Leaving a country is more administrative than arriving — and far easier to mess up. Most expats spend years preparing to arrive and weeks preparing to leave. This page is the calm checklist we wish more people had: what to cancel, what to keep open, what records to take, and how to ship a household out cleanly through Singapore Customs. None of this replaces a tax adviser; the rules around exit taxes, pension transfers and tax residency are country-specific and personal.
60 days out — decide and book
- Confirm your destination address; a confirmed lease or hosted address makes everything that follows easier.
- Get 2–3 quotes from international movers familiar with the outbound lane and the destination customs regime.
- Decide what ships, what sells, what's donated and what's stored. Ocean freight rewards smaller, lighter loads.
- Speak to a tax adviser about tax residency, exit-tax exposure and timing; this is the single highest-leverage step.
30–45 days out — paperwork
- Notify IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) and your employer of your leaving date if required for tax-residency records.
- Request school transcripts and medical records for the family in original / apostilled form.
- Cancel automatic renewals: gym, streaming, insurance, utilities, mobile.
- Transfer or close memberships that don't work abroad (loyalty schemes, club memberships).
2 weeks out — packing and shipping
- Final inventory; the customs declaration in the destination country uses this list.
- Air-freight your first 30 days of essentials separately from the sea container.
- Photograph high-value items before the packers arrive; keep originals of receipts and serial numbers.
- Confirm last-mile origin access (lift booking, parking permit, time window).
Final week — close out
- Cancel or transfer your residency status with ICA (Immigration & Checkpoints Authority) and MOM for work passes if your visa class requires it.
- Close or downgrade resident bank accounts; keep one open if you'll continue receiving income locally.
- Hand back rental keys with the inventory checklist; document everything in writing.
- Notify utilities and tax authorities of your final address abroad for residual paperwork.
After you've left
It is normal to receive paperwork from IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) for 12–24 months after leaving. Keep a forwarding address (postal or digital) and a local representative if you can. Pension transfers, tax refunds and final utility bills often arrive months after departure.
Things people commonly forget
- Cancelling toll-road and parking-permit accounts.
- Notifying schools so transcripts continue to be issued for university applications years later.
- De-linking apps tied to a local phone number (banking 2FA, government login).
- Returning a leased / financed car correctly — early-termination clauses can be expensive.
Plan a clean exit
Tell us where you're going and when. We'll match you with international movers who actually know Singapore outbound logistics and the destination customs regime.
Get a tailored exit quoteFrequently asked questions
Do I need a tax-clearance certificate to leave?
Some countries require formal tax clearance before payroll-final or pension transfers. Confirm directly with IRAS (Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore) or a licensed tax adviser.
Can I ship household goods back without paying duty in the destination country?
Most destination customs regimes allow returning residents and new immigrants to import used personal effects duty-free under specific ownership and use rules. The destination's transfer-of-residence procedure (ToR1, Menaje de Casa, B534, Form 3299, etc.) is the controlling document.
How long should I keep my local bank account open?
Long enough to receive any final salary, expense reimbursement, security-deposit refund and tax refund. Many newcomers keep one account open for 12–24 months.
What about my pension and investments?
Pension transfer rules vary widely. Some allow transfer to a recognised plan abroad, others freeze them locally until retirement age. Take advice before the move, not after.
Can I come back later?
Re-entry generally depends on residency status. Confirm with the immigration authority before relinquishing any residency that's hard to get back.