A Swiss national who had failed to declare that he had 58 gold coins in his possession when he arrived at Changi Airport on March the 2nd has been fined $3,000.

The subordinate court said 46-year-ol Theveraja Thambirajah will spend three weeks in jail if he can't pay the fine. 

He had told Immigration and Checkpoints officers that he had nothing to declare. 

But when his luggage was screened and physically checked, officers found the gold coins in a purse within the luggage. 

The coins were valued at nearly $21,000. 

The GST on them amounted to $1,460. 

Theveraja admitted ownership and was detained by ICA officers. 

Singapore Customs investigations revealed that Theveraja had no intention to declare and pay the GST on the gold coins. 

In general, Singapore Customs said all goods imported into Singapore, regardless of whether they are dutiable or non-dutiable are subject to 7% GST.