Customs Act 1960 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 13 · Search, Seizure and Arrest
104. Power to search vessels and aircraft
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proper officer of customs
“proper officer of customs” means any officer of customs acting in the fulfilment of his or her duties under this Act, whether such duties are assigned to him or her specially or generally or expressly or by implication;
go on board any vessel or aircraft in the Port of Singapore or in any customs airport or place or within the territorial waters of Singapore and remain on board as long as the vessel or aircraft remains in Singapore;
require the master of the vessel or the captain of the aircraft to give such information relating to the vessel or aircraft, cargo, stores, crew, passengers or voyage as the officer may consider necessary;
rummage and search all parts of the vessel or aircraft for uncustomed goods;
examine all goods on board and all goods then being loaded or unloaded;
demand all documents which ought to be on board the vessel or aircraft;
require all or any such documents to be brought to the officer for inspection; and
if necessary, retain any such documents brought to the officer for inspection.
The master of any vessel and the captain of any aircraft refusing to allow the proper officer of customs to board or search the vessel or aircraft, or refusing to give such information or to produce such documents on demand shall be guilty of an offence.
master
“master” means any person (except a pilot or harbour master) having for the time being control or charge of a vessel;
If any place, box or chest on board the vessel or aircraft is locked and the key withheld, the proper officer of customs may open any such place, box or chest.
aircraft
“aircraft” includes any kind of craft which may be used for the conveyance of passengers or goods by air;
If any goods of a class dutiable on import are found concealed on board any vessel or aircraft, they are deemed to be uncustomed goods.
goods
“goods” includes animals, birds, fish, plants and all kinds of movable property;