Winsky freight provides excellent both Air and Sea shipping services at a minimal cost from China to Singapore.

We handle every kind of goods with specialized persons, use the most advanced technology, perfectly complete all of your documentation and on-demand customs clearance procedure.

If you are looking for the best LCL shipping rate or door-to-door shipping service, you will get the best competitive price from us with an excellent shipping experience.

If you want to know every ins and outs before shipping from China to Singapore, we hope this article will help you find all the answers.

The products below are prohibited, so you CAN NOT import those items to Singapore. In addition, you will not get any special permission also. So, NEVER think of importing the following things while shipping from China to Singapore.

• Firecrackers
• Cigarette lighters
• Chewing gums
• Rhinoceros horns
• Oral and nasal snuffs
• Telecommunication equipment
• Shisha
• Obscene materials
• Controlled substances

Here is the detailed list of Restricted and Prohibited goods to import in Singapore.

2. What are the available shipping ways for shipping from China to Singapore?

There are four types of shipping methods in the world – Sea, Train, Land, Air. Available shipping methods between two countries depend on their geographical location. As China and Singapore have no Train or Land connection, you can use only two shipping methods to ship from China to Singapore – Sea Freight and Air freight.

Air Shipping from China to Singapore

If you compare Air freight with ocean freight, the first one has many advantages over the second one.

We have listed some key benefits below:

• The first one obviously is the time. Air freight is quicker than any other shipping method, and ocean freight is no comparison with air freight. You can receive your goods in 1-5 So, if you need quick delivery, prefer air freight.
• Air freight is cost-effective for some specific items. You will need only one point of contact (air freight broker) to wrap all the logistics. But air freight is not cost-effective for most products.
• Air freight is safer than any other shipping method. It reduces the risk of damage or even loss of the products. In addition, tracking air freight is easier than other shipping methods.

Though Singapore is an economically stable country, it has many airports. But for cargo shipping, two airports are preferred by most importers. They are  –  Singapore Changi Airport, Seletar Airport.

You can learn about the chargeable weight of air freight from the below video

Factors affecting the Air Freight costs

Air freight is considered the most convenient shipping service from China to Singapore. Singapore airlines and airports are very efficient, and a considerable amount of items are shipped via air freight.

For example, if you are importing perishable goods, the carbon footprint from China, Air freight should be your first choice.

Although it is the fastest and safest method of shipping, it has a very crucial drawback. The load capacity of air freight is no match with sea freight. So, transferring heavy goods via air freight is not a good idea.

Let’s look at the factors that affect air freight shipping costs:

Container type

You can not transport every product using the same type of cargo. Different products need different types of containers.

Some specialized goods will need special types of containers for safety. This will increase the shipping cost.

Again, products like artworks, glassware, and flowers require special packaging. That also affects the shipping costs.

Skilled Manpower

Items like fragile goods demand special skills to handle. Those who handle general products can not handle fragile items. Those people should have special training, and of course, they are expensive.

Shipping Time

There are two types of air freight – extra fast and regular. If you want to receive your consignment really fast, you can choose extra fast delivery, which will charge more than the regular shipping.

Shipping Season

Shipping season heavily influences shipping costs. For example, in the Chinese new year season, the whole of China enjoys a big holiday. If you want to ship then, you have to pay more.

Again, at Christmas, most companies give special offers, and people buy more goods then. As a result, the shipping rate increases during that time. So, if not necessary, do not ship in pick season.

Pro Tips:

• Pack your goods with the smallest size of a box to avoid paying extra for using unnecessary space.
• Negotiate with your freight forwarder to give you the best deal.
• Buy a bulk package and try to do one-time shipping rather than shipping in separate air freights.
• Reduce weight as much as you can.

If you don’t know how to do these or find somebody to do these for you, Don’t worry. Winsky freight will take care of all. We ensure everything professionally so that you don’t have to pay a single extra penny.

If you are a serious businessman and import a handsome amount of goods from China to Singapore frequently,sea shipping is the best option you can get. It is the cheapest shipping method from China to Singapore.

