priority
- HSA notification (finished cosmetics), HACCP, Halal (buyer-led)
- Labelling language
- English labelling for cosmetic products supplied in Singapore
- Specific to Singapore
- TradeNet is Singapore Customs' single window for import permits.
- Specific to Singapore (2)
- HSA notifications of cosmetic products are filed through PRISM and last one year.
- Specific to Singapore (3)
- STCCED 2022 classifies residual vegetable fats under 1515.90.99.
Nigerian shea butter for Singapore
Singapore does not grow shea commercially. Bulk shea butter is imported from the West African belt. Shea is not on Singapore's dutiable list; GST and a TradeNet permit are the usual frictions, not a shea duty. EMI Agro works with 5,000+ women collectors in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi. Singapore is the usual discharge.
Ask for a batch COA on a NIS 571:2013 basis: free fatty acid, peroxide value, moisture, colour and melting point. Reject lots that smell sharply rancid or pour like liquid oil at room temperature. HSA filings sit with the Singapore importer — they do not replace a COA.
Trial lots start at 5 tonnes; standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Send the request even if you need less — EMI Agro reviews every Singapore enquiry against current production of 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Lead time is Ibadan production plus ocean time to Singapore. Quotes are EXW, FOB or CIF; each term prices different services beyond the butter.
Two questions. We show the grade, the documents that usually apply and the next step — we do not invent a price.
- 1
Step 1 — Classify & tariff
Shea butter is classified under HS heading 1515.90 worldwide; Singapore extends it to the national line below.
Tariff classification for shea butter in Singapore (sources and dates in References) Item Value Source HS heading 1515.90 — global Harmonized System National tariff line 1515.90 - Other : - - Other : 1515.90.91 - - - Crude oil ; 1515.90.92 - - - Fractions of unrefined oil ; 1515.90.99 - - - Other. Residual refined or other shea butter that is not illipe, tung or jojoba oil is declared as 1515.90.99 Other. file.go.gov.sg Duty and tax note The List of Dutiable Goods names intoxicating liquors, tobacco products, motor vehicles, and petroleum products and biodiesel blends. customs.gov.sg Preference scheme and proof of origin Shea butter is not in those categories. All goods imported into Singapore are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the prevailing rate. The current GST rate in Singapore is 9%. customs.gov.sg The List of Dutiable Goods names intoxicating liquors, tobacco products, motor vehicles, and petroleum products and biodiesel blends. Shea butter is not in those categories. All goods imported into Singapore are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the prevailing rate. The current GST rate in Singapore is 9%.
Why the first six digits are the same everywhere is explained in the exporting and importing shea butter guide.
- 2
Step 2 — Regulatory registration
In Singapore, cosmetic-grade shea butter falls under HSA; food-grade under the food authority.
The Regulations are in line with the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive (ACD), which adopts similar regulatory principles and requirements as the European Union (EU) regulations on cosmetic products. A cosmetic product notification usually needs to be submitted before you can sell a cosmetic product in Singapore.
Manufacturers and importers of cosmetic products need to notify their products before supplying them in Singapore. You will then need to submit your cosmetic product notification through PRISM. Each notification is valid for one year. Note: Our acknowledgement of product notification is not an endorsement of the product as we do not evaluate or approve the cosmetic product for supply in Singapore.
GST is imposed on most goods imported into Singapore, regardless whether the importer is GST-registered. Import GST is collected by Singapore Customs.
The following details should appear on the outer packaging or on the immediate packaging of cosmetic products if there is no outer packaging. The details must be listed in English. Information in other languages, if any, may be used in addition to English and should be the same as the English version.
Buyers in Singapore most often ask for HSA notification (finished cosmetics), HACCP and Halal (buyer-led); status is on our certifications page. See HSA notification (finished cosmetics), HACCP, Halal (buyer-led) and our certifications page.
- 3
Step 3 — Required documents
The documents below are those HSA lists for a shea butter consignment; EMI Agro issues the ones marked as ours.
Documents for importing shea butter into Singapore (sources and dates in References) Document Issued by When Commercial invoice EMI Agro At booking Packing list EMI Agro At stuffing Bill of lading Carrier On vessel departure Certificate of Analysis (per batch) EMI Agro With shipping documents Certificate of origin Nigerian agency Before shipment TradeNet import permit Buyer / importer Before release from the port HSA cosmetic product notification Buyer / importer Before supplying a finished cosmetic in Singapore Nigerian export-side documents are explained in how to import shea butter from Nigeria; the COA format is on the certificate of analysis page.
- 4
Step 4 — Shipping & Incoterms
EMI Agro loads at Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos) for Singapore discharge at the ports below.
Typical sea transit from Lagos to Singapore (port-to-port days; confirm on the booking) Port UN/LOCODE Transit (days) Schedules read on Singapore SGSIN 28–42 September 2026 - EXW: buyer arranges collection, freight and insurance from the factory.
- FOB: EMI Agro delivers on board at the named Lagos port; buyer arranges ocean freight.
- CIF: EMI Agro arranges freight and insurance to the named discharge port.
Container configuration is calculated separately — use the shea export container calculator and the container notes on the export overview.
- 5
Step 5 — Customs clearance & inspection
Clearance in Singapore is handled through HSA.
Use the HS/CA Product Code Checker to find the duty rates applicable to dutiable goods and to see whether a competent authority controls the line. A TradeNet permit is required before goods are released. GST on sea imports is collected by Singapore Customs at the prevailing rate.
Working with EMI Agro
- MOQ
- Standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Trial lots start at 5 tonnes. Smaller volumes can still be requested — we review every enquiry against current production.
- Lead time
- Lead time is Ibadan production time plus ocean time to the named port. EMI Agro produces 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Exact weeks depend on the quantity on the purchase order.
- Incoterms
- EXW, FOB, CIF
- Samples
- Trial lots start at 5 tonnes of the named grade. Send the request even if you need less — we review whether we can supply.
- Load ports
- Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos)
For Singapore buyers our supplier page covers MOQ, price basis, packaging and lead time in detail. Shea butter supplier in Singapore.
For commodity background see the complete guide to shea butter.
Related pages
How to import shea butter into Malaysia
How to import shea butter into Indonesia
How to import shea butter into Thailand
How to import shea butter from Nigeria
Nigerian export-side procedure before the container sails.
Shea export container calculator
How many drums fit a container.
Exporting shea butter from Nigeria
HS heading, load ports and the country-guide hub.
Certificate of Analysis
How a batch COA is reported.
Frequently asked questions
References & standards
- customs.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- hsa.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- sfa.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- file.go.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- customs.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- iras.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- hsa.gov.sg (accessed 13 September 2026)
- maersk.com (accessed 13 September 2026)
Last reviewed September 2026 by EMI Agro Industries QC team.
Manufacturer-direct from Ibadan, Nigeria
Get an export quote for Singapore
Tell us grade, volume and your port of discharge in Singapore; we reply with pricing, the document set and a current COA.
You have just read How to Import Shea Butter into Singapore. The next step is a real lot from the factory that produces it — EMI Agro, with factory-direct pricing and a batch Certificate of Analysis.
Trusted manufacturer
EMI Agro Industries Limited (RC 9364495) presses the butter in Ibadan — we are not a trading company.
Competitive factory-direct prices
Quoted EXW, FOB or CIF — the buyer chooses. You pay the factory, not a chain of middlemen.
Export-ready supply
We ship to European Union, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Southeast Asia, China, India, Middle East, Latin America. Load ports: Apapa (Lagos) or Tin Can Island (Lagos).
Documented lots
40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter, a Certificate of Analysis on every batch, NAFDAC registered and SON approved.