In this guide · 7 sections
Short answer
Build a catalogue with specs and an RFQ form, avoid claiming licences or distributorships you can't prove, check whether products or downloadable technical data are controlled strategic goods under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act, and screen buyers and destinations against sanctions.
Catalogue and RFQ: what a trading website needs
B2B buyers search by part number, brand and specification, then ask for a price for their quantity and destination. Prices change with exchange rates and freight, so most traders show specs and collect RFQs rather than publishing prices.
Trading website essentials
Asking for destination and end use on the RFQ form isn't only for quoting: it's the information you need for export control and sanctions checks later. Our manufacturer catalogue and RFQ guide covers RFQ form design in more detail.
What not to claim on a trading website
Trading websites often borrow credibility from the brands they sell. That's fine when it's true and can be shown; it becomes a legal and reputational risk when it isn't.
Safe wording
- "We supply genuine [Brand] parts sourced from authorised channels" (if true and documented)
- "Authorised distributor for [Brand] in Singapore" with the appointment letter on file
- Certifications you hold, with certificate numbers and expiry dates
- "Export licences arranged where required"
Avoid unless you can prove it
- "Authorised" or "official" distributor without a written appointment
- Manufacturer logos used as if you're endorsed by them
- "No permit needed" or "licence-free export" for technical goods
- "We ship anywhere" for goods subject to controls or sanctions
- Certifications that belong to your supplier, not you
Ask each brand for its trademark and logo usage rules, and keep the appointment letters and certificates you rely on, with their expiry dates, in one folder.
Strategic goods controls and your website
Singapore Customs' strategic goods control overview says the Strategic Goods (Control) Act, in force since 1 January 2003, regulates the export, transhipment, transit, intangible transfer of technology and brokering of strategic goods and related technology. Strategic goods include items that can be used to produce weapons of mass destruction and missiles, including dual-use commercial items. There's also a catch-all provision covering any goods or technology intended or likely to be used for WMD purposes.
The part that touches your website and email is intangible transfer of technology. Customs defines it as any electronic transmission of controlled strategic goods technology in Singapore, such as by email or fax, or making the controlled technology available on a computer in Singapore so that it becomes accessible to a person in a foreign country.
- Downloadable datasheets, manuals and software: if any relate to controlled items, don't put them on open download. Gate them behind a login and a check.
- Emailing technical drawings or firmware: treat it like an export; check the item before sending abroad.
- Brokering: arranging deals between foreign buyers and sellers for certain categories needs brokering registration under the 2019 Brokering Order.
- List update: the Strategic Goods (Control) Order 2026 takes effect on 1 December 2026, so re-check product classifications against the new list.
Sanctions screening for buyers and destinations
Singapore implements United Nations Security Council sanctions through the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations. Singapore Customs' UNSC sanctions overview says a permit is required to import, export, tranship or transit all goods originating from or bound for the DPRK, and goods for trade with any person in the DPRK are prohibited. Iran-related controls also require permits and, for some items, UNSC approval.
Capture country and end use on every RFQ
Make destination country, end user and end use required fields, not optional.
Flag high-risk destinations automatically
Route enquiries naming sanctioned or high-risk countries to a compliance check before anyone quotes.
Screen the buyer
Check company and person names against the sanctions lists your bank and Customs refer to. Many trade finance banks will ask you anyway.
Record the check
Save the result with the quote, so you can show what you checked and when.
Trading companies are also a favourite target for payment fraud: fake supplier emails with changed bank details. Our freight forwarder invoice fraud guide explains the checks that stop it.
Multilingual enquiries and routing
Trading companies often deal with buyers who write in English, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Vietnamese or Thai. Routing enquiries to the right person automatically gets quotes out faster than a shared inbox.
| Routing rule | Example | How |
|---|---|---|
| By language | Chinese enquiries to the China desk | Language field on the form, or detection in the automation |
| By product line | Industrial parts vs consumer goods | Category chosen on the RFQ form |
| By destination | High-risk countries to compliance first | Country field triggers a review step |
| By quantity | Large or project RFQs to a senior salesperson | Quantity threshold in the automation |
Translate key product pages properly rather than relying only on a browser translate button, especially specifications and terms. If logistics is part of your offer, our logistics website guide covers quote requests and shipment tracking pages.
Do it yourself or get help?
A trading company with a small catalogue can launch a site with a builder and a good RFQ form. Get help when the catalogue runs to thousands of part numbers, when downloads need gating, or when RFQs must be routed and screened automatically.
Our Business Website package (S$1,490) builds the catalogue, RFQ form and company pages. Workflow Automation (S$390 per workflow) routes RFQs by language, product and destination and flags high-risk enquiries for review. We don't classify goods or give trade compliance advice; that sits with you and your adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Usually not. B2B prices depend on quantity, exchange rates, freight and destination, so most traders show specifications and collect requests for quotation instead. Make the RFQ form ask for quantity, destination country, required date and end use, which helps you quote and also gives you the information needed for export control and sanctions checks.
Singapore Customs describes strategic goods as items and technology that can be used to produce weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them, including dual-use commercial items. They are controlled under the Strategic Goods (Control) Act. The control list is updated by the Strategic Goods (Control) Order 2026, effective 1 December 2026.
It can, for controlled technology. Singapore Customs defines intangible transfer of technology to include making controlled strategic goods technology available on a computer in Singapore so that a person abroad can access it, as well as emailing it. Keep technical data for controlled items behind a login and a check rather than on open download.
Only if the manufacturer has appointed you in writing and you can show the appointment. Claiming authorised or official status without it can mislead buyers and breach the brand's trademark rules. Describe what you can prove, such as sourcing from authorised channels, and keep the supporting documents on file.
Yes, it's sensible for any trader. Singapore implements UN Security Council sanctions, and Singapore Customs requires permits for all goods to or from the DPRK and prohibits goods for trade with persons in the DPRK. Capture destination and end user on every enquiry, check them before quoting, and record the result.