Here are some key benefits of ocean shipping:

• Sea freight is the most cost-effective shipping method. The cost is very low considering other shipping methods.
• You can ship heavy items like cars, heavy types of machinery, etc.
• There is no restriction while you are shipping from China to Singapore by sea freight. You can ship any product you wish.
• With FCL and LCL shipping methods, you can control the shipping cost also.

LCL Ocean Freight

LCL means Less than container load. We hope you can understand this shipping method from the name. That says you don’t need to book a whole container to ship your goods from China to Singapore.

In LCL shipping, you will pay only for the place you will use. The cost will be determined according to the space you will use inside of a container. Usually, the price is calculated on volume in cubic meters.

So, if you were in a confusion that sea freight is ideal for a large number of goods, just forget it. You can ship virtually any amount of goods using the LCL shipping method.

The process of LCL shipping is straightforward. You will contact a freight forwarder and tell them the type of goods and the quantity. They will contact a carrier, reserve required space, and prepare documentation.

Winsky is the best LCL shipping service provider in China. We offer the best competitive price, and you will receive your goods in real quick time.

Are you a small business owner or prefer LCL shipping to maintain your supply chain smoothly? Just send us a message. One of our LCL shipping experts will contact you quickly.

FCL Sea freight

FCL is just the opposite of LCL shipping. FCL means Full Container Load. In LCL, you share a container with other importers, but in FCL, you own the full container. You have to pay for the entire container irrespective of how much space you will use.

You can hire two types of containers for your FCL shipping – 20ft and 40 ft containers. In addition, you can also hire a 40 ft high cube container.

The process of FCL shipping is similar to LCL. You will contact a freight forwarder and tell them the type of your product along with the quantity. Your freight forwarder will decide which container will be suitable for you and hire accordingly.

FCL is comparatively faster than LCL as it does not stop in multiple ports. But if you are not importing a massive amount of goods, FCL will not be a cosf-effective method of shipping for you.

If you want to learn more on FCL and LCL shipping please watch the below video

Express shipping from China to Singapore

As the name suggests, it is the fastest shipping method. You can receive your goods in 2-3 days using express shipping.

It’s a door to door service, and you don’t have to think about the documentation or customs clearance process.  But don’t get excited because express shipping is very much expensive. They also have a package size limitation, and their volumetric weight is much higher than air freight. This means you will pay more for the same amount of product if you use express instead of air freight.

So, consider using express shipping if you are shipping very low-quantity goods. For example, if you bring a sample or prototype from China to Singapore, express shipping is a wise choice.

There are many famous express shipping companies in the world that operate globally. Some of them are – DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS, etc.

If you are in urgency and need to use express shipping, Winsky freight has good news for you. Winsky freight has contracts with the top express shipping companies operating in Singapore. We can offer less price than the express shipping itself with our special agreements.

You can not receive your consignment in Singapore if you don’t have the necessary documents. The Customs department demands some necessary documents, and they won’t hand over your goods if you can not show those papers to them.  Though there are many papers, five documents are mandatory documents for shipping from China to Singapore:

• (AWB) Air Waybill – Air carrier will provide
• Bill of Lading – Sea carrier will provide (NVOCC freight forwarders can provide also )
• Packing List – Freight forwarder will provide
• Commercial Invoice – Supplier/Manufacturer will provide
• Shipper’s Letter Of Instruction– Supplier/Manufacturer will provide

Filling the documents properly is a complicated task and needs experience. A professional freight forwarder has experienced personnel to fill up those documents correctly. Any flaw there can hold your shipment in the customs department for a long time.

So, be sure that your freight forwarder has good experience filling up shipping documents.

China is the global export leader. No country in the world is close to China regarding export goods. According to the World Economic Forum, 90% of the world’s goods are shipped by sea. China is no exception.

Most importers use the sea for shipping from China to Singapore. That’s why the Chinese government invested hugely to make their seaports efficient so that they could ship a huge amount of goods smoothly. Here are some of the top seaports in China:

• Jiangmen
• Shantou
• Jiujiang
• Guangzhou
• Xiamen
• Zhongshan
• Zhuhai
• Foshan
• Ningbo-zhoushan
• Tianjin
• Dalian
• Wuhan
• Nansha
• Wuhu
• Qinzhou
• Shanghai
• Nanjing
• Qingdao
• Lianyungang
• Chongqing
• Fuzhou
• Shenzhen

Jurong port and PSA Corporations are the two main commercial ports that operate in Singapore. These ports can handle any type of vessel.

