A recent seizure of more than S$30,000 (US$23,000) worth of Pokemon cards from a Singaporean at Changi Airport has led Malaysian authorities to caution that returning citizens would face the same issue.
Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said in a social media post titled “Gotta catch them all!” – in a nod to the Pokemon catchphrase – that its officers at Changi Airport had detected a large quantity of assorted Pokemon trading cards, believed to be for collection and resale, while screening baggage on October 10.
A 25-year-old Singaporean man was directed to the baggage screening area in Terminal 1 for screening but told officers he had nothing to declare in his luggage.
“A thorough check uncovered assorted Pokemon trading cards worth more than S$30,000 in total value,” the post said.
All items brought into Singapore are subject to a goods and services tax of 9 per cent, according to a report by government-funded The Straits Times newspaper. However, Singaporeans and permanent residents can receive import tax relief of up to S$500 based on the duration of their trip abroad.
