Shipping from China to Singapore

How Long does it Take When Shipping from China to Singapore ( By Sea)

Port of Loading	Port of Arrive	Transmit Time(days)
Shanghai	Singapore	7
Shenzhen	Singapore	4
Ningbo	Singapore	9
Qingdao	Singapore	9
Tianjin	Singapore	13
Xiamen	Singapore	6

Shipping from China to Singapore: The Definitive Guide

Do you know importing goods from China to sell in Singapore is a booming business?

Yes, it’s a good stuff and easy way to make money.

But, how can you ship from China to Singapore?

I mean choosing the right freight forwarder, mode of shipping, port of destination or even calculate Singapore import duties.

Well, this is where the challenge begins and you’re not alone here.

The good news.

I am going to unlock all these challenges right now – explain everything you need to know about shipping from China to Singapore.

Chapter 1: JMS Forward Freight Services to Singapore

Are you looking for a reliable freight forwarder from China to Singapore?

Well, need look no further!

JMS is here to solve all your shipping needs.

It doesn’t matter whether you want sea freight from China to Singapore, air freight from China to Singapore or door to door shipping from China to Singapore

At JMS, we ensure you get your goods from any city in China to your local town in Singapore.

I tell you what?

This is an opportunity you can’t just miss to boost your import business.

But, that’s not all.

Even when you want:

• FCL shipping from China to Singapore
• LCL shipping from China to Singapore
• Pickup and delivery
• Warehousing and distribution
• Cargo insurance
• Customs clearance
• Cargo supervision, or
• Express services

JMS will tailor everything to suit your unique shipping needs.

And still, we don’t end here.

Can you imagine JMS has just made bulk cargo sea freight shipping from China to Singapore even easier, simpler and cheaper?

And even when you think of OOG (Out of Guage) Sea Freight Shipping from China to Singapore or Roll-On Roll-Off Sea Freight Shipping from China to Singapore; JMS is here for you.

You see – we all want that freight forwarder in China that offers a range of services.

And, that’s exactly what JMS does!

JMS China

I tell you what?

This is the one place where you have the opportunity to access services for all your shipping from China to Singapore needs.

JMS is a caring freight logistics partner – one who makes your shipping from China to Singapore more profitable.

Even when you need more days to store your goods in China.

JMS offers FREE warehousing for 20 to 30 days.

Worry no more when your goods arrive in Singapore about the container usage.

You can use our container for 28 days.

Please, do me, yourself and everyone else a favor and speak the truth:

Is there any freight forwarder in China with such offers?

And, don’t stop here.

Below is a shipping from China to Singapore guide I promised you earlier.

Let’s get to it:

Chapter 2: How to Ship from China to Singapore

Are you shipping from China to Singapore?

Well, you have two options to choose from – sea freight or air freight.

I will discuss every detail of the two shipping processed shortly, keep reading.

Ocean freight and air freight from China to Singapore

Depending on the time and the nature of the good, the mode is chosen accordingly.

Apart from just the transportation, the logistical work is always carried out to facilitate the consignment movement.

Such include clearance and other paperwork.

On arrival at the destination port, JMS ensures that the product is delivered to the doorstep of the customer.

2.1. Air Freight from China to Singapore

Air Freight has a number of advantages compared to the sea/ocean freight.

Some of the benefits include:

• Faster deliveries since the freight companies have partners who can transverse the shortest routes. It takes a shorter time than the ocean freight.
• Cost-effectiveness since only one point of contact (air freight broker) will wrap all the logistics for you and this saves time and money. Note: But not for all goods you’re shipping from China to Singapore
• Safety as a priority due to the insurance given to all the goods on board to reduce the risks and easy tracking.

Singapore has so many airports, but only two are more reliable and are used by the public.

They include Seletar Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.

· Seletar Airport

It is managed by Changi airport group.

Located in the northern part of Singapore and is basically civilian airport.

Seletar Airport – Photo Courtesy of Mother Ship

Some of the airlines using this airport include Airmark Aviation and East Indo.

About 80% of the flights are dominated by the flying training schools.

· Singapore Changi Airport

It is a civilian airport and one of the biggest transportation hub in Southern Asia.

Most cargo goods are destined to this airport before departure to the respective inland destinations.

Singapore Changi Airport – Photo Courtesy of Air Cargo News

Skytrax has rated it the best airport six times since 2013 and hence the busiest ever on both passenger and cargo.

Some of the reliable airlines using this airport include:

                                   i. Air China

                                  ii. Cathay Pacific

                                 iii. China Eastern Airlines

                                  iv. China Southern Airlines

                                   v. EVA Air

                                 vi. Hebei Airlines

                                vii. Scoot

                               viii. Singapore Airlines

                                  ix. West Air

                                   x. Xiamen Air

                                  xi. Spring Airlines

                                xii. Sichuan Airlines

                               xiii. Shenzhen Airlines

                                xiv. Jetstar Asia Airways.

All these airlines have a well-established tracking system that ensures the customer gets on timely information about the cargo details.

The remaining airports are used as military bases and for training purposes.

Only PayaLebar Airport is a military base airport which is open for passenger and cargo usage in some cases.