The port of Singapore has many terminals. such as:

• TanjongPagar
• Sembawang
• Brani
• PasirPanjang
• Jurong

In China, there are 241 Commercial Airports. But not all airports are capable of handling cargo. Here are some of the top airports that are famous for cargo handling:

• Xi’an Xianyang
• Hangzhou Xiaoshan
• Kunming Changshui
• Shanghai Pudong
• Shanghai Hongqiao
• Chengdu Shuangliu
• Beijing Capital
• Shenzhen Baoan
• Guangzhou Baiyun

Singapore has only two major airports that are capable of cargo handling. They are :

• Seletar Airport
• Singapore Changi Airport

Sorry, there is no magic figure to answer this question. But we can give you an overall idea. Here is the approximate shipping time for shipping from China to Singapore:

By Sea freight

Guangzhou—7-14 days

Shanghai—10-14 days

Xiamen—7-14 days

Tianjin—10-14 days

Shenzhen—7-10 days

Port.com is an excellent website to determine the distance and required time needed between two ports. You can enter the name of the two ports and find out the approximate time to reach the cargo.

By Air Freight

• From Xiamen— 3 -5 days
• From Nanjing or Guangzhou —7 days
• From Wuhan—3- 5 days
• From Shanghai-Pudong or Shenzhen—3-5  days

Shipping costs from China to Singapore depend on various factors.  No freight forwarders can tell you the shipping cost unless they know every ins and outs of your shipment. Let’s introduce you to the key factors that affect the cost of shipping from China to Singapore.

The reference cost is US$100-150/CBM for door to door sea freight, and reference air freight is US$3-5/KG.

• What will be the shipping method – ocean or air?
• Air freight considers the volumetric weight of your shipment. See the below infographics for demonstrations:
• Your product’s dimension and weight. For air freight, they will calculate the “volumetric weight.” And for sea freight, you will be charged for the space you occupy (LCL). If you use FCL, you have to pay for the entire container.
• Service type—door-to-door, port-to-door, port-to-port, or door-to-port?
• The type of your goods also affects the cost. If you are importing fragile items, perishable items, and chemicals, your goods will need extra care and special cargo. And that will charge more.
• The distance between the two ports also changes the shipping price. So, try to use a color port and spend some more on inland transportation.

Last but not least, a freight forwarder has a considerable impact on your shipping cost from China to Singapore. For example, Winsky freight has contracts with the top carriers in Singapore. So, we can offer less price than many other freight forwarders. So, before booking, please get a quotation from several freight forwarders.

Door to door shipping means you don’t have to do anything regarding shipping from China to Singapore. It’s like ordering something on Amazon and receiving it at your home.

Though we compared it with Amazon shipping, door to door is much more complex than that. Because here the freight forwarder you hired needs to deal with many products.

The process of door to door shipping is the most convenient method of shipping you can use. The first thing is to hire a freight forwarder who has quite good experience in this sector. You will send the supplier’s address and your house or warehouse address. The freight forwarder will take care of the rest.

They will receive goods, transport them to Singapore, hire trucks for inland transport and deliver the shipment to the given address. Your duty is to unload the goods from the truck.

You can use air or sea any shipping method for door to door service. Winsky freight is the most famous door to door service provider in China. We handle your goods with optimum security and deliver them to your doorstep on or before our promised time.

If you are a new importer, door to door will be the best shipping solution for you. Please send us a message, and our door to door expert will contact you immediately.

Shipping cost from China to Singapore depends on various variables. If you are looking for cheap shipping, you have to consider some factors. For example, the packaging is a crucial factor. Compact packaging can reduce the shipping cost.

Then choose two ports that have the nearest distance as distances affect the shipping cost.

We all know sea shipping is the cheapest. But there are two methods – LCL and FCL. Though FCL costs less, you are just wasting your money if you don’t have products to fill the entire container.

Therefore, you can choose LCL as you will need to pay for the exact space you will use. Consolidation is another excellent way to reduce shipping costs. You can import products from different suppliers on a single vessel in this shipping method.

