Circular on Revision of Biological Agents and Toxins HSCompetent Authorities

10 February 2026

To: All Traders & Declaring Agents

Dear Sir/Madam

REVISION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM (HS) CODE FOR IMPORT AND

TRANSHIPMENT DECLARATION OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS

REGULATED UNDER THE BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS ACT

Under the Biological Agents and Toxins Act (BATA), a valid permit, which is

granted by the Ministry of Health (MOH), is required for:

(a) Import of First, Second and Fourth Schedule biological agents, Fifth

Schedule toxins, and inactivated First and Second Schedule biological

agents; and

(b) Transhipment of First and Second Schedule biological agents, and Fifth

Schedule toxins.

2 Application for an import/transhipment permit should be submitted via TradeNet

(TN).

Change in HS Code

3 When applying for permits via TN, the applicant must declare the HS Code

along with the corresponding MOH Product Code specific to the BATA-regulated

biological agents and toxins being imported/transhipped, together with the relevant

supporting documents.1

4 From 1 March 2026, the HS Code for BATA-regulated biological material

will be revised from 30029000 to 30024900, This applies to all BATA-regulated

biological agents and toxins detailed in the List of Biological Agents and Toxins, as

well as biological materials imported using Import Specific Product (ISP) codes. The

only exception is selected biological agents that have been identified as “yeast”, which

shall be declared under HS Code 21021000.

1 Please refer to this link for more details on the import processes, including the list of required supporting documents.

5 Apart from the HS code change detailed above in Para 4, there will be NO

changes in the MOH Product codes, and all existing application procedures, regulatory

requirements, documentation standards, and approval processes for the permits will

remain the same.

6 To facilitate a smooth transition, please refer to Table 1 below for the important

permit application submission timelines during the changeover period.

Table 1: Important Permit Application Submission Timelines for the Affected

Products in Paragraph 4

Time Period Advice on Submission

Permit applications shall be submitted using

Until 27 February 2026, 1700hrs the existing MOH Product Code with HS

Code 30029000.

Avoid submitting permit applications during

From 27 February 2026, 1701hrs to

this period to prevent rejection or processing

28 February, 2359hrs

delays.

Permit applications shall be submitted using

From 1 March 2026, 0000hrs the existing MOH Product Code with the new

HS Code 30024900.

Reminder for Compliance

7 If you are an appointed Declaring Agent (DA) handling permit applications on

behalf of your clients, you must ensure that accurate and complete information is

obtained from your client (the importer/transhipper i.e. the organisation, facility, end-

user of the imported biological material or person who initiates the import or

transhipment of the biological material) for the application. This includes declaring the

correct HS Code and MOH Product Code as outlined in this notice.

8 Please ensure that the importer/transhipper has verified all information

declared in the permit before clearance of any consignment containing BATA-

regulated biological agents or toxins.

9 Please disseminate the above information (paragraphs 4 to 8) and provide the

necessary training to all relevant staff who is or will be involved in the application of

the permits, to ensure that the correct HS Code is declared in the permit applications

from 1 March 2026 onwards.

Clarification

10 Should you require further clarification regarding the change in HS code,

please refer to the attached frequently asked questions document or contact the MOH

Biosafety Branch at moh_biosafety@moh.gov.sg.

Thank you.

MOH Biosafety Branch.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q1: Why is there a HS Code change?

A: This change aligns our HS Code Classification with updated international

standards for biological materials and toxins.

Q2: What does the HS Code change entail?

A: From 1 Mar 2026, all Traders & Declaring Agents should declare the new HS Code

30024900 for all biological agents and toxins regulated under the BATA, including

biological materials imported using MOH-issued ISP codes but excluding yeasts,

which should be declared under HS Code 21021000.

Q3: When does the HS Code change take effect?

A: The HS Code change will take effect from 1 March 2026.

Q4: Which biological agents and toxins are affected by this change?

A: All biological agents and toxins regulated under the BATA are affected. This includes

all biological material which are to be imported/transhipped using the MOH issued

Import Specific Product (ISP) Code. The scope of regulated materials remains

unchanged.

However, BATA-regulated biological agents identified as yeasts are the only exception

and will not be affected by this change. The HS Code 21021000 can be continued to

be use for import/transhipment permit declarations for yeasts.

Q5: Are there any changes to the application process, or requirements?

A: No. This is purely an administrative change to the HS Code classification. All

application procedures, documentation requirements and approval processes remain

the same.

Q6: What happens if I submit an application with the old HS Code 30029000 from

1 March 2026?

A: Permit applications for biological agents and toxins regulated under the BATA with

the old HS Code 30029000 declared from 1 March 2026 will be rejected. A new

application should be submitted using the new HS Code 30024900. Traders and

Declaring Agents are advised to declare the correct HS Code to prevent delays and

ensure smooth processing. Please refer to Table 1 for the important permit application

submission timelines during the changeover period.

Q7: Will my existing permits be affected?

A: No. Permits issued before 1 March 2026 remain valid until the end of their validity

period, regardless of the HS Code declared.

Q8: Do I need to update my internal systems or procedures?

A: Please update any internal workflow, documentation, or systems that reference HS

Code 30029000 to reflect the new HS Code 30024900 from 1 March 2026 and

disseminate this information to all relevant staff who is or will be involved in the

application of the permits.

However, yeasts are an exception to this change. BATA-regulated biological agents

identified as yeasts should continue to be declared under HS Code 21021000.

Q9: Will there be a grace period for using the old HS Code?

A: No, there will be no grace period for using the old HS Code. The transition to HS

Code 30024900 takes immediate effect from 1 March 2026. We are providing this

advance notice to give all stakeholders sufficient time to prepare for the change and

to support a smooth transition to the new HS Code. Please refer to Table 1 above

for the important permit application submission timelines.

Q10: Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

A: Please contact the MOH Biosafety Branch at moh_biosafety@moh.gov.sg for any

further clarifications.