Other airports used as military bases and for training include:

                                       i. Changi Air Base (West)

                                      ii. Sembawang Air Base (helicopter base)

                                     iii. Tengah Air Base

                                      iv. Changi Air Base (East)

In short, whenever you’re planning for an airfreight from China to Singapore, you can consider using any of the above airlines.

Besides, you can ship to Seletar Airport or Singapore Changi Airport, then opt for road transport.

And by the way, in case you want to learn more about this mode of shipping, I have a comprehensive guide for you – Air Freight Shipping from China: The Complete Guide.

2.2. Sea Freight from China to Singapore

Alternatively, you may use ocean freight when shipping from China to Singapore.

In most cases, the shortest route is through the South China Sea.

Shipping from China to Singapore

Now, what happens in ocean freight from China to Singapore?

All the cargo is put into the shipping container or can be placed into the shipping vessel directly.

A freight forwarder will organize for all the logistics on your behalf.

This is to ensure your goods/commodity arrives at the destination port safely.

Normally, the freight forwarder will handle all the documentation and paperwork done smoothly.

Of course, this will also include an advice on custom laws and regulations.

I will discuss more on custom laws and regulations later in this guide.

Keep reading to be an expert on Singapore custom laws.

Whenever you’re shipping from China to Singapore, a freight forwarder can load your container from any of the following ports in China:

• Fang Chenggang
• Haikou,Basuo
• Dalian
• Zhenjiang
• Jiangyin
• Qinhuangdao
• Tianjin
• Yantai
• Weihai
• Qingdao
• Rizhao
• Lianyungang
• Zhoushan
• Nantong
• Nanjing
• Shanghai
• Ningbo
• Taizhou (North of Wenzhou)
• Wenzhou
• Changle
• Quanzhou
• Xiamen
• Shantou
• Jieyang
• Guangzhou
• Zhuhai,Shenzhen
• Zhanjiang
• Beihai
• Sanya
• Yingkou
• Jinzhou
• Taizhou (South of Wenzhou).

Voila!

There are many sea port in China.

But, here is the secret.

The longer the distance, the higher the sea freight cost (and vice versa).

So what do I mean here?

Choose a sea port in China with the shortest distance to a sea port in Singapore.

But, how do you do that?

This website – Ports.com is effective when it comes to this.

You see this example?

Distance from seaport in China to Singapore

Now, that aside.

Getting your goods from the supplier to the port takes some time depending on the distance.

The mode of transportation at that time is via road or rail.

Once the product reaches the departure port, all the logistics are done ready for shipping from China to Singapore.

Depending on the location of the ports in China, the consignment arrival dates in Singapore will vary due to difference in distances.

The port distances, therefore determine the number of days the consignment takes in the sea/ocean.

Some of the ports in China with the shipment distances and duration include:

Seaport in China	Seaport in Singapore	Estimate time (days)	Estimated distance (nm)
Port of Shanghai	Port of Singapore	12	2,692
Port of Qinhuangdao	Port of Singapore	14	3,405
Port of Zhanjiang	Port of Singapore	7	1,613
Port of Yingkou (Ying kou)	Port of Singapore	15	3,442

 

Can you see what I was talking about up there?

Well, these are just a few examples.

Still, let me make one point clear here.

In Singapore, there are two main commercial port operators which include Jurong port and PSA Corporations Ltd.

These ports can handle all vessel types.

The port of Singapore has different terminals which include the terminals at:

• TanjongPagar
• PasirPanjang
• Sembawang
• Brani
• Jurong
• Sembawang

Port of Singapore

 Every port may have their own challenges, but mostly they are taken care of by the specific carrier.

Delays due to weather may sometimes occur and attract other charges.

To ensure your product reaches safe to Singapore, it is important to choose a well-known carrier service.

Some other carriers will delay the whole process owing to lack of experience.

The carriers mostly preferred in China to Singapore shipping may include:

• MSK
• COSCO
• YML
• WHL
• NYK, just to mention a few.

They offer reliable ocean freight from China to Singapore.

In short, I want you to note the following when it comes to ocean freight from China to Singapore.

                           i. Let your goods reach the port of origin in China

                          ii. Do all the paperwork (JMS will handle all these for you)

                         iii. Choose the port or terminal of destination in Singapore

                          iv. Choose a reliable shipping company

                           v. Clear the goods in China

                          vi. Load the container into a ship

                         vii. Offloading and clearing the container in Singapore

Isn’t this a simple process?

Well, JMS will make it even simpler for you – Simply wait for your goods in a local town or door step.

Again here, I have another comprehensive guide for you: Sea Freight Shipping from China: The Definitive Guide.

Now, let’s get to another serious part of shipping from China to Singapore.

Chapter 3: A Complete Guide to Singapore Import Customs

Singapore as a country has a stable economy and has a good trade relationship with China.

They import most commodities from China into their country owing to the Chinese technology which is thriving.

Singapore and China Bilateral Trade

 As well, some commodities are also exported to China from Singapore.

Let me tell you one truth today:

Before anyone imports from China, it is important to be well versed with the import customs and other important information required for a better trade relationship.

Like I said earlier, JMS will brief on all these.

But still, it is important to know exactly what to expect.

That’s why I have this chapter for you.

