SINGAPORE
ITA signatory?
I
II
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Effective tariff rate on ICT goods (applied weighted average)
Effective tariff rate to ICT goods (applied weighted average)
0%
Coverage rate of zero-tariffs on ICT goods (%)
100%
Coverage: ICT goods
Sources
- http://wits.worldbank.org/WITS/
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
SINGAPORE
Since March 1997
Since December 2015
Since December 2015
Pillar Tariffs and trade defence measures applied on ICT goods |
Indicator Participation in the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and 2015 expansion (ITA II)
Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA II)
Singapore is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996 and its 2015 expansion (ITA II).
Coverage ICT goods
Sources
- https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/brief_ita_e.htm#:~:text=ITA%20participants%3A%20Australia%3B%20Bahrain%3B,%3B%20Jordan%3B%20Korea%2C%20Rep.
- https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/ita20years_2017_full_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054410/https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/april/tradoc_154430.pdf
- https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/inftec_e/itscheds_e.htm
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SINGAPORE
N/A
Pillar Public procurement of ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Signatory of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) with coverage of the most relevant services sectors (CPC 752, 754, 84)
Lack of coverage of CPC 754, CPC 752, and CPC 84 in the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Although Singapore is a signatory to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), its coverage schedules do not include "telecommunications-related services" (CPC 754) and do not fully cover "computer-related services" (CPC 84) and "telecommunications services" (CPC 752), which are important service sectors for digital trade.
Coverage Telecommunications services
SINGAPORE
Since December 1967, last amended in December 2025
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Maximum foreign equity share
Companies Act 1967
Singapore does not impose a general maximum foreign equity share in sectors relevant to digital trade, including telecommunications, computer services, e-commerce, or other digital services. Singapore does not have a general investment law establishing nationality-based equity caps. Instead, foreign investors may generally establish and own companies under the ordinary company law framework.
Under Art. 17(1) of the Companies Act 1967, any person may, whether alone or together with another person, form an incorporated company.
Under Art. 17(1) of the Companies Act 1967, any person may, whether alone or together with another person, form an incorporated company.
Coverage Horizontal
SINGAPORE
Since December 1967, last amended in December 2025
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Nationality/residency requirement for directors or managers
Companies Act 1967
Pursuant to Section 145.1 of the Companies Act, every company is required to appoint at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore.
Coverage Horizontal
SINGAPORE
Since December 1999, last amended in October 2022
Since May 2022
Since May 2022
Pillar Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in sectors relevant to digital trade |
Indicator Screening of investment and acquisitions
Telecommunications Act
Code of Practice for Competition in the Provision of Telecommunication and Media Services 2022
Code of Practice for Competition in the Provision of Telecommunication and Media Services 2022
Under Art. 38 of the Telecommunications Act 1999 and Section 10 of the Code of Practice for Competition in the Provision of Telecommunication and Media Services 2022, acquisitions of voting shares or voting power in a designated telecommunications licensee are subject to notification and approval thresholds before the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
A designated telecommunications licensee must notify IMDA where a person holds or controls 5% or more but less than 12% of its voting shares or voting power. Prior written approval from IMDA is required before any person becomes a 12% controller or 30% controller of a designated telecommunications licensee.
A designated telecommunications licensee must notify IMDA where a person holds or controls 5% or more but less than 12% of its voting shares or voting power. Prior written approval from IMDA is required before any person becomes a 12% controller or 30% controller of a designated telecommunications licensee.
Coverage Telecommunications sector
SINGAPORE
Since November 1994, entry into force in February 1995
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Participation in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Patent Cooperation Treaty
Singapore is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Coverage Horizontal
SINGAPORE
Since September 2021, last amended in February 2025
Pillar Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) |
Indicator Copyright law with clear exceptions
Copyright Act 2021
The Copyright Act provides a clear regime of copyright exceptions that follows the fair use model, which enables the lawful use of copyrighted works by others without obtaining permission. Part 5, Division 2 sets out these exceptions, including use for research or study, criticism or review, and reporting current events, across different categories of works and subject matter.
Coverage Horizontal
SRI LANKA
N/A
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Lack of adoption of UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Signatures
Sri Lanka has not enacted national legislation that is comprehensively based on the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures. Nonetheless, the Electronic Transactions Act No. 19 of 2006 implements some regulations related to electronic signatures.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
SRI LANKA
Since March 2021
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Directions Issued to Authorised Dealers on Electronic Fund Transfer Cards - Direction No. 3 of 2021
Pursuant to Section 10.1 of the "Directions Issued to Authorised Dealers on Electronic Fund Transfer Cards", certain transactions are expressly prohibited when using credit or debit cards, including payments associated with virtual currency transactions, payments related to betting, gaming, or gambling activities outside the jurisdiction of Sri Lanka, and payments for the import of goods into Sri Lanka for commercial purposes.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250523072219/https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/sites/default/files/cbslweb_documents/laws/cdg/Foreign_Exchange_Act_Direction_No_3_of_2021_e.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250603200558/https://www.themorning.lk/articles/158747
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250911020130/https://island.lk/regulatory-guidelines-for-credit-debit-card-usage/
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SRI LANKA
Since February 2025
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Payment and Settlement Systems Circular No. 02 of 2025 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka - Maximum Limits on Transaction Value and Fees of Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch
Circular No. 02 of 2025, issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, stipulates that the maximum value for fund transfers conducted via the Common Electronic Fund Transfer Switch (CEFTS) shall not exceed LKR 5 million (approx. USD 16,000) per transaction.
