Elite Group

Licenses and permits for various industries | Procedures

  • catering industry
  • Fresh food/fruit and vegetable import and trade industry
  • Trade/Import/Wholesale of all types of food (excluding fresh produce)
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The following industries all require not only formal company registration in Singapore (ACRA) but also the application for relevant industry licenses.

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1. Food and Beverage Industry (F&B) | Includes restaurants, snack bars, cafes, bubble tea shops, Japanese restaurants, hot pot restaurants, etc.

Main required licenses:

SFA Food Shop Licence

All restaurants, cafes, and snack shops that offer on-site food must apply.

NEA Kitchen Wastewater/Grease Trap System Approval

Necessary kitchen facilities must comply with regulations.

Food Hygiene Certificate

Necessary kitchen facilities must comply with regulations.

Liquor Licence (for selling alcoholic beverages)

Class 1: Alcohol consumed in restaurants

Class 2: Retail

We are normally open until 10:30 pm. Extended hours require an additional permit.

Outdoor seating permit (if applicable, alfresco)

Outdoor Dining Licence

2. Fresh food/fruit and vegetable import and trade industry

Main required licenses:

SFA Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Import Licence

Applications are required for the import of fruits and vegetables.

TradeNet import license (per shipment)

Customs declaration is required before each batch of goods is imported.

Phytosanitary Certificate

Customs declaration is required before each batch of goods is imported.

Food Importer Registration

Registration is required to engage in food-related trade.

Cold chain transportation and storage requirements (if any)

This includes temperature-controlled warehouses and refrigerated vehicles.

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3. Trade/Import/Wholesale of all kinds of food (non-fresh) | Including canned food, snacks, beverages, baby food, processed food, etc.

Main required licenses:

SFA – General Food Import/Export Licence

All food products must meet SFA food safety standards.

Product labeling complies with Singapore regulations.

Examples include nutrition labels, raw material labels, and manufacturer information.

Some high-risk foods require additional documentation:
  • Meat
  • Seafood
  • Eggs
  • Dairy products

4. Bars/Nightclubs/Entertainment Venues (Very Strict)

Main required licenses:

Public Entertainment Licence

Nightclubs, KTVs, and bars all require stage performances/music/dancing.

Liquor Licence (Liquor Sales License)

The sale of spirits, cocktails, beer, etc., requires an application.

Business Hours Extension License

Businesses are permitted to operate until 3 a.m. or later.

Fire Safety Certificate

The premises must pass a fire safety inspection by the SCDF.

Premises Approval (URA Change of Use)

Commercial units originally not intended for "entertainment" purposes need to be repurposed.

Security guard license (if the nightclub has security guards)

For example, a Security Officer Certificate.

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5. General Trading Company (Trading / Import & Export)

General trade (excluding food/tobacco/alcohol/pharmaceuticals) typically does not require special industry approval; only the following is needed:
  • Registered Company (ACRA)
  • Register UEN
  • Customs Account
  • Single import license (TradeNet)
  • GST registration (required for those with an annual income exceeding SGD 1 million)
Additional licenses are required if the trade involves the following categories:

Food → SFA

Chemicals → NEA

Pharmaceutical products → HSA

Alcohol → Customs + Police

Tobacco → Not allowed to be imported (extremely strict control).

6. Beauty/Hair Salon/Nail Salon/Massage/SPA Industry

Required licenses:

NEA Public Health License (e.g., for beauty services)
Massage Establishment Licence (SPA/Massage)
Fire Safety
Beauty products must not contain prohibited ingredients (HSA regulated).
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7. Accommodation and Hotel Business
  • Hotel Licence
  • Fire safety certificate
  • Passenger registration system compliance requirements
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8. Medical and clinic-related industries
  • MOH Clinic License
  • Qualified Healthcare Professional Registration (requires licensed doctors and nurses)
  • Pharmaceuticals require HSA approval.
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9. Education, training, and private school sector
  • ERF Registration – The most basic and mandatory registration for all private schools
  • EduTrust Registration – Quality Assurance Certification for Schools (International/Private), categorized as follows:
    • EduTrust Provisional (1 year)
    • EduTrust (4 years)
    • EduTrust Star (Top Tier, 4 years)
  • Training Partners Gateway Registration – Singapore's official portal system for the education industry, registration is available.
    • Lecturer registration
    • Course approval and certification
    • WSQ System
    • SkillFuture government-subsidized courses
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10. Tourism industry and travel agencies
  • Travel Agent Licence
  • Insurance coverage (customer compensation fund, etc.)