Basically, before you import from China to Singapore, you must consider:

• Type of goods prohibited for import in Singapore
• Customs clearance procedure
• Importation documents
• Taxation procedures
• Costs due to import clearance, etc.

And, I will not lie to you about this:

It is mandatory to declare to Singapore customs before importing any good into Singapore.

This is necessary since there is Goods and Services Tax (GST) payable for any non-dutiable goods imported which is applicable for only local consumption.

Any commodity imported to Singapore has a stiff regulation under:

• Regulation of Imports and Exports Act
• Customs Act
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.

But, that’s not all.

To account for tax payment and import of goods, a custom permit is required.

The goods being imported to Singapore are therefore subjected to duty payment and/GST.

GST

Most goods which incur both GST and duty considered as dutiable goods include;

• Petroleum products
• Intoxicating liquors
• Motor vehicles
• Tobacco products.

All other goods will attract only GST.

Before importing and subsequently shipping from China to Singapore, you need to know whether you’ll pay duty for the product or commodity.

In fact, you should note the following three scenarios:

                         i. When goods remain within Free Trade Zone, duty and /GST are suspended

                         ii. When goods are released directly for local circulation, duty/GST are payable

                        iii. When goods are moved into customs licensed premises from a free trade zone, there will be a suspension of duty/GST since they are in licensed premises.

Commodities granted duty exemption or GST relief do not attract duty/or GST.

There are also some goods granted temporary import schemes from the Singapore’s customs.

They do not attract such duty or GST relief.

Such Schemes include:

• Import GST Deferment Scheme (IGDS)
• Major Exporter Scheme (MES)
• Approved Import GST Suspension Scheme (AISS)

Don’t worry about all these, our JMS custom clearance team will explain everything you need to know about these.

Anyway, let’s come back to even a more important subject when it comes to Singapore import customs duties.

3.1. Clearance and Authorization to Import Products from China to Singapore

To obtain relevant permits and authorization for the controlled goods, you have to:

· Register to obtain Unique Entity Number (UEN) and then activate the account for the customs.

This is just an entity which ensures that there is an engagement in imports and export activities in Singapore.

Ensures also that the export and import shipment certificates and permits are done.

Start by registering with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).

Or, register with the agency for Unique Entity Number (UEN) in order to get UEN.

Then, activate Customs Account.

· Check if your commodities are also under the list of controlled goods

Some goods are restricted by the Competent Authorities in Singapore and have regulations attached to them.

These goods could be checked directly from the Competent Authorities on their stipulated licensing requirement.

Alternatively, you can search for their descriptions or codes such as Competent Authority product code and Harmonized System code.

Importing these goods blindly may end up on the importer getting disappointed. Check out this information: Controlled or Prohibited Goods by Singapore Customs.

· Create an account with the Inter-Bank Giro

This can be maintained by the declaring agent on behalf of the importer.

This is important for paying of the taxes, duties, penalties, fees and other charges.

Normally, the Singapore customs indicate this depending on the status of the imported good.

This payment will be made directly from your bank account to the Singapore customs.

It is important to maintain your IBM with Singapore Customs to avoid the duty and the GST being deducted from the declaring agent’s account IBG account.

· Declaration of the transaction Security

Finance Company Guarantee, Banker’s Guarantee or an Insurance Bond will be used to declare the transaction security.

This involves a temporary import of goods for authorization purposes, dutiable goods and for running of the licensed premises such as warehouses.

· Application for Custom Import Permit

The procedure has two scenarios,

• One can appoint a declaring agent to apply for customs permit on their behalf
• Register as a declaring agent and obtain a Trade Net user ID via application and apply for customs permit by self or on behalf of the client.

It is important to note that all the permit applications are submitted viaTradeNet which can be accessed via government front end module or TradeNet front-end software obtainable from approved software vendor.

· Process cargo clearance documents

Every permit approved is given within the validity period.

Before clearance is initiated, one has to ensure that the permit is valid for that given duration.

Cargo clearance

When planning to clear some goods such as those packed in a container, one has to produce shipper seal number and container number when applying for the permit.

If the permit use is not valid, there will be a lot of technicalities during clearing.

This may prompt over staying of the consignment which attracts a lot of other charges.

a) Documentation required for Container cargo clearance

For importation of the containerized cargo, one is required to produce different documents at the entry point.

The documents needed include:

• Customs permit and other supporting custom’s documents
• Packing list
• Bill of Lading
• Invoice etc.

Customs officers in Singapore will verify these documents at the check point.

Failure to produce such documentations may delay the clearance process.

Worse still, this may add on to the cost of shipment as many levies will be incurred i.e security levy due to over staying at the port of destination.

b) Documentation required for conventional cargo

The following will be presented to the check point custom officers for verification before clearance:

• Goods
• Hard copy of the customs permit
• Other customs supporting documents such as the Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, packing list and invoice.

For any consignment requiring partial clearance, the same custom permit issued will be presented throughout for consecutive endorsements until it is fully cleared.

It is important to note that no partial clearance is allowed for any commodity which comes in through Tuas and Woodlands check points.

Now, this is where some people go wrong – I don’t want you to be a victim.

It is important to retain the documents used during buying and clearance exercise.

