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Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority

Registering a new charge

Charges let lenders claim company assets if loans are not repaid. Register new charges within 30 days after the creation of the charge to avoid penalties.

Register new charge
Last updated 11 February 2026

What is a charge

A charge is a form of security interest held by a lender or creditor (called the "chargee") to secure loan repayment from the borrower (called the "chargor").

If the borrower cannot repay a loan, the chargee can use the charge to claim the company's assets.

Two types of charges

Type

Details

Fixed charge

Secured on fixed assets such as land, buildings, machinery, shares, or intellectual property.

Floating charge


Secured on non-specific or generic categories, such as inventory, cash, stocks, and money owed to you by customers.

Floating charges only convert to a fixed charge when you cannot repay.

Requirements for registering a new charge

All Singapore-registered companies (local, re-domiciled and foreign) must register relevant charges.

When you must register a charge

Registering a charge

What you need to know

Details

Charges you must register

  • Charges on debenture issues

  • Charges on uncalled share capital

  • Charges on subsidiary company shares

  • Charges needing bill of sale registration

  • Charges on land or property

  • Charges on book debts

  • Floating charges on company assets

  • Charges on unpaid share calls

  • Charges on ships, aircraft, or their shares

  • Charges on goodwill, patents, trademarks, or copyrights

Registration deadline

  • Pre-existing charges: Within 30 days after a company redomiciles in Singapore. This applies regardless of where the charge instrument was executed.

  • Charges created in Singapore: Within 30 days

  • Charges created outside Singapore: Within 37 days

Note: The 37-day requirement applies specifically to these filings:

  • Statement containing particulars of charges

  • Statement containing particulars of a series of debentures

Note: For the full list of charges and registration rules, refer to section 131 to 141 of the Companies Act 1967.

Requesting for an extension of time

Extension of time

For charges created

Here is what you need to know

Before redomiciliation
(pre-existing charges)

Your company cannot request an extension of time to register a charge.

You need to:

  1. Obtain a Court Order under section 363(3) of the Companies Act.

  2. Register within the period granted by the Court.

In Singapore

Your company cannot request an extension of time to register a charge.

You need to:

  1. Obtain a Court Order under section 137 of the Companies Act.

  2. Register within the period granted by the Court.

Overseas

Your company can request for an extension of time to register a charge.

To get a 30-day extension, you need to:

  1. Apply to ACRA under section 139 of the Companies Act.

  2. Register the charge within the extended 30 days.

More details: Step-by-step guide to apply for an extension of time (registration of charge under CA S139)

Penalties for late registration

It is a criminal offence if you fail to register a charge. If a charge is registered late:

  • Company officers (such as directors and secretaries) may be fined up to $1,000.

  • Your charge may become void against the liquidator or other secured creditors. This means your lender cannot claim their assets ahead of the liquidator or other creditors.

How to register a new charge

Follow these step-by-step guides to register a new charge.

eServices to register a new charge

For

Step-by-step guides

Local companies

Foreign companies

If you need more time to register a charge, follow our step-by-step guide to apply for a 30-day extension of time.

Modifying existing charges

After registering a charge, you can file a: