Singapore: Ministry of Trade and Industry and Customs issued joint-advisory on export controls on semiconductor and artificial intelligence technologies

On 4 April 2025, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), in coordination with Singapore Customs, issued a joint advisory on export controls related to semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The advisory, issued under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act and the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations, aligns with multilateral export control arrangements and United Nations Security Council sanctions. The measure applies to all companies operating in Singapore and is intended to ensure compliance with applicable legal obligations. It aims to mitigate the risk of Singapore being used to circumvent export controls imposed by other jurisdictions. Companies are expected to implement appropriate internal compliance measures, including Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and end-user due diligence, to minimise the risk of unintended violations. The advisory reflects Singapore’s approach to governing the trade in emerging technologies, balancing security considerations with its role in the global economy.