Buying Moissanite and Lab Grown Diamond Jewellery in Singapore

Singapore is one of the simpler places in the world to import jewellery into, for one specific structural reason: the country runs a very narrow dutiable-goods list. Understanding that removes most of the anxiety about ordering from overseas.

1. GST yes, duty no

Singapore Customs applies duty to only a small number of categories — broadly intoxicating liquors, tobacco products, motor vehicles and petroleum products. Jewellery is not among them, so an imported ring is not subject to customs duty.

GST, however, applies to imported goods regardless of value. Since 2023 the regime extends to low-value goods bought from overseas vendors, which may be collected at checkout by registered sellers rather than on arrival.

For a higher-value item such as an engagement ring, expect GST to be assessed on import, typically collected by the courier along with a handling fee before delivery. Confirm current rates and arrangements with Singapore Customs and IRAS rather than relying on any retailer’s summary, including this one.

2. Hallmarking is voluntary

The Singapore Assay Office provides testing and hallmarking services, but there is no legal requirement for jewellery to be hallmarked before sale.

Overseas fineness stamps — 585, 750, 925 — are normal and legitimate. What is not permitted is describing a piece inaccurately, which falls under fair trading law rather than any hallmarking statute.

If you want independent confirmation of what you have bought, you can submit a piece to the Assay Office after import, or obtain a valuation from a qualified valuer. For insurance purposes the valuation is usually what an insurer wants.

3. Returns: no cooling-off period

This is where Singapore is less generous than the EU or the UK. There is no general statutory cooling-off right for online purchases — cooling-off periods exist only for certain specific contract types such as direct sales and timeshares, not for ordinary e-commerce.

Situation	Where you stand
You changed your mind	Seller’s policy only — no statutory right
Custom ring, changed your mind	Almost always excluded
Defective on arrival	CPFTA lemon law provisions apply
Metal or stone not as described	Unfair practice under CPFTA
Seller has no Singapore presence	Rights exist; enforcement is harder in practice

So read the seller’s written policy carefully before ordering. For a custom piece it is doing nearly all the work, and the practical protection comes from choosing a seller who resolves problems without being pushed rather than from the statute.

Delivery timing to Singapore

Ask for production and transit separately. For our work: roughly seven to eight days on the bench, then 10–12 days standard transit or 6–8 expedited.

Singapore is one of the faster destinations for the final leg — clearance is efficient and domestic delivery is quick — so real door-to-door times are often at the better end of those ranges. Still allow a week of slack against a fixed date.

One local wearing note

Worth saying because it comes up: Singapore’s year-round humidity and heat have two practical effects on rings.

Finger size runs larger. Fingers swell in sustained heat and humidity, so a ring sized in an air-conditioned office in the morning may not be the same in the afternoon outdoors. Size at the end of the day, not the beginning, and err toward the larger reading.

Sterling silver tarnishes faster. Humidity accelerates the reaction between silver and sulphur compounds in the air. Silver is a legitimate choice here, but it will need more frequent cleaning than in a dry climate, and a rhodium finish helps considerably. For a piece worn daily in this climate, 14K gold is the lower-maintenance answer.

Checklist for a Singapore buyer

1. Ask whether GST is collected at checkout or on delivery, and what the handling fee is.
2. Remember there is no duty on jewellery — if a seller quotes you one, question it.
3. Read the returns policy properly; there is no statutory cooling-off to fall back on.
4. Get metal, karat and centre stone millimetres in writing — also your evidence under CPFTA if needed.
5. Size at the end of the day, and consider gold over silver for daily wear in this climate.
6. Get production and transit quoted separately.

General information about importing into Singapore, not legal advice. Rates and rules change — check Singapore Customs, IRAS and CASE before relying on any of it.

Frequently asked questions