With the Chinese New Year long weekend approaching, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has advised travellers to expect heavy traffic at the Singapore-Malaysia land border.
Those who are clearing immigration by car may have to wait for up to three hours, ICA said in a travel advisory on Friday (Feb 2).
ICA said traffic has already been building up, with the authority seeing a trend of more travellers using the land checkpoints over the long weekends in January.
“In the recent weekend from Jan 26 to 28, there was continuous heavy traffic at the land checkpoints, with more than 1.37 million crossings (close to 458,000 crossings daily),” said the immigration authority.
“This was an increase of close to 14 per cent in daily average crossings when compared to the New Year long weekend period (402,000 crossings daily).”
This year’s Chinese New Year falls on Jan 10, a Saturday.
ICA said it expects “very heavy traffic” at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints in the lead-up to and during the holiday period from Feb 8 to Feb 13.ICA warned travellers not to bring in prohibited items such as firecrackers, “Pop-Pop” weapons, electronic cigarettes and vaporisers.
They should also avoid bringing in controlled items like bak kwa and potted plants.
“Those bringing in dutiable or controlled items such as tobacco products items must proactively make declarations to our officers prior to being checked,” said ICA.
More details on the list of prohibited, controlled and dutiable items can be found on ICA’s website.
Travellers Checklist
Drivers of Singapore-registered cars are reminded to observe the three-quarter tank rule, or risk being turned back at the checkpoints.
Vehicles must also have a valid Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) as applications are no longer accepted at checkpoints to facilitate traffic flow.
“Drivers of foreign vehicles who are unable to present valid Autopass cards together with LTA’s VEP approval email and valid insurance will be turned back from Singapore,” said ICA.
Passports must have a remaining validity of at least six months. Singapore permanent residents who have renewed their passports will have to transfer their Re-Entry Permit to the new passport.
Long-term pass holders will need to notify ICA or the Ministry of Manpower of any change in their passport particulars before their entry into Singapore.
Before embarking on the journey, ICA’s advice is to first check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints.
This can be done through the Land Transport Authority’s One Motoring website or via the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System installed along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) and the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).
ICA also warned drivers against queue cutting as it can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists.
“Errant motorists caught queue cutting will be turned away and made to re-queue,” it added.
CNA