This can be either in soft copy or hard copy as they may be required by the Singapore’s customs office any time.

At least you can keep them safe for a period of 5 years without disposing any of them.

This is also used as security to verify the content imported.

At times, Singapore customs officials may require some of these documents later.

Singapore Customs

3.2 Singapore Prohibited and Controlled Goods for Import

Before making any attempt to import any product, it is also important to be aware of the nature of different commodities which can be allowed in Singapore.

Some products may be totally prohibited while others are controlled.

I had mentioned this earlier, you remember?

Also, it is necessary to know how to identify the product safety requirement.

By importing such products, you may end up wasting your money.

And, I don’t want you to learn through the hard way.

a) The prohibited goods

The prohibited goods are those goods not required completely into the country, hence not allowed for import.

 List of controlled and prohibited goods for import in Singapore

They include: chewing gums except for approved chewing gums for medicinal purposes, cigarette lighters which are pistol or revolver shaped, fire crackers, any element of rhinoceros horns, endangered species of wild life and their product, some telecommunication equipments highlighted as prohibited, chewing tobacco and tobacco products, treasonable and seditious products, any nicotine element, nasals and oral stuffs ,reproduced copyright materials , drugs falling under 4^th Schedule of Misuse of Drugs Regulation of Singapore identified as prohibited among others.

b) Controlled goods

Controlled goods are those commodities which require the attention of the competent authorities before being shipped into the country.

They therefore need a license or certificate before an approval is made for them to be imported into the country.

Some of the goods include: Animals, birds and products thereof, Articles of asbestos, Amusement machines, coin or disc-operated, including pin-tables, shooting galleries & cinematograph machines, Articles of clothing intended as protection against attack, including bullet-proof vests, Cartridges/cassettes/audio compact diskettes – pre-recorded, Batteries (primary), alkaline, zinc-carbon and mercury oxide, Some chemicals unless approved by the competent authority, Chlorofluorocarbons, fuel, minerals, Fishes and fishery products, Flammable materials, Irradiating apparatus, Human pathogens among others.

These products may not just be imported by everyone and hence it is important to equip yourself with their current status into the country.

3.3. Product Good Safety Requirement (PGSR) when importing from China to Singapore

The Singaporeans are protected from unsafe products by the Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board of Singapore (SPRING).

SPRING

Singapore has not yet set their own safety standards but uses both the USA and European Union standards.

Products such as Watches, Children’s Products, Clothing and textile, Furniture and beddings, Toys among others are those that are covered by more than one Consumer Goods Safety Requirement (CGSR).

Any unsafe product is easily halted by the SPRING on realization to help protect the customers.

Commodities falling within the Consumer Goods Safety Requirement must conform to the international standard.

Of course, as spelt out in the United States, European Union or International product regulations.

a). Importer Verification of the Consumer Goods Safety Standard Compliance

The following are the steps needed to import the right good into Singapore:

                                  i. Get the right standard of the product

Although Singapore has not set its own product safety standards, it has a list of the international standards to be met when importing from China.

They are available in the CGSR booklet, where you can access this information easily.

This ensures smooth transaction during clearance and prevents a lot of losses.

                                 ii. Getting the right manufacturer/supplier

Ensure you get the manufacturer or supplier who can give the exact standard of the product needed.

Research for the different suppliers and compare their experience.

Give them the specific standards and only deal with the one who can provide your requirement and has positive reputation.

Be aware of the counterfeit products under “non-existing” manufacturers using other manufactures trade names.

                                 iii. Compliance test of the product

Every product must have passed the compliance test from reputable companies such as the Bureau Veritas and SGS.

These test compliances are approved as the international standards.

On the products, the compliance symbols will always be indicated.

                                  iv. Electrical Consumer Goods

The products of this nature must have the IEC international standards or the European Union EN standards.

SPRING has a list of all the home electronic standards which are allowed into the country.

In Singapore, it is also mandatory that those who import electronics ensure the power plugs have safety marks on them.

All power plugs must have the registration number present in the safety mark as registered with the SPRING.

Without these safety marks, no such goods will be cleared by the Singapore Authority.

3.4 Customs Value

In Singapore, the calculation of the import duties and any other tax is pegged on the customs value.

The custom value is therefore equals to CIF which encompasses the product Cost, Insurance cost and the Freight cost.

Custom value

Normally, custom value as calculated in Singapore include:

a) Import Duties

Most products received at the port in Singapore are subjected to import duties.

The import duty is calculated based on custom value.

The given percentage is levied on the total custom value to get the exact cost.

This percentage is provided by the customs department of Singapore.

b) Product value/cost

This includes transit cost from China to the Singapore port and the insurance for the transportation.

The handling charges of the product will also be factored in to give the total product value.

Other valuation methods which may be included for other specific commodities are available on the official Singapore Customs website.

Sound complicated?

Don’t worry, JMS is here to handle all your shipping from China to Singapore needs.

Chapter 4: Main Singapore Imports from China

I know you want to make profits by importing from China.

Of course, this is for business owners.

Alternatively, you may wish to import simply because the product is not available in Singapore.

And, even if it is available there is a better deal in Singapore.

