How to Ship Goods from China to Singapore Step-by-Step Guide)
Importing goods from China to Singapore is very Cheap, but 80% of your profit eaten by the international shipping right? Oh No!!!
To ship goods from China to Singapore, you can choose sea freight, air freight, or express courier depending on your cargo size, budget, and delivery urgency. Sea freight is best for large shipments over 3 CBM, while air freight and express shipping are suitable for urgent or smaller cargo. Most importers choose DDP door-to-door shipping because the freight forwarder handles customs clearance, taxes, and final delivery.
If you want to buy goods from China to Singapore, easily, safely, and at most competitive shipping price, this article will give you a comprehensive guide of full shipment process, price breakdown and tips for potential risks.
Who Is This Guide For?
- First-time importers → need DDP China to Singapore
- Amazon sellers → need labeling + consolidation service
- SMEs → need cost optimization
What is the Shipping Process from China to Singapore?
Following is a standard procedure shipping from China to Singapore for importers.
Step 1: Confirm Product Type and Quantity
Make sure that your goods are allowed to be imported in Singapore. And if your goods are ready, prepare the commercial invoice and packing list well. When you make the inquiry with freight forwarders, they are necessary.
Step 2: Decide Freight Forwarder and Incoterm
Choose your freight forwarder and decide the Incoterm. Incoterms determine responsibility for shipping cost, customs clearance, and risk between buyer and seller. Among main Incoterms, DDP is suitable for beginners and e-commerce sellers who prefer all-in-one solutions, while EXW and FOB are more flexible for experienced importers who can manage origin logistics independently.
Step 3: China Pick up and Origin Logistics and Service
Normally origin handling includes:
- Pickup from your designated location to freight forwarder’s warehouse, airport or seaport.
- Consolidation: most freight forwarders will provide consolidation service for clients who have multiple suppliers to help them reduce costs.
- Repacking: if it is necessary.
- Export customs clearance: submit the customs declaration.
Step 4: International Transport
Once you confirm the shipping method from your freight forwarder, then they will help you arrange international shipping.
Step 5: Singapore Import Customs Clearance
When your goods arrive in Singapore, no matter by air freight or sea freight, the first thing is to arrange import declaration and pay duties and GST. If there are no issues with your goods and the payment has been done, your goods will be released.(These Customs and taxes things usually done by your hired Freight Forwarder,Check this article [Top freight Freight forwarder from China to Singapore](Top Freight Forwarders China to Singapore "Top freight Freight forwarder from China to Singapore").)
Step 6: Final Delivery
After clearance, Your freight forwarder will handle the final miles delivery to your doorstep, factory, business location or your designated Amazon warehouse.
Sea Freight vs Air Freight from China to Singapore: Which Is Better for Your Cargo?
Main shipping methods from China to Singapore are sea freight if your shipment more than 3 CBM, air freight (21-500KG) and international express for less than 21KG. Below is a comparison of air freight, sea freight, and express shipping from China to Singapore based on cost, speed, restriction, risk and other main points.
Let’s make a quick overview of them:
| Air Freight Good for 21-500KG |
Sea Freight Good for >3CBM |
Express Good for Less Than 21kg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Price (Under DDP Term) |
High | Low | Medium |
| Transit Time | Around 2-4days | 10-20 days | 1-3 days |
| Minimum Shipping Cost | High | Low | Medium |
| Cargo Restriction | Medium | Low | High |
| Hidden Fees | Medium | High | Low |
| Customs Clearance | Standard | Complex | Easy |
| Tracking Visibility | High | Medium | High |
| Flexibility | Flights schedule flexibility | Cost flexibility | Service flexibility |
| Risk Level | Medium | High | Low |
| Best For | Urgent shipments, high-value goods |
Large shipments not crucial to transit time | Samples, e-commerce small parcels |
Sea Freight from China to Singapore
Sea freight is the most cost-effective shipping methods from China to Singapore if your shipment is more then 3CBM or heavy, but it also has its disadvantages.
- Sea freight Advantage: Low cost , FCL and LCL optional.
- Sea freight Disadvantage: long transit time around 10-20 days, higher risk, more hidden fees, more preparation of documents.
- Suitable: project logistics, large furniture, raw material and quarterly restocking.
Air Freight from China to Singapore
Air freight is a kind of very flexible method for shipment from 21-500kg with only 2-4 days transit time.
- Air freight advantage : fast, safe, and very flexible timeline.
- Air freight Disadvantage: higher cost, fluctuated hidden fees like fuel surcharge
- Suitable: urgent restocking and high value goods shipping like art, jewelry, luxury goods and perishable food.
Express Courier from China to Singapore
Express shipping is one of the most hassle-free shipping solutions for small shipments less than 21KG from China to Singapore with safe delivery and full visibility.
-
Express Courier advanages: door to door worry free, full process transparent tracking, safe and relatively lower risk of cargo loss and damage.
-
Express Disadvanages: higher cost, strict restriction for dangerous goods, special goods and oversized goods.
-
Suitable: sample, urgent files, small parcel.
Customer case: One of our clients buy Wedding dress from Jiangsu Province, use Express courier ship from china to Singapore, it only takes 2 days arrived.
Shipping Cost Breakdown from China to Singapore
As air freight and sea freight have different shipping cost calculation methods, they have different price units. Following door to door price of general goods are the real data from DFH Logistics in May, 2026. If your goods contain batteries, branded items, liquids, or use nonstandard shaped packages, please contact us for a customized quote and more information.
