Selling Tobacco on eBay: Please be aware that the above policies apply only to items for sale on the Singapore eBay site (eBay.com.sg). eBay may permit sales of tobacco on international sites to the extent appropriate under local laws. Please consult the rules of each site to determine what is allowed on that site.

Examples of tobacco products which are also regulated in Singapore:

• “Smokeless tobacco” including chewing and sucking tobacco

• Imitation tobacco products such as confectionery or other food product or any toy or other article that is designed to resemble a tobacco product,or which is sold in a package designed to resemble the packaging commonly associated with tobacco products.

For more information, kindly refer to the Centre for Drug Administration’s Web site as well as the Smoking (Control of Advertisements and Sale of Tobacco) Act (Cap 309) and its subsidiary Regulations.

Selling Tobacco Collectables on eBay: There may be instances where the particular collectable tobacco package is unopened and still contains tobacco. Prior to sale or import of such items, members of eBay are strongly advised to contact the Tobacco Regulation Unit for written authorisation. In addition, the following conditions should be met:

• The value of the item is in the collectable packaging, not in the tobacco itself.

• The listing description should state that the package has not been opened, but that the tobacco within is not for consumption.

• The collectable tobacco packaging must not be available at any retail outlet, and packaging must have a value that substantially exceeds the current retail price of that tobacco product in the package.

• Sellers must take steps to ensure that the buyer of these collectables is at least 18 years of age. Buyers and sellers are responsible for ensuring that any transaction involving tobacco complies with all applicable laws and postage regulations in carrying out the transaction.

• eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of tobacco is highly regulated, or may cause harm to eBay or its members, sellers are restricted in their listing of it on eBay.

• Under Singapore law, the following activities in relation to tobacco products are prohibited:

  • Importing, selling or offering for sale tobacco products without a licence from the Tobacco Regulation Unit (TRU) of the Health Sciences Authority. A valid licence issued by the TRU must be obtained. Please refer to the applicable Guidelines available at the Centre for Drug Administration’s Web site.

  • Selling or offering for sale tobacco products as free gifts, or as prizes in any lottery, raffle or draw. The prohibition extends to the import and sale of imitation tobacco products and chewing tobacco as well.

  • Selling (directly or indirectly), buying for or giving to any person below 18 years of age, any tobacco product.

• Other points

  • Tobacco related products must comply with mandatory health warning labelling requirements, but such requirements do not apply to tobacco products intended for export outside Singapore or those which are not intended for sale or consumption in Singapore.

  • Tar and nicotine content is limited to not more than 15mg and 1.3mg per cigarette.

  • Sellers listing on eBay should also note that advertisements relating to smoking, including those containing suggestions to smoke or purchase any tobacco product, require a licence from the relevant governmental authority.