MCCY Has Reached Out to Taobao to Remove Singapore-Style Passport Covers

The Singapore passport has consistently been ranked among the world’s three most powerful passports, granting Singaporeans access to 192 visa-free destinations.

In 2023, Singapore claimed the top spot as the world’s most powerful passport, dethroning the previous five-year reigning champion, Japan, according to the Henley Passport Index 2023. 

This index ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without requiring a visa.

For non-citizens wanting to claim the passport privilege status that Singaporeans have, a solution was within reach – a Taobao shop offered knockoff Singapore passport covers that could make your passport symbolise that you are a Singaporean citizen.

However, these passport covers designed to resemble Singapore passports are no longer available on Taobao. 

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) has reached out to the Chinese e-commerce platform to have the offending listings removed, as stated by a ministry spokesperson.

MCCY Has Reached Out to Taobao to Remove Singapore-Style Passport Covers

This listing on the Chinese e-commerce platform featured a leather passport cover meticulously designed to mimic the appearance of a Singaporean passport, complete with intricate gold embossed lettering and the official state crest.

The merchant claimed the passport covers were crafted from genuine leather and boast waterproof properties.

Priced at 138 yuan (approximately S$26), the passport cover was available in various colours, including classic watermelon red, black, purple, and a deeper shade of red, and remained available on the site until early December.

Illegal to Sell Objects Bearing The State Crest

These covers prominently featured the state crest set against a red background.

The MCCY spokesperson told The Straits Times on 13 December 2023 that selling any item bearing the state crest, also known as the National Coat of Arms, is prohibited without proper authorisation.

Under the National Symbols Regulations 2023, the use of the state crest is restricted to government departments only, the spokesperson added.

According to the National Heritage Board, the State Crest of Singapore symbolises the country’s independence and self-governance. 

It comprises a red shield with a white crescent moon, five white stars, a lion on the left representing Singapore, and a tiger on the right, symbolising its historical ties with Malaysia.

Using the State Crest for advertising or business purposes is illegal, as stipulated in the National Symbols Act 2022 and Regulations.

For the unauthorised use of the national coat of arms, sellers could face a fine of up to S$30,000 or up to six months in jail, or both.

Knockoff Passport Covers for Malaysia, Japan, Thailand & USA

On 5 December 2023, the Taobao shop gained widespread attention when a Reddit user named “twistycatlyman” stumbled upon the knockoff passport covers resembling Singaporean ones.

In addition to selling knockoff passport covers resembling the Singapore passport, the Taobao store offers other options, including covers resembling passports from Malaysia, Japan, the United States, and other countries.

As of today, passport covers mimicking the designs of other countries such as China, Malaysia, Australia, and Japan are still available on Taobao.

If you’ve got a buddy who snagged one of those imitation Singapore passport covers, you might want to give them a friendly nudge to stop using it.

In any case, one could argue that buying these passport covers might be somewhat pointless because people typically need to remove them when going through manual immigration checks at the airport.