NYK Line shipping to Singapore

Whichever the case, the truth is:

Before importation of the products from China to Singapore, you need to know the availability of the products.

And, as I indicated in chapter 3, there are products that are prohibited or controlled by the customs authorities in Singapore.

So, even as you import, this should be your first priority.

Some of the main products you can import from China to Singapore include:

• Electronics from Shenzen
• Construction machinery in Shanghai
• Medical equipments in TsimShaTsui
• Hong Kong, metals such as aluminum in Beijing
• Iron and steel in Anhui and Shanxi
• Copper in Linfen, Yuncheng,Shanxi
• Organic chemicals from Chengdu Shi, Sichuan Sheng
• Plastics from Guangzhou, HuairouQu, Wan Chai
• Furniture from Heze Shi, Foshan Shi and Wanchai, Guanxi
• Machine spares from Suzhou Shi,Shanxi
• Paper products from Sichuan, Chongqing
• Clothing from China town, Tianjin
• Automobiles fromGuangzhou,Changping, Beijing
• Shoes, hats and hand bags from Dongguan Shi, Wulanchabu Shi,Dezhou Shi
• Children clothing in TsimShaTsui

Did you see that?

The Chinese manufacturing industry is such that, you can find similar products within a specific region.

So, just visit these towns to get any product of your choice.

This is one thing that makes importing from China to Singapore easier.

Finding product is simple and easy.

And here is a good article on finding best Chinese sourcing agents.

By the way, they are helpful when importing products from China.

Chapter 5: Shipping Modes from China to Singapore

When shipping from China to Singapore, there are different ways you can package the consignment.

First, it will depend on your unique packaging needs.

Second, it will depend on how a freight forwarder will load the cargo in the container.

Loading a container ready for shipping

And, as I had indicated earlier, shipping from China to Singapore is mainly through air freight or ocean freight.

Also, I am sure you’re aware that:

                                 i. Sea/Ocean shipment method is relatively cheap compared to the air freight and hence majority of goods are transported via sea/ocean.

                                ii. Ocean/sea freight takes longer time compared to the air freight and hence the reason of difference in the costs.

The bottom line:

Whenever you’re shipping from China to Singapore, you may choose from different options.

And, that is exactly what I am going to discuss in this section.

In summary, some of the different options you may consider include:

• Roll-on/Roll –off (Ro-Ro) shipping from China to Singapore
• Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping from China to Singapore
• Full Container Load (FCL) shipping from China to Singapore

As you will shortly, these options give you the freedom to ship from China to Singapore.

Now, let’s have a quick overview of these shipping options in details.

· LCL Shipping from China to Singapore

LCL is used in the situation whereby a customer has less commodities to import and he has to share the same container with others having less quantities of goods.

The commodities will be consolidated into a single container and shipped to Singapore.

The shipping cost is therefore shared among all those who are shipping their goods in the same container.

The cost per individual is a ratio of the individual space (volume in cubic meters) covered in the container.

You see that?

So basically, even if you want to import fewer goods from China from China to Singapore, there is a solution for you.

In fact, it is one of the cheapest means of shipment when an individual is shipping very small quantities of commodities to his own country.

It is only hit with timeline challenges such as; the long duration it takes to clear individual consignments at the port of destination.

Also, it may take a relatively long time to consolidate goods.

Again, it is important to choose a freight forwarder with years of experience in packing and loading goods in LCL shipping.

This will prevent possible damage of goods from different clients when in the same container.

· FCL Shipping from China to Singapore

FCL is applicable where the container is full with commodities of an individual and can be tracked as an individual entity.

FCL is safer than LCL since not many cargos are mixed inside the container.

FCL shipment is very easy to track since the booking number/container number can be used to estimate the shipping duration once the consignment departs.

The shipment using FCL is charged on a flat rate as compared to LCL where there is cost a levied on individual package in the container.

These shipment methods use 3 common types of containers namely 20 feet, 40 feet and 40 feet high cube container.

The maximum load required for all these containers is 28 tones.

There are different ways in which FCL and LCL are handled both at the port of departure and at the final destination port.

Let me show you how:

· Handling FCL Container vs. LCL Container

Handling of FCL is less tedious since loading and sealing of the container is done by the supplier and shipped to the destination port.

At the port of destination in Singapore, you can transport the container without necessarily opening it.

On the hand, LCL involves a lot of handling at the departure port where different goods are consolidated.

At the same time, at the port of destination in Singapore, you must segregate the individual packages.

· Bill of Lading

In FCL, the bill of lading is issued by the freight forwarder while in FCL, the official shipping line issues the bill of lading directly.

· Shipping Cost

Charges for FCL are less compared to LCL.

The charge difference is as a result of the high handling fees both at the departure port and at the destination port.

The agents handle different LCLs in one container which increases the workload, ensuring the charges go high.

Like I said, for FCL, the cargo will be cleared and handed over to the owner.

On the other hand, for LCL, you have to segregate the items.

· Marking LCL Container

Every good in the Less Container Load (LCL) must have a shipping mark to differentiate it from other shippers.

This mark should meet the following criteria:

• Be in in English and also possibly in the language of the destination port
• Written in bold, black and with waterproof paint that cannot erase easily.
• For those cargo carrying dangerous materials/substances, orange or red color is used.

