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#trending: Netizens baffled by 'Singapore passport covers' being sold on Taobao, ask what's the point?

SINGAPORE — Following news of Singapore taking first place in rankings of the world's most powerful passport, users of online forum Reddit have come across a strange phenomenon: Passport covers that allow one to "cosplay as a Singaporean".

A passport cover sold on Taobao, modelled on the Singaporean passport that is currently the world's most powerful passport, based on the Henley Passport Index.

A passport cover sold on Taobao, modelled on the Singaporean passport that is currently the world's most powerful passport, based on the Henley Passport Index.

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  • On an online forum, a user posted images of a Taobao product listing that showed a passport cover designed to look like a Singaporean passport
  • The post has attracted 770 upvotes and 130 replies, with many Singaporeans baffled by the fake covers
  • Some felt that the sale of such a product was due to the Singapore passport's privilege
  • Others saw it as a common tourist souvenir in different countries
  • Some online users pointed out that it might be illegal to use Singapore's state crest or other countries' national symbols for such purposes

SINGAPORE — Following news of Singapore taking first place in rankings of the world's most powerful passport, users of online forum Reddit have come across a strange phenomenon: Passport covers that allow one to "cosplay as a Singaporean".

In a Reddit post on Tuesday (Dec 5), user "twistycatlyman" posted screenshots of a product listing on e-marketplace Taobao, which showed a leather passport cover designed to look like a Singaporean passport, complete with gold embossed lettering and the state crest.

"The Taobao algorithm blessed me with this find," the user wrote, referring to the popular e-retail platform in China owned by technology giant Alibaba.

The passport cover, which lists a retail price of 198 yuan (S$37.50) and "Taobao price" of 138 yuan, is available in the original "watermelon red", black, purple as well as a darker red.

The listing reads in Chinese: "Singapore passport protective cover; genuine leather; first layer cowhide; passport bag; travel document wallet for men and women."

Subsequent photos of the product show a People's Republic of China passport strapped inside the holder.

In just over 24 hours, the post has attracted 770 upvotes and 130 replies, with many Singaporeans baffled by the fake covers.

In the end, you still need to remove your (passport) cover at manual immigration. Whatever the cover is doesn't really matter... what's the point?
Reddit user "aucheukyan"

As a top comment noted: "In the end, you still need to remove your (passport) cover at manual immigration. Whatever the cover is doesn't really matter.

"Some automated gates, you could stuff your passport in with the cover on. But what's the point?"

PASSPORT PRIVILEGE

For some people, it is simply a matter of passport privilege. Singapore consistently ranks among the most powerful passports in the world. In July this year, it replaced five-year champion Japan at the top of the Henley Passport Index 2023.

The index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is considered a standard reference tool for passport power.

Singapore last took the top place in 2021, tying with Japan, before falling behind the following year.

One Reddit user testified: "Can feel the flex when you're overseas, tbh (to be honest).

"Was (in) the UK the other day and was being shepherded by one staff (member) to the 'others' queue, but another staff (member) came to say that I belong to the Europe and UK citizens' queue.

"(Could) see the surprise on the first guy's face. Felt quite smug."

The concept of passport privilege has been widely discussed on social media, with the hashtag earning 20.4 million views on TikTok and holders of "weak" passports sharing countless stories about their struggles with immigration.

One TikTok user griped: "I'll never understand how people just buy a ticket and... leave (the country)? Like, I need months to prepare because of the paperwork."

Others called it a "caste system on a global level" and their "biggest problem in life", claiming that they receive a "total different treatment" from other travellers with "stronger" passports.

GAG SOUVENIR

Several people online pointed out that such covers are "quite common" in tourist souvenir sections, not just sold on Taobao.

In the original post, "twistycatlyman" also noted that the Taobao store selling the Singaporean passport covers also sells those of other countries such as Canada, Japan and the United States.

One Reddit user said that the phenomenon was "nothing new" and the user bought the Japanese version when in Japan.

"It's just a cover to protect your passport. At least that was what I bought it for. It looks real from afar but one look up close (and) you'd know that it's fake."

Another user who had bought a similar cover said that it was done "for fun".

"I enjoy watching sensitive nationalists (get) triggered. Plus, I have too many coins (and get to spend them)."

Other people agreed that the passport cover was "low-key quite funny" and they would not mind getting one.

"I will cosplay as a Singaporean with a Singaporean passport," one joked. "'Oh you think I fake Singaporean? Haha! Bamboozled!'"

Some were more concerned about the legality of the product, asking: "I think using the Singapore coat of arms is illegal right?"

Also known as the national coat of arms, the state crest is governed by the National Symbols Act 2022 and Regulations and generally reserved for official use.

The National Heritage Board's website states that private use of the state crest for advertisement or commercial purposes is prohibited by law. Approval must be sought for any other use except for the purposes of reporting news.

NOT CATCHING ON

On Taobao, the product appears to be far from a popular buy. On the listing, although the Singapore passport cover has a popularity score of 328, only four of its stock have been sold.

A similar Japanese passport cover sold by the same store — translated from Chinese to "Golden Sunshine Leather Store" — has a popularity score of 928 with 15 sold.

The highest sales are going to variations of China's passport, such as the Passport for Public Affairs, issued to its public servants.

The store's most popular product, with a popularity score of 1,562 and 32 items sold, is a passport cover modelled on an official People's Republic of China Lawyer's License.

Some Reddit users also suggested that the covers mimicking other countries' passports might have been made for an international market, saying: "The price alone is a few times the average cost of other passport cases on Taobao, and they even have an English word in the item name."

The store seems to be the only one of its kind on Taobao, with no similar listings from other stores.

A check by TODAY on Wednesday found no Singapore or Japan passport dupes on Singapore's primary e-commerce sites such as Lazada and Shopee.

Instead, both platforms have multiple listings for US passport covers, with some even offering name customisation.

Related topics

passport Taobao

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