Licensing approach

Food vending machine operations with (1) temperature control requirement and/or (2) food processing within the vending machine must be licensed in order to operate. NEA will issue a single licence to the food vending machine operator to operate multiple vending machines.

In general, NEA will issue a Food Vending Machines licence when the following conditions are met:

• Compliance with the licensing requirements for vending machine operations

The appended requirement covers areas such as design and structure, cleanliness and maintenance, food hygiene, food transportation and, site where the machines are places. These requirements will be verified through a pre-licensing check of the food vending machine(s)

• Submission of relevant approvals and supporting documents

1. Submit a copy of applicant's NRIC / Business Profile information from Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) 
2. Equipment layout of vending machines (both interior and exterior)
3. Detailed business proposal of the vending machine operation (Please refer to attached guide when preparing the business proposal)
4. Completed excel sheet to indicate the location of the vending machines (Please refer to attached excel template to insert/update sites of vending machine)
5. Tenancy Agreement of a single vending machine location

Submission of online application and licence fee

The online application for a Food Vending Machines licence can be submitted here. When filling the operating address, applicants may submit the location where any one of the vending machines is sited.

The licence costs $195.00 and is valid for one year.

 Offline submission of documents

For submission of documents after online application through LicenceOne, please email the documents to NEA_Hygiene_Licence@nea.gov.sg with the application ID.

 Frequently asked questions

How does NEA determine which vending machine operations require a licence from NEA?

With the vast variety of vending machines in the market, NEA take a risk-based approach in regulating food vending machines where only food vending machines with (1) temperature-control requirement and/or (2) in-machine food preparation are to be licensed.

My company has a variety of machines for different food types; do I need to obtain multiple food vending machine licences?

NEA will be issuing a single licence to the food vending machine operators to operate multiple vending machines. Operators with different types of machines are to submit the plan with detailed business proposal during pre-licensing stage or during update of vending machines. Operators shall also notify NEA of all locations where the vending machines are placed, as well as each new location where additional machines will be placed, prior to operations.

 What are the food sources that can supply food to the vending machines?

All food for sale in vending machines must be obtained from licensed/approved source(s) i.e. AVA licensed central kitchens, AVA approved imported food and/or NEA licensed food catering operation. The list of food items for sale shall be communicated to NEA before the operations and sale will be confined to those items only. Sale of food from unlicensed sources/premises is strictly not permitted.

How do I update additional sites of vending machines after obtaining NEA licence?

Licensee can use the attached excel template to update NEA Central Licensing Unit (CLU) via NEA_Hygiene_Licence@nea.gov.sg with the NEA licence reference number