Air Freight Shipping Cost China to Singapore
| Chargeable Weight | Unit Price |
|---|---|
| 11-30 KG | 4.48 USD/KG |
| 31-1OO KG | 3.73 USD/KG |
| 101-500 KG | 3.36 USD/KG |
| 501-1000 KG | 3.13 USD/KG |
Sea Freight Shipping Cost China to Singapore
| CBM | Unit Price |
|---|---|
| 1-3 CBM | 119.40 USD/CBM |
| 4-5 CBM | 116.42 USD/CBM |
| 6–10 CBM | 111.94 USD/CBM |
| 11–15 CBM | 107.46 USD/CBM |
Express Shipping Cost China to Singapore
| Chargeable Weight | Unit Price |
|---|---|
| 25 – 45 KG | 2.69 USD/KG |
| 46 – 71 KG | 2.54 USD/KG |
| 72 – 100KG | 2.46 USD/KG |
| 101 – 300 KG | 2.39 USD/KG |
| ＞300 KG | 2.31 USD/KG |
Above price may fluctuate over time and only for reference. Different freight forwarders are featured with their own competitive routes and resource. So if you are looking for freight forwarders from China to Singapore, compare more options before making a decision.
Shipping Time from China to Singapore
Let’s also make a comparison of shipping time from China to Singapore between express, air freight and sea freight.
| Shipping Method | Transit Time |
|---|---|
| Express(UPS, DHL, FedEx) | 2–4 days |
| Air Freight | 1–2 days (Airport to Airport) 3-5 days (Door to Door) |
| Sea Freight | 10–15 days (Seaport to Seaport) 15-20 days (Door to Door) |
If you are experienced importers who has local resource both in China and Singapore, you can choose port to port solution to reduce shipping cost. But for the beginners, door to door service is always the best.
Common Risks Shipping from China to Singapore
Potential risks hide in every step of your shipment. Here are some common risks and corresponding tips for Singapore importers to know.
Cargo Damage and Loss
Before the shipment, professional freight forwarders normally will check the packaging for you. If the packaging is not sturdy enough, they will reinforce it to ensure no damage during transit.
For example, we provide reinforced wooden frame for our clients:
During the international transit, packages can be damaged if packed incorrect. Above picture is one of our client from Singapore bought glass photo frame. We helped to made the wooden frame, to protect the pacakge, We send out on 16th May, Client got package on 18th May. He is very happy for the shipping efficiency, and told goods arrived perfectly.
Customs Clearance Issues
In the process of customs clearance, you may face the issues like customs inspection, detention and penalty. First of all, don’t import prohibited goods in Singapore. Make sure you have correct full set of shipping documents with required certificates and permits. And use a trustworthy freight forwarders who can handle the customs clearance with rich experience.
Here is a Complete Guide for All Singapore importers: Customs Clearance in Singapore
Hidden Fees
Some common hidden fees may include fuel surcharge, port handling fees, documentation fees, customs duties and GST (depending on Incoterms and shipment structure) are not listed on the quotation sheet provided by your freight forwarders. In this case, you will be asked to pay more bills after done the payment initially.
You can use DDP trade term that helps to reduce unexpected hidden fees by offering an all-inclusive pricing. And you still need to confirm with your freight forwarders what serviced included in that price, no matter use which trade term.
FAQ About Shipping Goods from China to Singapore
1. What are the prohibited goods in Singapore?
Prohibited goods in Singapore include explosives, firearms, drugs, unlicensed controlled products and counterfeit goods. Confirm with your freight forwarder if your goods are allowed to be imported or check the official Singapore Controlled and Prohibited Goods for Imports before shipping.
2. What documents are required to ship from China to Singapore?
Common documents includes commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and additional permits or certificates if it is necessary. Make sure your documents are consistent and correct. Otherwise it will result in shipment delay. Check Singapore official Documents for Clearance of Goods.
3. Can directly ship from China to Amazon warehousing in Singapore?
Yes, it is possible to ship directly from China to Amazon warehouses in Singapore. Freight forwarders can assist with labeling, documentation, customs clearance, and ensuring compliance with Amazon FBA inbound requirements. You only need to provide accurate shipment details and warehouse labels.
4. Can I change the shipping method after booking?
Yes, as long as it before departure. But there may be additional costs, affect delivery schedules, and require updated documentation, so it is recommended to make the decision carefully at first.
5. The customs broker is necessary for a first-time importer in Singapore?
No need to coordinate by yourself. If you cooperate with a freight forwarder, they will arrange the customs clearance both in China and Singapore for you. They will save your coordination time with other parties.
DFH Logistics – Your Best Freight forwarder from China to Singapore
DFH Logistics specialize in international logistics for more than 13 years. We have served over 10,000 clients shipping from China to Singapore by air, sea and express. With our dedicated routes, strong operation power and competitive price, we maintain a 99% positive feedback rate.
Our comprehensive services include pickup from your designated location, consolidate goods with your multiple suppliers, repacking and relabeling especially for Amazon sellers, 30 days free warehousing, inspection, cargo insurance, customs clearance and final delivery.
Feel free to contact us for a customized solution for your China to Singapore shipment.
Customer Case Study
This week, we help one of our client ship clothes from China to Singapore by DDP door to door sea freight. With our powerful and stable routes, it only takes 8 days from origin seaport to doorstep.