Winsky freight provides the best consolidation shipping service in China. Contact us to learn more.

Customs clearance can be a very hectic process especially if you are new in the import-export business. Here are the steps for customs clearance for shipping from China to Singapore:

i)Types of your goods

The customs duty depends on the types of your goods. For example, if your goods fall into FTZ then you don’t have to pay the customs duty. Again, different products have different customs clearance charges. So, first, you have to know the category of your goods.

ii)Activate Customs Account

You will need a customs account to import goods in Singapore. Register with ACRA or UEN. When the previous processes are done then Activate your customs account.

iii)Apply for Inter-Bank GIRO

Your supplier or you must have an IBG with Singapore customs so that they can pay clearance costs, penalties, fees, taxes, etc.

This account is needed to pay for GST, import duties, penalties, and other forms of payment to Singapore customs directly. In case, you need this account, you can make one from Singapore Customs.

iv)Security

Next step is security. How much money is needed for the security depends on the transaction type? You will get the detailed list from Singapore Customs and for more information on security lodgement please visit the security lodgement page.

v)Import Permit

You can not import to Singapore without a customs import permit. You can apply for an import permit for yourself and submit all the applications via Tradenet.

You can take government service or service from a private organization for approved tradenet software service.

vi)Check whether your goods are restricted or not

We have talked about restricted items earlier. You can check which items are classified as restricted items in Singapore from Tradenet. If your goods belong to “controlled goods” you have to take special permission.

vii)Documents

There are certain documents that the customs department must ask to release your goods. Some documents are prepared by your supplier, some by your freight forwarder, and some by the carrier.

But, in short, a freight forwarder takes care of all the documents needed for customs clearance. Filling the documents properly is equally important.

• (AWB) Air Waybill
• Bill Of Lading
• Packing List
• Commercial Invoice
• Shipper’s Letter Of Instruction

It’s nearly impossible for an importer to manage all those things for customs clearance in Singapore. Therefore, the best way is to take support from a customs broker or a freight forwarder.

As a leading freight forwarder in Singapore, we have our own dedicated customs clearance team working from Singapore. So, If you ship with Winsky you have no headache with the customs clearance.

Who will pay the customs charges while shipping from China to Singapore?

In most cases, the receiver or the importer pays the customs duty. Importer hires a customs broker to complete the customs duty and other expenses. Freight forwarders also provide this service as an additional service.

At Winsky, we have a dedicated customs department wing working in Singapore and completing customs duties-related tasks.

Besides, sometimes the supplier pays the customs duties in special incoterms.

What Is The Average Custom Clearance Cost For Shipping A Product From China To Singapore?

Customs clearance costs in Singapore include two types of costs. They are:

Import Duties

Most products that enter Singapore from China are subjected to import duties. if the total value CIF exceeds SGD400, it will create GST 7% of the goods declared value.

Product value/cost

Product value is not only the purchase value. The transportation cost and insurance cost (if applicable) are also included in the product value. In addition, the handling charge is also included in the product value.

Values for commodities are not fixed, and there are various slabs. It’s a complicated calculation. You can get an idea from the official website of Singapore customs.

Are you feeling lost? Don’t be. Winsky freight is here to assist you. Just tell us the type of your goods, the quantity, and the shipping method you will use. We will calculate the product cost for you. You don’t need to hire another customs broker and need not pay a single extra penny.

International shipping is a complicated task. And shipping between the two most economically and systemically strong countries, China and Singapore, is even tougher. You need expert people, skilled workers, experienced campaigners to complete the task for you.

China to Singapore is one of our most used shipping routes. We have dedicated teams to look after our clients from Singapore. We have an excellent connection with shipping carriers of Singapore, experienced customs experts, and skilled workers to handle any type of goods.

International shipping is a complicated procedure. And for beginners, it’s overwhelming at the beginning. That’s why we prepared this guide so that you can get a clear understanding of shipping from China to Singapore.

A good freight forwarder can make this challenging task easy for you. Because skill, knowledge, and experience are the key here. That’s why Winsky freight is considered one of the best freight forwarders for shipping from China to Singapore. Send us a message if you are still finding the answer. If planning on a shipping project, ask for a quote. We promise you will get the best one from us.