Shipping from China to Singapore ! ( 2024)
Are you still searching for a shipping company from China to Singapore? Do you need help with the cost and shipping rate to Singapore? Do not worry; everything is going to be OK! DDPCH is a Hero for shipping to Singapore. We offer 4 shipping options: air freight, sea freight, DDP, and express. To find the best solution for your shipment, contact our experts and hand it over to DDPCH.
Introduction
Today, China has become a very significant hub to provide products for different businesses. Annually, many people travel to this country to offer products to their business. Therefore, it is not surprising to see many international and local shipping companies in China transport goods worldwide. Door to door is one of the crucial ways of shipping. It reduces the shipping cost and helps all businessmen and businesswomen handle the high cost of shipping. International trade is a way to expand your business as much as possible, but you should look for shipping once you have made your sale or purchase.
Quick access to products is essential to customer satisfaction, and transportation is an integral part of this process. Therefore, choosing the right transportation method is also very important because choosing the wrong way will impose a lot of costs on you. Have you ever wondered what the benefits of international shipping are and what is the process?
Your shipping choice depends on the type of goods you have and the business requirements you need to invest in them. You need to match your goods’ shipping method to balance service, quality, cost, and time. This article discusses shipping from China to Singapore; in the end, you will have enough information in this field.
Our service for shipping to Iran
We offer air cargo shipping from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai to Tehran.
Our sea cargo connects Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen to Bandar Abbas and Bushehr.
Our DDP service handles shipping and customs clearance from China to Iran by air or sea.
Our express service offers fast, affordable shipping from China to Iran for urgent deliveries.
CONTACT US 24/7
You can contact our sales experts via WhatsApp anytime to get the best shipping rates, or fill out the cost inquiry form, and we will reach out to you.
Table of Contents
Singapore
Singapore is located in the south of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator; it is also the smallest country in Southeast Asia. It is a rich, modern, and unique country and the countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are its neighbors. This beautiful country is one of the most popular destinations for tourists, and it is interesting to know that it is also known as New York in Asia. This beautiful country is one of the best countries in Asia in terms of administrative health, tourism, and modernity, and It has gained worldwide fame.
Shipping from China to Singapore
International shipping from China is a vital challenge for people who order products from this country. Two fundamental ways of shipping from China to Singapore are:
Sea freight
Airfreight
Each way has some conditions that must be considered before shipping. In the rest of this article, we try to offer all vital information about these two shipping methods from China to Singapore.
Sea freight or ocean freight for shipping from China to Singapore
The share of sea freight in the international trade movement is about 90% of the total trade. This amount is about six billion types of goods, about one-third of which are oil goods and one-third of which are dry and bulk goods. And the rest are non-bulk goods. This way includes some conditions that are as the following:
- Goods are cumbersome
- Goods are super large
- Goods are more than 200 kg
- Goods are in bad shape
If your goods meet one of these conditions, sea freight is the best way to ship from China to Singapore.
Globalization has created a smaller world. Its organized members have been interconnected; therefore, each investment in one part of the world can make jobs in a remote country or vice versa. It seems that the provision of efficient services in sea freight is one of the necessary and useful parameters in conducting successful international trade.
Efficient transport will certainly increase international trade, and the parameters affecting such transport are affected by regulations and the rules governing transportation.
Seaports for shipping from China to Singapore
When you want to choose this method for transportation of goods, it is better to know the ports in China and Singapore. They are as the following:
| Chinese Seaports | Ports of Singapore |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | PSA Corporation Limited |
| Hong Kong | PSA Corporation Limited |
| Tianjin | PSA Corporation Limited |
| Shenzhen | PSA Corporation Limited |
| Ningbo | PSA Corporation Limited |
| Guangzhou | PSA Corporation Limited |
| - | Jurong Port |
FCL and LCL in sea freight (Ocean freight) from China to Singapore
One of the most significant matters in sea freight from China is F.C.L. and L.C.L. Therefore, and it is essential to increase knowledge.