· RO-RO Shipping from China to Singapore

Another shipping method used to ship from China to Singapore is known as Roll-on/ Roll-off method of shipping (Ro Ro).

These are simply the vessels specifically designed to transport wheeled cargo such vehicles, tractors, trailers and even assembled fork lifts among others.

They are usually driven on and off the ship on their wheels.

Ro/Ro is frequently used when importing vehicles and therefore the vehicle must be in a working condition .

Although a container can be used to transport the machines which can be driven and has wheels, Roll-on/Roll-off is cheaper than using a container.

Ro/Ro shipping doesn’t allow shipment of personal belonging alongside the car while the car accessories, such as spare tyres are allowed.

Also, the contrast is that furniture can be packed alongside the vehicle for shipment if there is any space.

Ro/Ro shipment stands to be the best alternative since it gives a guarantee to the departure and arrival date which is never the case with the container shipping.

Normally, Ro/Ro is chosen is the vehicle to be shipped is needed faster, it is in working condition and no personal items are to be shipped with the vehicle.

Now, back to one fundamental question – what is the cost of shipping from China to Singapore?

5.1 Cost of Shipping from China to Singapore

Shipping cost of any commodity via air or sea may vary significantly since it is affected by so many factors.

Take for example these possible scenarios:

• Products come in different sizes
• Good you are importing from China are destined to different towns in Singapore

From this alone, you can see there are so many variable that determine the cost of shipping.

Also, at every port, there are terminal handling charges levied depending on the type of commodity being handled.

Anyway, let’s go right to the main factors that may affect the cost of shipping from China to Singapore:

Factors affecting ocean/sea freight from China to Singapore

There are many factors that affect the cost of ocean freight from China to Singapore.

This can be either directly or indirectly.

However, for the scope of this section, I will focus on the main ones:

Sea freight shipping

  i. The capacity of the container to be shipped

A shipper pays for the cost levied on a container as full and therefore it is upon him/her to ensure that the goods are fully packed.

Therefore, the shipper should consolidate small consignments to ensure the container is full.

 ii. Season

The shipment rate depends on the season, for example, during Chinese New Year; the shipping rate will be high compared to other off peak days.

Flower, grains and fruits are also transported during some times of the year during those periods, the shipping rate is very high.

When you have the knowledge of both the low season and high season, he/she can decide the best time to do the shipping.

iii. Currency exchange rate

The common denomination used mostly in international transaction is the dollar.

The instability of the dollar will vastly affect the shipping rate everywhere.

The prevailing exchange rate is used as the day’s shipment rate basis.

iv.  Capacity of the Bunker

When the fuel price changes, the shipping rate will also change since the effect is factored into the shipping rate.

The vessels use fuel to transport the cargo and hence if fuel becomes expensive, the shipping rate also increases and vice versa.

 v. Port of Destination

Distance and time the consignment takes in the sea/ocean determines how much will be paid.

The longer the distance the more time the consignment will take, hence an expensive rate.

I had explained this when discussing various seaports in China and Singapore.

 vi. Handling fee at the terminals

These are the charges levied due to handling of the cargo both at the departure port and destination port.

Depending on the type of commodity being handled, different specialized personnel will be used.

Loading at Port of Shanghai

Very fragile consignment will be handled differently from the general cargo.

These charges will cover the cost of loading and unloading of the container at the respective ports.

 vii. Service charges at the port

When the consignment reaches the port, other charges might be incurred which can add up to the total importation cost.

The security levy at the port and other port handling charges using their lifting devises may apply.

 viii. Other fees and Fines

When the ship delays in the ocean/sea to reach the final destination, some fine may be levied and this adds up the shipping cost.

Also, when the cargo stays for long at the destination port, fines will be levied

Of course, there are others, such as security charges add to the rate.

For experienced shipper, it is easy to predict when to do cost effective shipping since they understand all these factors.

Understanding the factor which influence the shipping rate is very instrumental in deciding when to ship into Singapore.

Now, let’s take a look at your second option when shipping from China to Singapore.

5.2. Factors affecting air freight cost from China to Singapore

Air freight is perceived to be expensive, but can be very convenient for fast shipping.

Singapore airlines are very effective and hence perishable goods are mostly shipped via this method.

China cargo plane

In terms of carbon foot print, air freight is mostly preferred.

Although it is the fastest, it has a limitation of the total load it can carry.

Just like the sea/ocean freight, this mode of transportation, also has varying rates.

Some of the factors affecting the cost of air freight include:

· Cargo type

Different type of goods to be transported must be put in different container types.

Specialized goods will attract specialized container types.

This increases the overall shipment cost.

Items such as flowers, glassware artistic work will always require caution when packing.

The packaging containers of such goods are relatively expensive.

· Manpower handling the consignment

Depending on the commodity whether general good or fragile, the handling man power will be determined.

Those commodities to be handled with care will attract specialize personnel whose charges will be relatively higher than the general commodities.

· Time of Shipment

Depending on the time the good is required, the air freight can be chosen.

All those shipments requiring very short time span can use air freight.

Different air freight companies will have different rates to deliver the cargo.

Other companies will be faster since they offer direct flights.

