Home | Singapore Government Singapore Food Agency

Who can apply for GIRO?

Anyone with a bank account can apply for GIRO to make GIRO payments accepted by SFA.

The bank account does not need to be in your name. However, the GIRO application form must be signed by the bank account holder or the authorised person of the bank account.

What can I pay for using GIRO?

You can use GIRO to pay for the transactions in the table below.

Note

Before your GIRO is approved, use alternative payment methods to pay for your transactions with SFA.

Type of Transactions	Payment Modes
Inspection & Laboratory e-Services	GIRO AXS
Licence applications and renewals via the GoBusiness Singapore	GIRO Online Payment through the GoBusiness AXS
Rent and conservancy fees (for PPWC, JFP and MAC tenants) ^ PPWC – Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre JFP – Jurong Fishery Port MAC – Marine Aquaculture Centre	GIRO PayNow QR Internet Banking Fund Transfer AXS
TradeNet permits	GIRO PayNow QR AXS

View all transactions and their payment methods

The table below shows the transactions and payment modes available.

Type of transactions	Payment modes
Composition fees	AXS
Government land rental	PayNow QR Internet Banking Fund Transfer
Inspection & Laboratory e-Services	GIRO AXS
Licence applications applied/renewed via GoBusiness Singapore	GIRO Online Payment through GoBusiness AXS
Rent and Conservancy fees (for PPWC, JFP and MAC tenants)	GIRO PayNow QR Internet Banking Fund Transfer AXS
Tender and Security Deposit	PayNow QR Internet Banking Fund Transfer
TradeNet Permits	GIRO PayNow QR AXS

When can I apply for GIRO?

You can apply for GIRO when SFA requires you to have GIRO before applying for a licence/permit, and when you prefer to pay through GIRO for the convenience it offers.

For example, SFA requires anyone who wants to import, export, or transship goods regulated by SFA to set up GIRO before applying for licences/permits.

You can also use GIRO for recurring bills. The majority of SFA's customers choose GIRO to pay for licence renewals and TradeNet fees.

How do I apply for GIRO arrangement?

Option 1: Internet Banking

5 working days

You can use internet banking to apply for GIRO if you have a DBS/POSB bank account (not applicable for corporate bank accounts).

For steps on how to apply, refer to Q1 in Payment FAQs and Guides.

Please indicate your SFA Customer Reference Number (UEN/NRIC/FIN) in the ‘Bill Reference’ field when applying for a GIRO arrangement.

SFA will take 5 working days to process your application. You will receive an email notification when your application is approved.

Option 2: Submit a hard copy GIRO application

4 to 6 weeks

You can complete the GIRO application form and submit it by post to SFA.

The respective banks may take 4-6 weeks to set up your GIRO arrangement.

For steps on how to complete the form, refer to Q2 in Payment FAQs and Guides.

Before your GIRO application is approved, please use alternative payment modes to make payments on time.

Ensure you have done all the following:

filled in a printed copy of the GIRO form – photocopied forms are not accepted
entered the correct ‘Name of Customer’ which should match the name on the SFA licence
signed the GIRO form

When are funds deducted from my bank account?

The table below shows how GIRO deduction works. If the deduction is unsuccessful, a second attempt will be made 7 working days later.

TradeNet Permit fees	Fees will be deducted 2 working days after the permit is approved in TradeNet. For example, a TradeNet permit approved on Monday will be deducted via GIRO on Wednesday.
Licence fees	Fees will be deducted within 21 days before the licence expiry date.
Other fees	Fees will be deducted on the invoice due date, or the next working day.

When will I receive notifications/e-statements?

You will receive a GIRO deduction e-advice 2-3 working days after deduction date. The e-advice will be sent to the primary email address maintained in our records.

To sign up for e-advice or update your email address, do one of the following:

submit the GIRO deduction e-advice application form
email to SFA_Finance_GIRO_Stmt@sfa.gov.sg

SFA ceased the issuance of monthly GIRO e-statements from June 2023.

How do I update my GIRO arrangement?

To change the bank account, submit a new application following the steps above.

How do I cancel or terminate my GIRO arrangement?

To cancel or terminate your GIRO arrangement, do all the following:

settle any outstanding payments to SFA
contact your bank to cancel the GIRO arrangement

If you are using your POSB/DBS personal bank as the debiting account, you can cancel the GIRO arrangement using internet banking.

For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form if you encounter an issue while making payment. When submitting the form, select ‘Feedback Category > Other enquiries or feedback’.