Briefly speaking, F.C.L. is the abbreviation for a full container load. It means that the goods occupy a full container. And L.C.L. is the abbreviation for less than container load. In this way, there are different goods in one container.
When the size of goods can occupy one container completely, F.C.L. is the best option, saving money. In this method, the goods are usually more than 20 cubic meters.
Experts believe that F.C.L. is more secure than L.C.L. One container belongs only to one customer, but in L.C.L., one container belongs to different customers! L.C.L. is suitable for these conditions:
- Suitable for start-up
- For beginners
- Carry sample load
- Partial import
F.C.L. usually has a fixed rate per container. But L.C.L. is calculated based on volume per cubic meter. L.C.L. shipping is a cost-effective solution for small shipments because you only have to pay for the volume used. At the same time, it is almost always cheaper than air transport.
If you import large quantities of goods, F.C.L. is a cheaper option because you pay for “per container” instead of “per cubic meter.” F.C.L. is faster than L.C.L., and it requires much less loading and unloading time per dock. As a result, you save time at each stage of the loading and unloading process.
Because only you and the supplier have access to them, the risk of damage to the goods is reduced. One of the biggest reasons we recommend sea freight insurance is that damage to cargo during transit is a real concern. Many importers from China do not understand how many people have to access their goods to move them from one place to another, and accidents can occur. When you transport your cargo using F.C.L., your goods are safer because they are transported in a personal container, unlike unloading and accessing them.
The volume of FCL container
The volume of F.C.L. container is indicated below:
| Specification | 20ft Container | 40ft Container | 40ft High Cube Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Length | 5.89m | 12.01m | 12.01m |
| Inside Width | 2.33m | 2.33m | 2.33m |
| Inside Height | 2.38m | 2.38m | 2.69m |
| Door Width | 2.33m | 2.33m | 2.33m |
| Door Height | 2.28m | 2.28m | 2.28m |
| Capacity | 33.18cbm (28cbm practical) | 67.67cbm (58cbm practical) | 76.23cbm (68cbm practical) |
| Tare Weight | 2,229KG | 3,701KG | 3,968KG |
| Maximum Load | 28,000KG | 28,000KG | 28,000KG |
Types of containers for sea freight from China to Singapore
Containers are among the most widely used and essential products in transporting and moving products inside and outside countries. There are different of them which we try to talk about them in the rest of this article.
The container in terms of dimensions
The dimensions of a container are determined in terms of feet. Containers come in sizes of 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet, the most common of 20-foot and 40-foot containers. Note, however, that 45-foot containers are currently used on shipping lines. Containers have various applications that are used in the sea freight.
- 10-foot container
- 20-foot container
- 40 ft container
- 40 Foot High Cube Container
10-foot container
The 10-foot container has dimensions of 3 x 2.5 meters with a height of 2.60 meters, known as the 3-meter container, a suitable option for warehousing goods.
20-foot container
The 20-foot container has dimensions of 2.5 x 6 meters with a height of 2.60 meters, which is used for storing goods and moving goods.
40-foot container
The 40-foot container has dimensions of 12 x 2.5 with a height of 2.60 meters. This container is the most widely used in the transportation industry compared to other types.
40-foot HIGH CUBE container
High cube container is offered in dimensions of 12 x 2.5 meters with a height of 2.90 meters. The difference between these containers and a container is 40 feet in height, so they are also known as tall containers. This type of container is used to carry high-altitude goods.
The general classification of containers in terms of use
- Dry Good Container (Normal Container)
- Refrigerated container (Reefer Container)
- Open Side Container
- Open Top Container
- Insulate Container
- Ventilated Container
- Heated Container
- Tank Container
- Folding Container (Flatrack Container)
- Platform Container
Containers of dry goods
They are the most widely used and common containers that are used in 20 and 40-foot dimensions.
Refrigerated container
Because this container has a cooling system, it is suitable for transporting food and perishable goods.
Open side container
There are one or more large opening doors on the container’s side, which makes it easier to load.
