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Unauthorised use of state crest prohibited, says MCCY in response to online sale of 'Singapore passport covers'

SINGAPORE — In response to a report that passport covers designed to look like Singapore passports were being sold on e-commerce platform Taobao, the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said that using the state crest without authorisation is prohibited.

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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SINGAPORE — In response to a report that passport covers designed to look like Singapore passports were being sold on e-commerce platform Taobao, the Ministry for Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said that using the state crest without authorisation is prohibited.

TODAY reported last Wednesday (Dec 6) that several online users had found leather passport covers that looked like the Singapore passport being sold on popular e-retail site Taobao.

The listing has since been taken down.

The passport cover, which came with a retail price of 198 yuan (S$37.50), had been available in the original "watermelon red", black, purple as well as a darker red, and came complete with gold embossed lettering and the state crest.

Several photos of the "Singaporean passport cover" with a Chinese passport strapped within were also part of the listing on Taobao, which is owned by China's internet giant Alibaba.

In response to queries, MCCY said on Wednesday: "Under the National Symbols Regulations 2023, the use of the state crest — also known as the national coat of arms — is limited to government departments only. 

"Selling or offering to sell any material or object on which the state crest appears, without proper authorisation, is prohibited."

For using the national coat of arms without proper authorisation, sellers face a fine of up to S$30,000 or up to six months' jail, or both.

TODAY also reported that passport covers that mimic other country's passports — such as Canada, Japan and the United States — were also being sold on the e-commerce platform. These covers are still available for purchase based on checks by TODAY on Wednesday.

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