Woman who publicised tips on how she evaded GST for luxury purchases fined $18k
SINGAPORE — After evading paying goods and services tax at Changi Airport for luxury items she bought in Europe, a woman went on social media to teach others how to do the same.
On March 27, Cloey Tan Wan Qi, 27, was fined $18,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under the Customs Act.
In sentencing, District Judge Eddy Tham said Tan not only evaded the law, but also had the audacity to publicise what she did and teach others how to circumvent the law.
The court heard that in May 2024, Tan went to the Netherlands and Belgium with her family and boyfriend and purchased multiple luxury items there for her personal use.
These included five bags from luxury brands Christian Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, two luxury wallets, one pair of shoes from Michael Kors and an engagement ring from jeweller House of Gassan.
The total value of the luxury items she purchased was more than $23,000, and Tan knew she was supposed to pay GST on these items when she returned to Singapore.
However, when she landed in Singapore on May 10, she cleared immigration and collected her luggage at Changi Airport without declaring the goods she brought home.