In such cases, you will pay higher air freight rates.

· Peak and off peak season

Demand of the service depends on whether it is peak or off peak seasons.

The freight rate goes high during the peak seasons while during the off peak season the rate reduces.

Chinese New Year

With all these factors put into consideration, you can easily determine the cost of shipping from China to Singapore.

Generally, at the point of shipment, the transport cost and clearance duties will have to be considered.

Now, let me give you some tips on the cost of shipping from China to Singapore.

For an effective shipping, it is necessary to strategize on how to reduce the shipping cost.

This can be done by:

• Choosing the smallest size of the box which fits all your commodities to avoid paying for the space not occupied
• Negotiate with the shipping carrier to give you the best offers
• Use the type of packaging provided by the carrier so as not to attract additional charges
• Buy the package in bulk and do one time shipment that doing it separately
• Avoid unnecessary weight to pay for the exact

And by the way, you don’t have to worry so much about this – JMS will do everything for you.

In a nutshell, we will choose the mode of shipping from China to Singapore depending on your needs.

At JMS, we offer flexible and reliable shipping options.

Feel free to share your shipping needs with us.

Chapter 6: FAQs on Shipping from China to Singapore

I know you may have so many questions about shipping from China to Singapore.

Well, in this section, I am going to respond to some of your concerns in a question and answer format.

FAQ

Without wasting much time, let’s go straight to that:

Question 1: Is it possible to ship other items in Ro-Ro?

Answer: The personal items are not licensed to be carried in the auto carrier and hence there is no such insurance cover for Ro-Ro.

In case of any loss or damage of such items, household goods or other personal effects would not be covered by the insurance.

It is only the vehicle that will appear on the carrier’s inventory report.

The policy of the carrier towards shipment will spell clearly what can be part of the vehicle during shipment which may be covered.

It is very unfortunate that most carriers cannot take liability of the lost items which are not part of vehicle accessory.

Any line which accepts loose personal items understands them as not protected by the insurance policy.

Question 2: What goods are prohibited by Singapore customs authorities?

Answer: These are categorized as prohibited goods by the Singapore government.

They are against the Singapore import law to be allowed into the country.

Such goods include:

• Weapons and ammunitions
• Fake currencies
• Printed matter that is against morality
• Printed matter of Digital matter in CD or DVD that can cause harm to the Chinese government
• Poison and other drugs
• All kinds of living animals and their sperms, embryos, zygotes,
• Uncooked meat or raw meat among others.

Question 3: What is the cost of shipping from China to Singapore?

Answer: The shipping cost varies and depends on the weight, size (Cubic meter) of your commodity.

Also, it depends on the shipping method, be it FCL, LCL or Ro-Ro.

Remember, there may be custom clearance charges and insurance charges to be levied depending on the shipping terms.

Question 4: What is the difference between B/L and AWB in cargo shipping?

Answer:  B/L, in full means Bill of Lading and is a transport document issued in sea freight.

You will present it at the destination to ensure the cargo is released.

The B/L can be telex released instead of the original.

AWB in full is Airway Bill and is a transport document used in Air freight.

The Air Waybill number and flight information helps in tracking of a cargo.

Once the airplane departs, the cargo right is changed from the supplier to the consignee.

Question 5: Should I have an insurance when shipping from China to Singapore?

Answer: Normally under normal liability, the damage or any cargo loss is only assessed by the weight but not the value.

Therefore, in case of any liability, the full value of the good may not be compensated.

So the commercial value of the good may not be realized in case of loss or damage.

Despite of this, it is still advisable that all the goods are well covered.

Question 6: Should I let the supplier arrange for me the CFR (CFR) terms? Does it come with any cost saving?

Answer: Not really, it is good to keep in mind that when the goods reaches at Singapore, you will have to pay other charges such as:

• Singapore arrival warehouse charges
• Singapore custom clearance
• Onward delivery charges, just to mention a few.

So, it is important not to be swayed by how cheap the supplier shipping cost may look, but it is wise considering the cost of the whole good movement.

And by the way, this is why I recommend the services of a freight forwarder from China to Singapore.

Question 7: Can Chinese New Year affect my shipping schedule to Singapore?

Answer: Of course, yes!

Most of the Chinese port officers go for holiday during Chinese New Year and hence your consignment may only be shipped once they resume.

It is important to plan early enough to do the shipping before the Chinese New Year.

Again, prices get inflated during the run up to the New Year.

As a tip – you can wait and ship after the Chinese New Year. Obviously, you’ll get better deals.

Question 8: How long does it take to ship from China to Singapore?

Answer: The duration it takes to ship from China to Singapore depends mode of transport.

Also, it will depend on the distance between the port of origin in China and port of destination in Singapore.

Of course, you will also add the time it takes to clear the cargo and transport to the inland town.

Question 9: What is the difference between EXW and FOB shipping?

Answer: In FOB, the supplier handles the local charges while the customer handles the shipping rate from China.

However, for EXW all shipping rates are handled by the customer.

Question 10: What happens if I don’t have Bill of Lading (B/L) during declaration stage?

Answer: You are can declare the cargo booking reference number in the “Bill of Lading (B/L).

When you get the B/L, go ahead and update the information by submitting the amended application through TradeNet.

