Statute Details
- Title: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Fees for Replacement or Certified Copy of Licence) Notification 2022
- Act Code: MPASA1996-S1005-2022
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 (MPA Act 1996)
- Enacting Power: Section 27(1) of the MPA Act 1996 (with Minister for Transport’s approval)
- Citation: S 1005/2022
- Commencement: 1 January 2023
- Status / Current Version: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Provisions:
- Section 3: Fees for replacement or certified copy of harbour craft licences under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft) Regulations (Rg 3)
- Section 4: Fee for replacement of manning licence under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination) Regulations (Rg 4)
- Section 5: Fees for replacement of licences under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Pleasure Craft) Regulations (Rg 6)
- Section 6: Deleted (by S 862/2023 with effect from 1 January 2024)
- GST Treatment: Fees are stated as “inclusive of GST”; “GST” is defined by reference to the Goods and Services Tax Act 1993
- Amendment Noted: Amended by S 862/2023 with effect from 1 January 2024
What Is This Legislation About?
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Fees for Replacement or Certified Copy of Licence) Notification 2022 is a fee notification made under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996. In practical terms, it sets out the specific amounts payable when a person needs to obtain (i) a replacement licence or (ii) a certified copy of a licence issued under various MPA subsidiary regulations relating to harbour craft and pleasure craft.
Licences in the maritime context are often required to be carried, produced on demand, or relied upon for lawful operation. When a licence is lost, damaged, or otherwise unavailable, the licence holder may need a replacement or a certified copy to continue operating or to satisfy regulatory or administrative requirements. This Notification provides the tariff for those replacement/certification services.
The Notification also addresses GST explicitly. It defines “GST” by reference to the Goods and Services Tax Act 1993 and states that the fees are inclusive of GST. This is important for compliance, invoicing, and disputes about whether additional tax should be charged on top of the stated fee.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement) identifies the instrument and provides that it comes into operation on 1 January 2023. For practitioners, this matters when determining which fee schedule applies to an application made before or after the commencement date, particularly in cases involving payment disputes or retrospective administrative actions.
Section 2 (Definition of “GST”) defines “GST” as goods and services tax chargeable under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1993, calculated based on the rate in force at the time the goods or services are supplied. Even though the Notification’s fee amounts are stated as inclusive of GST, the definition clarifies how GST is understood for the purposes of the Notification. This can be relevant where there is a change in GST rate or where the supply timing is contested.
Section 3 (Harbour craft licences: replacement or certified copy) sets the fees under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft) Regulations (Rg 3). It provides two distinct fee categories:
- Replacement of a licence under regulation 7(1)(c) of the Harbour Craft Regulations: $5.45 (inclusive of GST).
- Certified copy of a licence under regulation 7(1)(e) of the Harbour Craft Regulations: $5.45 (inclusive of GST).
From a legal and administrative perspective, the Notification distinguishes between a “replacement” and a “certified copy”. A replacement typically results in issuance of a new licence document, whereas a certified copy is a verified reproduction of the existing licence. The equal fee suggests that, at least under the current schedule, the administrative cost or regulatory processing for both outcomes is treated similarly.
Section 4 (Harbour craft manning licence: replacement) sets the fee for the grant of a replacement licence under regulation 18(3) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination) Regulations (Rg 4). The fee is $10.90 (inclusive of GST).
This higher amount compared to harbour craft licence replacement ($5.45) indicates that manning licence replacement is treated as a more involved or higher-value processing service. Practitioners should ensure that the correct fee category is applied based on the licence type and the specific regulatory trigger (here, regulation 18(3)).
Section 5 (Pleasure craft licences: replacement) sets fees under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Pleasure Craft) Regulations (Rg 6). It provides:
- Replacement of a licence under regulation 4(1)(c) of the Pleasure Craft Regulations: $5.45 (inclusive of GST).
- Replacement of a driving licence under regulation 42 of the Pleasure Craft Regulations: $10.90 (inclusive of GST).
Again, the Notification differentiates between a “licence” and a “driving licence”. In practice, this may affect which document a person is seeking to replace (for example, a craft-related licence versus a competence/driver-related document). The fee schedule therefore operates as a compliance guide for both applicants and the administering authority.
Section 6 (Deleted) notes that a provision was deleted by S 862/2023 with effect from 1 January 2024. While the extract does not reproduce the deleted text, the deletion signals that either (i) the fee category was removed, (ii) it was consolidated elsewhere, or (iii) the relevant regulatory references changed. For practitioners, the key takeaway is to rely on the current version as at the relevant date and to check whether any fee categories have been removed or reallocated.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Notification is structured as a short, tariff-focused instrument with a conventional legislative layout:
- Section 1: Citation and commencement (when the Notification takes effect)
- Section 2: Definitions (notably “GST”)
- Sections 3–5: The substantive fee schedule, organised by licence regime:
- Section 3: Harbour craft licences (replacement and certified copy)
- Section 4: Harbour craft manning licence replacement
- Section 5: Pleasure craft licences and driving licences replacement
- Section 6: A provision that has been deleted (reflecting amendment history)
There are no “Parts” in the extract, and the Notification is essentially a consolidated fee schedule that cross-references the relevant regulations and their specific triggers for replacement/certification.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Notification applies to persons who apply for replacement or certified copies of licences issued under the MPA’s subsidiary regulations referenced in the Notification—specifically, the Harbour Craft Regulations, the Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination Regulations, and the Pleasure Craft Regulations.
In practical terms, the fee obligations fall on licence holders (or prospective applicants seeking replacement documents) who are entitled under the relevant regulations to request replacement or certification. The Notification does not directly regulate vessel operation; rather, it governs the administrative cost of obtaining replacement documentation required for lawful maritime activities.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Notification is short, it is operationally significant. Maritime licensing regimes depend on documentary evidence. When licences are lost, damaged, or need verification for administrative or enforcement purposes, the ability to obtain replacement or certified copies quickly is essential. By specifying exact fees, the Notification reduces uncertainty and supports consistent processing by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
For practitioners advising clients—whether licence holders, employers of seafarers, or operators of pleasure craft—the fee schedule is a compliance detail that can affect timelines and costs. Incorrect fee payment can lead to delays in processing, requests for further payment, or administrative friction. The Notification’s cross-references to specific regulations (e.g., regulation 7(1)(c) and 7(1)(e) for harbour craft licences) provide a legal basis for determining which fee applies to the client’s particular request.
The GST-inclusive wording is also important. In tax-related disputes, parties sometimes argue whether a stated fee is “inclusive” or “exclusive” of GST. Here, the Notification expressly states that the fees are inclusive of GST, and it defines GST by reference to the Goods and Services Tax Act 1993. This clarity supports straightforward invoicing and reduces the scope for billing disputes.
Finally, the amendment history (S 862/2023 effective 1 January 2024) and the deletion of Section 6 underscore the need for date-sensitive advice. If an application is made around the amendment effective date, practitioners should confirm the applicable version and ensure that the fee schedule in force at the time of supply is applied.
Related Legislation
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 (authorising Act; section 27(1))
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft) Regulations (Rg 3), including regulation 7(1)(c) and 7(1)(e)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Harbour Craft Manning Licence Examination) Regulations (Rg 4), including regulation 18(3)
- Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Pleasure Craft) Regulations (Rg 6), including regulation 4(1)(c) and regulation 42
- Goods and Services Tax Act 1993 (GST definition reference)
- Services Tax Act 1993 (listed in metadata; relevant for historical/tax context)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (Fees for Replacement or Certified Copy of Licence) Notification 2022 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.