Open container
As the name implies, this type of container is without a roof and is used to transport dry goods such as sand and beans. They use tarpaulin to cover the top of the container.
Insulated container
The construction of this type of container is made of insulating materials to prevent the conversion of cold into heat or heat entry. It is used to transport medicine and frozen meat, etc.
Ventilated container
It is used to transport cargo that needs proper ventilation to break down. The goods carried with these containers are coffee and beans.
Thermal container
This container has insulation in the walls and ceiling and a heating engine.
Container with tank
For transporting ordinary and dangerous liquids and gases, this type of container is used, the body of which is single-walled or double-walled. In terms of value, they are in the group of costly containers, and their protection is significant because of the dangers that can be noticed to the specific goods inside.
Folding container
Folding containers have very little use and take up small space due to the folding of these containers.
Flat container
This type of container takes the goods on its lower surface and, after restraint, is ready to be transported and moved. It is used for transporting bulky items such as machinery, iron, and steel.
Containers for livestock and animals
It has a valve in the longitudinal or transverse part that changes the air inside the container and provides the possibility of transporting live animals. There are special cleaning valves in the lower part of the container that have accessories such as food and water for feeding animals during trips. It is long-term.
Car transport container
It is used for moving cars over long distances. Due to the world standard’s dimensions, it has a height limit, which according to its length, can carry one for a 20-foot container and a maximum of two for 40-foot containers.
Sea freight costs for shipping from China to Singapore
Sea freight is the most affordable way for shipping from China. High volume of goods can be transported through sea by a suitable price. The cost of sea freight for shipping from China to Singapore in 20ft container is:
| Chinese Seaports | PSA Corporation Limited (USD) | Jurong Port (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 120 USD | 120 USD |
| Hong Kong | 150 USD | 140 USD |
| Tianjin | 170 USD | 160 USD |
| Shenzhen | 130 USD | 140 USD |
| Ningbo | 155 USD | 168 USD |
| Guangzhou | 140 USD | 154 USD |
If you need more information about the cost of each container for sea freight for shipping from China to Singapore, you can contact the DDPCH team. Our advisors are always ready to answer all the information you need!
Advantages of sea freight for shipping from China to Singapore
The benefits of sea freight are:
- Sea freight is cheaper than other methods, and for this reason, owners of goods and commercial companies prefer to transport their goods with open waters; it can be said that most of the trade and transportation is made by sea and open waters.
- Another advantage of this method is that the fare is fixed because large shipping companies set the fare, and it is almost a fixed rate that everyone is required to follow (of course, free ships with the agreement of the owner of the goods and the shipping company determine the rate.)
- Another advantage is the transportation of large volumes of goods by sea freight; relatively heavy cargo up to about 200 to 500 thousand tons can be easily moved by one ship from port to port.
- Another advantage is that the reliability and safety of shipping through sea are high because those who carry the goods must comply with international standards and laws. Buyers and sellers must abide by the Incoterms. This method is almost safe, and Goods and crews are not harmed.
It can be said that the only disadvantage of sea freight is the delivery time, which is longer than air and land transportation!
Sea freight for shipping from China to Singapore, How long?
The average shipping time from China to Singapore are:
| Chinese Seaports | Transit Time to Singapore (Days) |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 10 |
| Hong Kong | 10 |
| Tianjin | 8 |
| Shenzhen | 8 |
| Ningbo | 10 |
| Guangzhou | 8 |
Sea freight for shipping from China to Singapore
Air freight for shipping from China to Singapore
When time has become precious, air transportation has an important place in all countries worldwide. The aviation industry has an essential role in transporting goods from one country to another, making the process of delivering goods easier. The conditions for air freight are:
- Goods are less than 200 kg
- Goods are not very heavy or in a bad shape
If your goods meet these conditions, the air freight is the best option for you!
Airports for air freight from China to Singapore
If you want to choose this way, it is important to know the airports for shipping from China to Singapore. Please pay attention to this matter that there are two airports in some Chinese cities like Shanghai; then, it is better to know from which airports the shipping is operated.
