Three Singaporean men—Loh Yew Kong, 68, Leong Yu Fong, 41, and Loh Chen Sing Darren, 37—alongside three companies, Brighture Et Riche, Brighture Et Riche (Int), and Zenova International, were charged over an alleged scheme to export Chinese-made mattresses falsely declared as Singapore-origin to avoid US import duties [1, 2].
The mattresses involved were worth over S$23 million (US$18 million). The scheme operated between August 2022 and June 2025 [1, 2]. Investigations began in February 2025 after authorities received information about the false declarations concerning mattress exports from Singapore to the United States [1, 2].
Chinese-made mattresses have been subject to US anti-dumping duties since 2019, following findings that they were sold at less than fair value in the US market [1, 2]. The defendants allegedly sought to circumvent these duties by misrepresenting the country of origin on shipping documents.
Singapore Customs stated it treats falsification of trade declarations and misuse of Certificates of Origin seriously. A spokesperson warned that such misconduct undermines the integrity of international trade documents and can harm Singapore’s reputation as a trusted global trading hub: "Singapore Customs takes a serious view of the falsification of trade declarations or the misuse of Certificates of Origin. Such conduct undermines the integrity of international trade documentation and can damage Singapore's standing as a trusted and reliable global trading hub" [1].
If convicted, the men face penalties including fines of up to S$10,000 for false declarations and up to S$100,000 or triple the goods value for false statements on Certificates of Origin. They also risk up to two years imprisonment [1].
The three men and companies were formally charged on June 11, 2025 [1]. The case remains pending as legal proceedings continue.
