“From China to Singapore – Simple Guide
In 2019, China exported more than $49 billion worth of goods to Singapore. Is your business contributing to this number or are you looking to arrange your first export from China to Singapore?
Either way, this page will provide you with information and guidance to make international logistics easier for your business.
You will find important information about sea and air freight from China to Singapore, as well as the origin and destination ports and airports your cargo will pass through. Details about shipping documents and customs clearance can also be found here.
Shipping from China to Singapore
There are two classifications of ocean freight: full container load (FCL) and less container load (LCL). When you only ship small quantities of goods from China to Singapore, you can choose LCL. This is ideal. It will also ensure that your package shares a container with other products shipped by other shipping service providers.
FCL needs to pay a fixed price to ship and rent containers from China to Singapore. This is usually the most cost-effective option for larger shipments that require at least 12 standard pallets in a 40ft container or 6 pallets in a 20ft container.
Air Freight from China to Singapore
Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods from China to Singapore. It’s fast, but it can also be expensive. It also means using almost the same speed as express shipping, but with the help of an optimized international shipping process. It is less automated and more challenging, but more convenient than ocean shipping.
Your cargo is less likely to be damaged by air than by sea, but you have to keep in mind that it is more susceptible to dangerous goods restrictions. Below are examples of transit times from different airports in China to Singapore:
From Xiamen – 6 days
From Wuhan – 14 days
From Shenzhen or Shanghai Pudong – 5 days
From Nanjing or Guangzhou – 7 days
China to Singapore Express
Sea freight is the slowest option and air freight is the fastest. You can ship via UPS, FedEx or DHL. Besides being the fastest, it’s also the most convenient option. But convenience and speed come at a price. Express shipping is the most expensive way to ship products.
It’s more expensive than air freight, so it ends up being more expensive than ocean freight. Unlike air and sea freight, air express is a door-to-door service. This means that if you choose express shipping from China to Singapore, only the courier will handle the shipping and delivery. You don’t have to hire a third-party provider.
You also don’t have to spend more money on other things, such as customs clearance by air courier. Express delivery may take a day or two, door to door. Overall, the price hike depends on how fast you want your goods to be delivered.
How much does it cost to ship goods from China to Singapore?
Several factors must be considered when calculating a quote for ocean or air freight. These include:
How will they be transported – by air or by sea?
What is the volume and dimensions and weight of the cargo?
What service is required – door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door or door-to-port?
If you can’t decide between ocean and air freight, you can always get a quote for both and compare. As a general rule, if your consignment weighs less than 100kg, there is not much difference between air and ocean costs. Shipping heavier goods weighing 100kg or more will cost significantly less than shipping by air.
Freight forwarders generally do not handle shipments weighing less than 35kg. If your shipment falls within this weight range, you should contact an international courier company for a quote.
Types of Shipping Containers from China to Singapore
There are many options when it comes to shipping container types and sizes. When shipping goods, you should find out what type of container best suits your needs. In most cases, the maximum weight and size will affect the equipment you can use for international shipping. Below are the references you can use.
Here are the different classifications of containers in terms of usage:
Dry container (normal container)
Dry storage containers are standard and typically used to transport dry materials. It comes in different sizes as specified by ISO, including 10 feet, 20 feet or 40 feet.
Reefer Container
A reefer or reefer container is a temperature-controlled room with tightly controlled low temperatures. They are used to transport perishable goods such as vegetables and fruits over long distances.
open side container
Open storage containers have doors that you can turn into fully open sides. It provides a wider space for loading and unloading goods.
open top container
Open top containers have removable tops or ceilings, making them ideal for transporting tall cargo.
insulated container
Insulated or insulated containers provide adjustable temperature control. Unlike refrigerated containers, it allows you to maintain higher temperatures. It uses materials that allow you to keep your cargo in condition without being damaged by constant exposure to heat. Insulated containers are the best choice for transporting goods over long distances.
Ventilation container
Ventilation containers have openings that allow for proper ventilation. You can find it on the bottom and top side rails. The gaps keep moisture out and protect the cargo from water or rain.
heating vessel
Heating vessels or exchange bodies are special types of chambers. They are mainly distributed in Europe and do not conform to specific ISO standards. Heated containers aren’t standardized for shipping, but they’re still helpful.
They have a convertible top and durable bottom. This makes heated containers the best choice for transporting different kinds of products.
tank container
Tanks are storage units used to transport liquid materials and are often used in the shipping industry. The tank body is composed of anti-corrosion materials such as steel to protect and prolong the service life of the transported goods.
Folding Containers (Flat Shelf Containers)
Collapsible containers have collapsible sides. This makes this container the best choice for transporting all kinds of cargo.
Platform container
Flatbed containers are great for odd-sized cargo. These storage units do not have any walls or ceilings. Instead, their floors have high cargo restrictions and no ends or side walls.
Documents required for customs clearance of container cargo
For the import of containerized cargo, different documents need to be presented at the point of entry.
Required documents include:
Customs licenses and other customs documents
packing list
Bill of lading
Invoice etc.
Singapore Customs officers will verify these documents at the checkpoint.
Failure to provide such documents may delay the customs clearance process.
Worse yet, this may increase shipping costs as there will be many taxes, security taxes due to excessive stops at the port of destination.
b) Documents required for regular cargo
The following information will be provided to the customs officer at the checkpoint for verification prior to customs clearance:
commodity
Hard copy of customs license
Other customs supporting documents such as Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, Packing List and Invoice.
For any consignment requiring partial clearance, the same customs permit will be presented throughout the process for continuous endorsement until fully cleared.
It is important to note that partial clearance is not allowed for any merchandise entering through the Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints.
Now, this is where some people go wrong – I don’t want you to be a victim.
Should I choose a freight forwarder in China or Singapore?
When importing from China, it is always best to choose a freight forwarder in China, regardless of the shipping method. China freight forwarders are ideal for overseas shippers because it has language and geographical advantages, and you also need a warehouse for storage and preparation. An experienced Chinese freight forwarder will have the following competencies: Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, a thorough understanding of Chinese business culture, experience in managing Chinese suppliers, experience in category and procurement process, experience in quality control, experience in auditing, and experience in logistics. Local Freight forwarders (from Singapore) often need to contact other forwarders in China to handle picking, preparation, storage and customs clearance.
TJ-chinafreight is your right choice, with more than 20 years of experienced staff adhering to the mission of “”we deliver faster, safer and easier””, to provide customers with high-quality, professional and fast logistics solutions.”