The most crucial pillar of air freight for shipping from China is its speed, which is much faster than sea freight. This method is relatively high, and less damage is done to goods. The most significant disadvantage of this method is its cost and Not all goods can be transported by plane. Air freight is usually used for relatively small and valuable goods, but as we mentioned before, for heavy and bulky goods, land and sea freight are recommended.
The cost of air freight for shipping from China to Singapore
The cost of air freight is more expensive compared to sea freight, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t use this way! The cost of air freight for shipping from China to Singapore are illustrated in the following table:
| Chinese Cities | Changi Airport (USD per Kg) |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | 3 USD |
| Hong Kong | 1.5 USD |
| Shenzhen | 2 USD |
| Tianjin | 1 USD |
| Ningbo | 3 USD |
| Guangzhou | 2.5 USD |
cost of air freight for shipping from China to Singapore
This price is for one kilogram! If you goods are more than 50 kg, a discount will be devoted to you, and it is also true for goods more than 100 kg, 150 kg, 200 kg and so on!
What is express service for shipping from China to Singapore?
Express service is a kind of service offered by different companies to decrease delivery time as soon as possible. In this method, all goods are delivered by airplanes in 1 to 3 business days. It is better to know that the cost of this service is higher than the classic method. Therefore, it is the best way if you are in a hurry, or you want to take your packages in a short time.
Shipping agents in China for shipping from China to Singapore
As we mentioned in the previous section, shipping is a challenging issue! It is a significant question of how to find a reliable shipping agent in China. There are different ways to find a shipping company. One of them is the Alibaba website.
There are many companies advertised on this website. Each of them has written a specific preview, and you can go to the website. However, before asking them to do the goods transportation, it is better to consider some points:
- They must be legally registered.
- They must have a reasonable website; everything must be clearly explained on this website
- It is better to read some customer satisfaction, and if possible, to ask those customers about this company
All these matters will help you to choose the best one for yourself.
International companies for shipping from China to Singapore
After the growth of many online companies in the world, the need for the transportation companies was very high. Many people ordered their products from a website in China, and they want to take them in another country. Therefore, it is not surprising to see many international companies have appeared in China to ask the needs of customers. Nowadays, these companies are very famous that we point to some of them:
- DHL Express
- DB Schencker
- FedEx
- United Parcel Service, Inc.
- Blue Dart Company
- Royal mail
- PostNL
- Purolator
- On Trace Inc.
- TFL International
- Laser ship Inc.
- S.F. Holdings
- ZTO Express ( Cayman)
- Yunda Holdings
- YAMTO Holdings
- B Post SA/NY
- DTDC
- Japan Post Group
They connect many cities to each other in China, and people can use these companies for domestic and international delivery. It is better to know that each of these companies offer many service to their customers. It is better to go to the official website of them and collect reliable information.
Local companies in China for shipping from China to Singapore
Besides international companies, there are some local companies in China. These companies are excellent for shipping from China. Many suppliers prefer local companies for shipping. One of the most critical factors is that these companies know the Chinese language very well, which is a very significant issue!
Besides, China is a big country, and every section of it has some specific rules. Local companies know these rules very well, and it helps them do shipping easier than any other company. Although these companies are not very well known, they offer many excellent services to customers. One of the critical services provided by these companies is the low price. Averagely, these companies offer the lowest price compared to other companies. Therefore, you can go to the official website of these companies and collect reliable information.
Customs Clearance for shipping from China to Singapore
Customs clearance is a very significant process in shipping from China to Singapore. Every organization in each country has some specific rules that it is necessary to know to import the goods easily. For shipping from China to Singapore, these documents must be delivered to the freight forwarder:
- Bill of Landing
- Letter of Credit
- Licenses and Certificates ( if it is needed)
- A commercial invoice
If you want to ship from China to Singapore, all imported goods are under the Customs Act, the Goods and Service Tax (GST). Taxes of all imported goods are distinguished based on the GST rules. Besides, a customs permit is required for importing goods to Singapore.