Coverage Horizontal
SRI LANKA
Since May 2013
Since December 2023, entry into force in January 2024
Since December 2023, entry into force in January 2024
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Payment Cards and Mobile Payment Systems Regulations No. 1 of 2013
Payment and Settlement Systems Circular No. 4 of 2023 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka - Individual Stored Value Limits, Day Limits and Transaction Limits Applicable for Customer e-Money Accounts
Payment and Settlement Systems Circular No. 4 of 2023 of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka - Individual Stored Value Limits, Day Limits and Transaction Limits Applicable for Customer e-Money Accounts
Pursuant to Section 5 of the "Payment Cards and Mobile Payment Systems Regulations No. 1 of 2013", an individual or entity may engage in the business of, or operate as, a service provider in relation to a mobile phone-based electronic money (e-money) system, provided such activity is conducted under the authority of a licence issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
In addition, Circular No. 4 of 2023 issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka prescribes transaction and balance limits applicable to mobile e-money accounts. Under this framework, accounts classified as "enhanced"—those subject to full Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance—are permitted to hold and transact up to LKR 150,000 (approx. USD 500) per day. In contrast, "basic" accounts, which are subject to limited KYC procedures, are restricted to a daily limit of LKR 20,000 (approx. USD 70). Additionally, the maximum stored value permissible for each account category concurrently serves as the upper limit for individual transactions across all transaction types.
In addition, Circular No. 4 of 2023 issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka prescribes transaction and balance limits applicable to mobile e-money accounts. Under this framework, accounts classified as "enhanced"—those subject to full Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance—are permitted to hold and transact up to LKR 150,000 (approx. USD 500) per day. In contrast, "basic" accounts, which are subject to limited KYC procedures, are restricted to a daily limit of LKR 20,000 (approx. USD 70). Additionally, the maximum stored value permissible for each account category concurrently serves as the upper limit for individual transactions across all transaction types.
Coverage Operators of mobile phone based e-money systems
SRI LANKA
Since February 2017
Since March 2025
Since March 2025
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Revenue Protection Order No. 02/2017
Sri Lanka Customs National Imports Tariff Guide 2025
Sri Lanka Customs National Imports Tariff Guide 2025
Revenue Protection Order No. 02/2017 stipulates that the de minimis threshold, defined as the minimum value of goods below which customs duties are not levied, applies in certain circumstances. According to the Sri Lanka Customs National Imports Tariff Guide 2025, imports of personal items (including gifts) valued at LKR 20,000 or less (approx. USD 60), and commercial samples valued at LKR 60,000 or less (approx. USD 200), are exempt from customs import duties, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed by the Director General of Customs. These thresholds fall below the USD 200 benchmark recommended by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20260507143546/https://www.customs.gov.lk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Preamble-intergrated.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250602200636/https://documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2017/2/2006-42_E.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250602200658/https://www.customs.gov.lk/personal/online-buyers/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250602200741/https://global-express.org/index.php?id=271&act=101&profile_id=-1&countries%5B%5D=-2&search_terms=&question-filter=&qid_34=1&qid_34_optid=1&qid_35=1&qid_36=1...
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SRI LANKA
Since May 2023
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Framework for consumer protection applicable to online commerce
Direction 91 of the Consumer Affairs Authority - Protection of the consumer that any e-commerce entity or platform operator engages in marketing and selling of any goods
Direction 91 of the Consumer Affairs Authority establishes a comprehensive framework for consumer protection, extending its applicability to online transactions. Additionally, e-consumer rights are implicitly safeguarded under existing information technology and consumer protection laws. However, concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of these regulations in fully addressing the needs of online consumers. Despite Direction 91 partially addressing some legislative gaps, key issues in digital consumer protection remain insufficiently covered by current local laws.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250602182156/https://documents.gov.lk/view/extra-gazettes/2023/5/2332-15_E.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250602182240/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390215852_E-COMMERCE_AND_ONLINE_CONSUMER_PROTECTION_A_COMPARATIVE_STUDY
- https://web.archive.org/web/20250602182815/https://unctad.org/page/cyberlaw-tracker-country-detail?country=lk
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