Importation of Denatured Ethyl Alcohol & Methanol

Import of denatured ethyl alcohol (including methylated spirits) and methanol are subjected to the sampling requirement by Customs. The procedures for the sampling, storage and extraction of samples are as follows:


Application for Sampling, Storage and Extraction of Samples

Prior to importation, the importer must submit the Application for Sampling of Denatured Ethyl Alcohol and Methanol Form ( DOC 450kb ), together with the following supporting documents, to the Classification Unit via fax no. 6337 6361:

• Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued by the supplier or an independent authority
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Invoice

Singapore Customs will determine and indicate whether sampling is required in the application form. The approved application form will be faxed to the importer.


Number of Samples Required

For each consignment which sampling is required, 2 samples (of up to 500 ml each) are required.


Procedures for Extraction of Samples

For sampling purposes, the importer or his agent is to e-file their application for Customs Supervision to Company Compliance Branch.

Upon successful application for Customs Supervision, the importer or his agent is to fetch the Customs officer at the stipulated time at Basement 4 of the car park at Revenue House for supervision of the extraction of samples.

The cargo may be discharged from the ISO tank or unstuffed from the containers or conventional lorry for storage in the storage tank or importer's warehouse under importer's lock and Customs seal. The importer or his agent can send the extracted samples to any of the approved laboratories listed below:

1. Health Sciences Authority (limited to tests for volume and alcoholic strength only)
   Centre for Analytical Science
   11 Outram Road
   Singapore 169078
   Tel No: 6213 0713
   
   
2. Productivity & Standards Board Corporation Pte Ltd
   Testing Group, Chemical and Materials
   1 Science Park Drive
   Singapore 118221
   Tel No: 6885 1335
   
   
3. ALS Technichem (S) Pte Ltd
   14 Little Road, #07-01, #08-01
   Tropical Industrial Building
   Singapore 536987
   Tel No: 6743 4311
   
   
4. Chemical Laboratory (S) Pte Ltd
   520 Balestier Road, #06-01
   Leong On Building
   Singapore 329853
   Tel No: 6253 6122
   

If the analysis report deems the product as denatured ethyl alcohol or methanol, Company Compliance Branch will endorse the release date on the Application Form and return it to the importer.

Upon receipt of the endorsement, importers can proceed to cut the seal and release their product accordingly. The cut seal must be returned to Company Compliance Branch within 3 working days from the date of release as endorsed by Company Compliance Branch.


Accepted Denaturants for Denatured Ethyl Alcohol

The accepted denaturants and their required concentration, for denatured ethyl alcohol are as follows:

• 5% (v/v) methyl alcohol
• 5% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol
• 5% (v/v) chloroform
• 0.125% (v/v) tert-butyl alcohol and 0.0005% (w/v) denatonium benzoate (Bitrex)
• 5% (v/v) toluene
• 1% (v/v) diethyl phthalate
• 4.25% (v/v) ethyl acetate having ester content of 100% by weight
• 50ppm (w/v) aqueous nicotine and 0.7ppm (w/v) methylene blue
• 4% (v/v) methyl alcohol and 0.0009% (w/v) denatonium benzoate (Bitrex)
• 4% (v/v) methyl n-butyl ketone/methyl isobutyl ketone and 1% kerosene
• 2% (v/v) methyl ethyl ketone/acetone and 3 % (v/v) methyl isobutyl ketone

source: http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/imp/Importation+of+Denatured+Ethyl+Alcohol+and+Methanol.htm