Is it illegal to buy counterfeit goods in Singapore?

In Singapore, legislation such as the Trade Marks Act mainly penalise the manufacturer or the seller of the counterfeit good. The owner of the trademark may sue the counterfeiter for damages, according to section 31 of the Act. Furthermore, the counterfeiter is also subject to a criminal offence which is punishable with fine, jail, or both.

Any person who imports counterfeit goods, for trade or manufacture, or sells such counterfeit goods, is also liable for a criminal offence.

Buyers of counterfeit goods will probably not be prosecuted by law, if the purpose of the purchase is solely for personal use, although they do face the possibility of having their fake branded goods confiscated by the authorities.

Custom officers in Singapore have the authority to detain, examine and confiscate goods which are reasonably suspected of being counterfeit goods, in accordance to section 93A of the Trade Marks Act. Moreover, they even have the power to forcibly open locked containers, such as car boots, pursuant to section 95 of the same Act, so don’t think you can get away by stashing counterfeit products in concealed locations.