One of the most important documents that a customer has to prepare for international transportation to Singapore is the Invoice and Packing List. The law of preparation of these documents is the responsibility of the seller of goods, the seller must provide information such as type, nature of goods, numbers, dimensions, customs tariff codes, value of each item of goods and total value of goods in the form of Invoice and Packing List to issue an export license to customs. Besides, the seller is required to seal these documents and have them signed by an authorized person in his company. It ensures the accuracy of the information entered in the invoice and the billing list (invoice and packing list).
As it is necessary for the seller of goods to complete the export customs formalities, the shopping list, and the billing list (invoice and packing list) to the customs of the exporting country, the buyer must also provide these documents to the customs of the country when the goods are cleared at the destination. The importer must provide, and the importance of preparing and arranging these documents wholly and correctly is determined.
As it is necessary for the seller of goods to complete the export customs formalities, the shopping list, and the billing list (invoice and packing list) to the customs of the exporting country (China), the buyer must also provide these documents to the customs of the country (Singapore) when the goods are cleared at the destination. The importer must provide, and the importance of preparing and arranging these documents wholly and correctly is determined.
What is proforma invoice?
Proforma Invoice is a kind of pre-contract which, although it has no formal aspect, its terms are unchangeable and the seller and the buyer are obliged to implement its provisions after approval. Pre-invoice is the offer to sell the product which is issued by the seller (exporter) after making initial agreements for the buyer (importer). Check the destination and obtain possible permits for clearance and import of cargo.
A pre-invoice such as (invoice and packing list) must be issued on the letterhead of the seller company and signed and stamped by an authorized person in the company. It must also contain the following information.
- Full details of the seller.
- Full details of the buyer.
- Date and pre-invoice number.
- Validity period of the offer.
- Full specifications of the product.
- Weight, number, dimensions of the product by mentioning the unit of measurement.
- Customs Tariff Code (HS Code).
- The price of each product unit and the total amount payable based on the number of orders along with mentioning the currency unit.
- Determining the conditions of transportation and delivery of goods based on international trade terms (Incoterms)
- Determining the means of transportation and the type of packaging
- Determining the terms of payment by the buyer, both in terms of time planning and in terms of how to transfer money.
What is invoice list for shipping from China to Singapore?
An invoice is a purchase or invoice for a document issued by the seller or exporter in exchange for goods or services. This document indicates the buyer’s amount to pay to the seller in exchange for receiving a certain amount of goods or services. This document is only between the two parties, now in some cases this invoice is issued in the name of individuals.
Vendors are not required to follow a specific pattern for preparing an invoice. They can design the structure depending on their organization’s taste and policy, but items in this structure must be clearly and completely stated.
How to fill an invoice list for shipping?
The invoice list has a section named sender or seller. Sender or seller means a company that has made or supplied goods or services for sale to the buyer. In this row, the company’s full name, postal address, and telephone number of the seller company must be stated. Other parts of invoice list are as the following:
- Recipient or buyer: The company that has purchased the goods or services from the seller company, and here it is necessary to indicate the full name of the company, postal address, and telephone number of the seller company.
- Invoice date: In this row, the date of issuance of the trade list must be specified.
- Invoice number: The business list must have a specific number (serial number) listed in this clause.
- Row of goods and services provided.
- A specific description of the goods and services provided.
- If we prepare a trade list for the goods that we intend to export, enter the Customs Tariff Code (HS Code) to observe international trade principles in the purchase list.
- Number of products (goods or services)
- The unit price of the product (goods or services)
- The total price of the product (goods or services)
We must note that it is necessary to specify the currency unit in preparing the business list. The business list and billing list (invoice and packing list) must also be ready on the sender’s letterhead and must be signed and sealed by an authorized person in the company. The structure below can be used as a standard example to prepare a business inventory.
What is a packing list?
