Importers' Licensing Scheme for Essential Construction Materials

Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA) administers an Importers' Licensing Scheme for essential construction materials. The current scheme page, last updated 5 June 2026, requires firms or persons importing sand and granite for commercial purposes to hold a valid BCA Importers' Licence and to ensure that imported construction aggregates meet acceptable-quality requirements (BCA Import of Essential Construction Materials, accessed 2 September 2026).

Who needs a licence and what is exempt

Anyone importing sand or granite must apply for a valid BCA Importers' Licence unless an exemption applies. BCA identifies two stated exemptions: imports of essential construction materials with a total gross weight of 50 kg or less, and consignments used solely for coastal or land-reclamation works along Singapore's coast or on a ship or vessel without landing in Singapore. Importers should seek BCA's licence-exemption decision rather than assume that a shipment qualifies from its intended use alone (BCA Import of Essential Construction Materials, accessed 2 September 2026).

New-source testing and storage controls

For a new source, BCA describes a two-stage process. At pre-import Test Stage 1 (S1), the importer submits source information such as quarry details, export permits and test reports so BCA can assess whether the source can meet its testing requirements. At Test Stage 2 (S2), BCA collects samples from the first consignment to confirm consistency with the S1 declaration; an importer may need a Storage Permit where the consignment is isolated. The S1/S2 process applies to a new source, while an importer can be added as a joint importer under an existing source. BCA says complete and accurate submissions are processed within 14 working days after receipt (BCA Import of Essential Construction Materials, accessed 2 September 2026).

Tests, permits and documentation

Samples submitted to BCA Authorised Analysts must be at least 50 kg. BCA lists four checks: petrographic examination for potentially alkali–aggregate-reactive minerals; mortar-bar expansion for expansive reactions, with a limit of not more than 0.2%; chloride content, with a limit of not more than 0.01% chloride; and sulphate content, with a limit of not more than 0.8% sulphate. Every import-permit application for sand and granite requires BCA approval. Once approved, the Singapore Customs Cargo Clearance Permit issued through TradeNet is deemed the BCA Import Permit, and importers must provide the required documents for each consignment (BCA Import of Essential Construction Materials, accessed 2 September 2026).

How to verify an importer

BCA publishes a directory of licensed importers containing company and contact details, licence status and validity, and approved materials for import. The directory is therefore the appropriate place to check a particular importer's current status; the existence of the scheme page or a prior licence does not establish that a licence remains valid. Testing must be conducted by a BCA Authorised Analyst and the relevant source, consignment, permit and documentation requirements must be checked for the shipment in question (BCA Import of Essential Construction Materials, accessed 2 September 2026).