Written Reply to Parliamentary Questions on Measures with Customs Authority to Prevent Import of Non-Compliant Active Mobility Devices and Batteries

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the ownership of non-compliant active mobility devices and its batteries, whether the Ministry will consider working closely with Singapore Customs to prevent or reduce

i.     the import of such devices by individuals, retailers and wholesalers in Singapore and 

Ii.     the orders of such devices from foreign sellers through direct internet purchases by end buyers in Singapore.

Reply by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat:

1.     LTA takes a strong stance against the import, sale, and use of non-compliant active mobility devices. Since June 2021, businesses and individuals must obtain approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to import Power-Assisted Bicycles (PABs) and motorised Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) into Singapore. These devices must meet the prescribed technical and safety requirements for use on our public paths and roads. 

2.     LTA works closely with the Singapore Customs and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to identify and enforce against offenders. As at end-2023, 51 cases have been investigated for offences under the Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act 2020 and 48 non-compliant devices were forfeited. These included devices purchased online. For first-time offenders, the maximum penalty for importing a device without approval is a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months or both. 

3.     LTA also conducts operations against retailers and enforcement on public paths and roads to combat the sale and use of non-compliant devices. From January 2020 to December 2023, LTA detected about 5,100 offences involving non-compliant devices on paths and roads. In the same period, LTA detected about 100 violations from operations against retailers. For first-time offenders, the maximum penalty for using a non-compliant device on a public path is a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months or both, and the maximum penalty for retailer companies displaying a non-compliant device for sale is a fine of up to $20,000.