The packing list is a document list that is used as a trade list to perform customs formalities for export and import at the customs of origin and destination. Also, this document can be useful for the use of the shipping company. The packing list shows what items the export shipment contains and the number of packages, package dimensions, net product weight and gross package weight.
How long does customs clearance take in Singapore?
Normally, customs clearance in Singapore 3 to 5 business days. If the documents are complete and clear, and there is not any problems in them, three to five days are usual times. But if there are some problems in the document, the customer is forced to solve the problems, and it may take a longer time.
Prohibited items to import to Singapore
Some items are prohibited for importing to Singapore, and they are as the following:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Animal products and
- Animal Skins
- Books
- Bunker oil sample
- Chewing gum
- Cigarette
- Coal and firewood
- Communications equipment
- Compact disk
- Psychotropic substances
- Cosmetics
- Cotton seeds
- Drugs
- Electronic cigarettes
- Electronic games
- Films (entertainment, promotional and training)
- Food
- Laser disc
- Magazine
- Medical samples
- News paper
- Oil products
- Radar equipment
- Treasonable materials
- Tapes and video cassettes
- Toys
- Telecommunications equipment
All these goods are subject to be approved by Singapore customs clearance, and they need “Manufacture Number” by the Economic Development Board.
Manufacture Number is a manufactured and alphanumeric value, utilized to identify a product among other products from the same manufacturer.
For more information, you can go to the Singapore customs clearance site to collect more reliable information for specific goods that you have!
What is door to door service for shipping from China to Singapore?
Door to door is a unique service which is offered by shipping company. In this service, all the customer must do is to go to the company and concludes a contract by the freight forwarder and pay the fee. All responsibilities are by freight forwarder, from taking the goods from the warehouse in China to deliver them in preferred destination in Singapore.
As concluding, a specific number is given to the customer. The customer can go to the site of the company and enter the number. All information will be appeared in the website of the company, and the customer can see the goods are in which steps!
DDPCH
Dear customers
If you need an impressive rate and competitive offer for Door to Door Rail and Trucking service from China to European countries, please contact our Sale Team.
How long does it take for shipping from China to Singapore?
it depends on the way of transportation. by sea freight, it takes 20 to 30 days, by air freight, it takes 4 to 8 days.
What is the cheapest way for shipping from China?
it depends on the weight and volume of the goods. generally sea freight is the cheapest way for shipping from China.
How long does the customs clearance take in Singapore.
if all documents are prepared, and there is no problem in them, it takes 3 to 5 days.
Any questions find here
You can ask us any questions about shipping from China!
There are primarily three methods: air freight, sea freight, and express courier services (like DHL, FedEx, etc.).
Air freight usually takes around 3-5 days. Sea freight could take from 10 to 20 days, depending on the specific circumstances. Express courier services usually promise delivery within 1-3 days.
Yes, each country has its list of prohibited and restricted items. It’s always recommended to check with the respective customs department or your shipping company.
It depends on your needs. Air freight is faster but more expensive. Sea freight is slower but usually cheaper, and it’s better for large shipments.
FCL (Full Container Load) refers to when a single party books the entire container for its goods. LCL (Less than Container Load) refers to when multiple parties share space in the same container for their goods. FCL is typically faster and less likely to result in damaged goods, but it can be more expensive unless you have enough goods to fill the container.
A freight forwarder acts as an intermediary between a shipper and various transportation services. They negotiate the best possible price to move the goods along the most economical route by working out various bids and choosing the one that best balances speed, cost, and reliability.
Factors include the shipping method, the size and weight of the package, the value of the goods, the type of goods, and the speed of delivery.
It depends on the specific food item. Some food items may be subject to restrictions or may require additional documentation. It’s best to check with the respective customs departments.
Limits may apply depending on the shipping method. For example, courier services usually have restrictions on size and weight, but sea freight and air freight can handle larger loads.
Standard documents such as the commercial invoice and the packing list are usually required. Some items may need additional documents.
Ship from China now!
Contact us today & get the best shipping rate from China! 📦🚀
