Singapore legislation
Clause 17
Clause 17
Examination of packages
(1)
Any package, box, chest or other article in regard to which a reasonable suspicion exists that it is being, or is about to be, or has recently been, imported, exported, carried coastwise, shipped as ships’ stores, carried as aircraft stores or transhipped in contravention of the provisions of any regulations made under section 3, and which is in Singapore —
may be examined and searched by any authorised officer and may be detained until any person in charge thereof has opened it for examination and search;
may be forcibly opened by, or by order of, a senior authorised officer to facilitate the examination and search except that any person in charge of the package, box, chest or other article shall be afforded every reasonable facility for being present at the opening, examination and search; or
may be marked, locked, sealed or otherwise secured by any authorised officer pending examination and search.
(2)
Any person who removes, opens, breaks or tampers with any lock, seal or other means of securing any package, box, chest or other article, being a person not lawfully employed in accordance with subsection (1), shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $6,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.