Question 11: How can I activate my entity’s Customs Account?

Answer: Kindly as any key personnel whose record is fully registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) or approved Unique Entity Number (UEN) Issuance Agency; to log in using his/her CorpPass to the “Activation of Customs Account” eService.

He/she will help you activate your entity’s Customs Account.

Question 12: Is it possible to pre-bill a container?

Answer: Not possible.

CSNA will not accept pre-billing since an accurate weight and seal are always required at the time of rail billing.

Question 13: What is the chargeable weight during shipping?

Answer: We use this to calculate the rate of air flight.

Normally, the unit of measure is Kg.

Point one kilogram is used as the measurement unit for a cargo.

The higher value between the gross weight and the dimensional weight is therefore the chargeable weight.

Here is a good example:

When the weight is more than twenty one kilograms, the minimum chargeable weight is one kilogram.

On the other hand, when the weight is less than twenty one kilograms, then the minimum chargeable unit is point five kilograms.

In short, these are some of the most common questions when shipping from China to Singapore.

Do you have any other question that I didn’t cover here or in the other chapters?

Well, feel free to leave a quick comment or hit my inbox.

Now, let me take you to the last section.

It is also an important aspect too.

Chapter 7: How to Choose Freight Forwarder from China to Singapore

Throughout the better part of this guide, I have taken you through three fundamental aspects:

1. Importing goods from China to Singapore
2. Finding the best shipping from China to Singapore
3. Working with a reliable freight forwarder for a successful shipping process

However, when it comes to No. 3, there is one question that I have not answered:

How can you find the best freight forwarder from China to Singapore?

I will not lie to you about this:

There are many freight forwarder from China to Singapore.

In fact, most of them claim to offer the best services on the market.

JMS China

But, should you take their word for it.

No, you need to prove this beyond reasonable doubt.

And, here is a quick check list.

7.1 What to Consider when Choosing a Freight Forwarder from China to Singapore

Below are some of the crucial factors you need to consider:

· What Services to the Freight Forwarder in Chine Offer

It is quite simple and straightforward:

Go for a freight forwarder in China who offer numerous services.

They may range from air freight, ocean freight, LCL, FCL and door to door shipping from China to Singapore.

Other services such as cargo insurance, express shipping, custom clearance, warehousing, pick-up and delivery, just to mention a few, are added advantages.

Freight Forwarding

You know, what?

Such companies offer some of the best deals in the shipping from China to Singapore business.

· Experience and reputation in Shipping from China to Singapore

Experience and reputation matter as a freight forwarder.

A freight forwarder who has been in the business knows:

• When to get the lowest shipping rates from China to Singapore
• How to negotiate the best shipping deals when shipping from China to Singapore
• Has partnership with shipping companies for a fast and seamless process

In short:

You need to go for a freight forwarding company that has a good name in the industry.

One without complaints from customers.

Furthermore, the freight forwarding company should have a good network by having physical locations or partnerships.

With physical location, you solve all your shipping needs at any time.

· Capacity and Capability to Handle Shipping Needs

Let me be honest with you.

Shipping from China to Singapore required a lot.

For instance, the freight forwarder will:

• Transport goods or products from inland town or factory to their warehouse
• Oversee packaging and loading container
• Transport container to the seaport or airport in China
• Clear with customs officials
• Oversee loading of cargo
• Do all the necessary paperwork
• Confirm the cargo arrives at airport or seaport destination
• Oversee clearing of the cargo in Singapore
• Deliver the cargo in Singapore for door to door shipping

Can you trust a freight forwarder in China that does not have enough manpower and capability to handle this?

Shipping company to Singapore

It’s obvious – you can’t even risk.

This is why capability and capacity of the freight forwarder in China to handle all your shipping needs is important.

· Legal Existence of the Freight Forwarder

Deal with a fully registered and licensed freight forwarding company.

This way, the importing business will be seamless.

Now at any given time before you hire any company, you need to:

                               i. Sample at least 5 different freight forwarding companies

                              ii. Compare the services they offer and at what rates

                             iii. Review the freight forwarder profile – always do an in-depth research and find out if the company has complaints or unsatisfied customers. Please, try to establish the circumstances under which the customer raised complaints.

                              iv. Evaluate the import/export compliance; it must prove beyond reasonable doubt that it can handle shipping from China to Singapore seamlessly. The company should be one that follows all set regulations and operating procedures

In a nutshell:

If you pay attention to everything I have mentioned here, you will definitely get a reliable and trustworthy freight forwarder from China to Singapore.

And guess what?

That will be good news for your business as you’ll be guaranteed of cost effective, efficient and reliable shipping from China to Singapore.

Conclusion

Shipping from China to Singapore can be stress-free if you hire the right freight forwarder.

And, with JMS, shipping from China to Singapore is now easy and simple.

You can always enjoy a range of shipping procedures from China to any airport or seaport.

Throughout all the chapters of this guide, I am sure you have learnt important aspects that guarantee seamless shipping from China to Singapore.

Please feel free to share this information with your friends.

Let them learn how to get the best freight forwarder, shipping process and import procedures.

For questions and inquiries on shipping from China to Singapore, contact us today for FREE consultations.