Bags, Customs, and a Dash of Drama in Singapore
So, here’s the scoop: Taiwanese makeup maestro Xiao Kai (real name Chang Ching‑kai, aka “Xiao Kai Laoshi” – think of him as the style guru of Lady First) was cruising through Singapore’s control tower, only to find himself elbow‑deep in a customs mystery.
What Went Down?
- Xiao Kai’s Celine bag, cradled in a dustbag on his carry‑on, earned the label “luxury item.” He was ushered to a checkpoint room.
- The officials demanded a receipt, but the bag’s birth certificate (i.e. the purchase record) dated back a month old – bought in Taipei.
- “They treated me like I was smuggling drugs, gold, or diamonds,” he grumbled in Mandarin during a 15‑minute Instagram Live. The clip vanished from his feed, but the drama lingered.
Just 7 %? The Bottom Line
Because the bag was younger than three months, Singapore’s GST squad slapped a 7 % tax (approximately NT$50,000 or S$2,205). “It’s peanuts,” Xiao Kai quips, “I can pay the little extra and move on.”
He added that the bundling was pristine—almost brand‑new—so there’s no holy “used” loophole involved. He’d “admited if I’d done something wrong” but insisted the bag was perfectly legal.
Singapore Customs Responds
The local customs office acknowledged the post and reached out to Xiao Kai for a detailed briefing. They reminded travelers that new goods arriving with a GST tax relief that’s been exceeded must declare and pay GST.
For used personal items, there’s usually a free pass. Yet each case gets a case‑by‑case review, with factors like item condition guiding the final decision.
Other Celebrity Roller‑Coaster: Jeon So‑min Goes Wrong
While Xiao Kai had a bruised thumbs-up on his bag, South Korean star Jeon So‑min of Running Man experienced a lighter, yet still baffling, hiccup.
- Nicknamed “94% of me,” she was interrogated when she slipped into Singapore for a holiday.
- She posted a story on her reality‑game‑show that she had accidentally typed “2202” instead of “2022” on her arrival card, creating confusion about her intended return date.
While no big fines were hinted at, the episode’s punchline was that even the most seasoned celebrities can trip over a keyboard glitch. It’s a reminder: always double‑check dates, especially when you’re aiming for a smooth runway across international borders.
Xiao Kai’s Unexpected GST Snafu
Picture this: a Taiwanese make‑up star, famous for turning heads in Hollywood glam, suddenly finds himself tangled in Singapore’s tax web. Xiao Kai (yes, the one with the dazzling eyeshadow), popped up on an Instagram Live—only to say the whole broadcast vanished—where he confessed he actually had to foot Singapore’s GST on a used Celine bag. Talk about a wardrobe spoiler!
Why the GST Grabbed Him
- Used but still valuable: Even a pre‑owned designer bag can flirt with the tax‑loving machine.
- Singapore’s “Arrival Card” rule: The stout card warns travelers that any false or incomplete info might land them in a tax‑courtroom.
- Brand name boom: High-end bags ignite the GST line faster than a celebrity gossip timer.
While Xiao Kai tried to explain that the bag had already had its glam glow in other countries, the taxman was clearly not buying it.
From Tax Trouble to Nightlife Triumph
After clearing the bag‑boundary blip, a corrected travel statement meant Xiao Kai could finally embrace his 5‑day Singapore spree. He didn’t just zip through the city; he hit the neon‑lit nightclubs, let loose on dance floors, and even made it to Universal Studios for some thrill‑seeking fun.
In a nutshell
Xiao Kai’s experience is a cautionary (yet pretty funny) tale for any traveler: keep your bags honest, and your arrival card truthful. Otherwise, you might end up paying taxes that would otherwise be a mere souvenir photo‑op. And if you’re lucky—like Xiao Kai—leaving that tax drama behind can mean a vivid 5‑day party in paradise.
