Smoke emissions limit for foreign diesel vehicles entering Singapore to be tightened from April 2026

SINGAPORE - From April 1, 2026, the smoke emissions limit for foreign commercial diesel vehicles will be tightened as part of efforts to reduce air pollutants from vehicles.

These pollutants, which include particulate matter and hydrocarbons, can cause breathing issues.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said on July 1 in a statement that from the 2026 date, vehicles found with emissions of 50 Hartridge Smoke Units (HSU) or more will be turned back at Singapore’s land checkpoints.

HSU is a metric for smoke emissions from diesel vehicles.

Currently, those who drive both local and foreign commercial diesel vehicles that exceed 40 HSU are fined, while foreign commercial diesel vehicles that reach 60 HSU are not allowed to enter Singapore.

NEA said the new threshold of 50 HSU is consistent with the emission standards under the Asean Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit, signed in Vietnam in December 1998.

From Oct 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, the agency will issue advisories to foreign commercial diesel vehicles entering Singapore to remind them of the new threshold and when it kicks in.

Also, from July 1, 2028, foreign-registered motorcycles registered in their home country before July 1, 2003 will be barred from Singapore’s roads.

This extends a requirement that local motorcycles of the same age are expected to comply with, as these vehicles are generally more pollutive than those complying with newer Euro emissions standards.

Foreign motorcyclists entering Singapore have to use motorcycles registered on or after July 1, 2003 that comply with Singapore’s in-use emission standards, said NEA.

Motorists who fail to comply with Singapore’s emission laws can be fined up to $2,000 on first conviction.