BackLAW
Indian-origin company director fined for under-declaring imported car values in Singapore
An Indian-origin director of Concordway in Singapore was fined over SGD 1 million and sentenced to two months' jail for under-declaring vehicle values imported between October 2018 and February 2024. He pleaded guilty to nine charges under the Customs Act, with additional GST-related charges taken into account during sentencing.
Why It Matters
The case underscores Singapore's enforcement against customs duty and GST evasion in vehicle imports and shows collaboration between Singapore Customs and the Land Transport Authority to clamp down on false declarations.
Timeline
4 Events
Fine payable deadline
May 25, 2026
The director has until May 25, 2026 to pay the SGD 1,068,000 fine; failure to pay would result in 12 months and two weeks' imprisonment in default.
Sentencing and plea
April 24, 2026
Thiyambarawatta Subash Indrajith pleaded guilty to nine charges under the Customs Act. The State Courts sentenced him to an SGD 1,068,000 fine for fraudulently evading duty on imported goods and a two-month jail term for under-declaring the values of 21 vehicles at registration with the LTA. Ten other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing: four charges for fraudulent evasion of GST and six charges for abetment by aiding in the making of untrue declarations to fraudulently evade GST.
End of offences period
February 2024
The offences period ended in February 2024, covering evasion of customs duties on 34 imported vehicles and under-declaration of values for 21 vehicles at registration with the LTA.
Offences period begins
October 2018
The period of offences began in October 2018, with investigations by Singapore Customs linked to under-declaration of vehicle values during imports (including a Porsche) and evasion on 34 imported vehicles.