Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP and seven more — see which costs sit with us and which sit with you
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Singapore is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
Service Details
What to expect on the China–Singapore Sea Freight lane
Sea Freight into Singapore runs through PSA Singapore (Pasir Panjang/Tuas), Jurong Port. Clearance is by Singapore Customs and typical dwell before release is 1–3 days.
Singapore is a free port and the cleanest customs environment in the region — most cargo clears in under a day. It is also the natural consolidation point for onward moves into Indonesia, Malaysia and the wider ASEAN market, so many buyers use a Singapore DDP delivery as a staging step rather than a final destination.
Route facts
| Destination country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia Pacific |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | PSA Singapore (Pasir Panjang/Tuas), Jurong Port |
| Transit, China to gateway | 4–7 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 1–3 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Singapore Central — CBD and central business district deliveries. Via SIN air / PSA sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Jurong — western industrial estate and chemical cluster. Via SIN air / PSA sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Tuas — the new mega-port district and heavy industry zone. Via SIN air / Tuas Port sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Changi — airport logistics park and air cargo consolidation base. Via SIN air; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Woodlands — northern industrial area and Malaysia land-crossing point. Via SIN air / PSA sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Ang Mo Kio — electronics manufacturing and technology park. Via SIN air; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
The per-kilogram rate above applies to chargeable weight, not to what the scale says. At 166.7 kg per cubic metre, a carton of light goods can be billed at several times its actual weight, so send dimensions with the weight when you ask for a quote into Singapore — a rate quoted without them is only ever provisional.
In practice the cargo we move on this lane clusters into a few recognisable shapes — electrical cabinets (HS 85 / 8541), where clearance turns on cE and IEC conformity, and a check that voltage and grid code match the destination, pallet (HS 44 / 48) and architectural hardware (HS 73 / 82 / 83). Each behaves differently against the rate: one fills the payload before it fills the space, the next does the reverse, and the packing brief we send back with the quote is written to the one you are actually shipping.
Discharge for Singapore on this service is at PSA Singapore (Pasir Panjang/Tuas) and Jurong Port. Transit time in the rate table is measured to the port, not to the door: the inland days on top depend on which gateway the box clears through and how far inland the delivery address sits.
If your delivery address is inland rather than at the port, the destination guides are the useful read: Singapore Central, Singapore, Tuas, Woodlands and Ang Mo Kio each document their clearing gateway, typical inland transit and local customs behavior, none of which is visible in a rate table. See all Singapore destinations we cover for the other 2.
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A container number is four letters and seven digits, for example MSKU6090510. The last digit is a check digit, so a typo can be caught here rather than by an empty result on the carrier's site. We validate it in your browser — the number is not sent to us or to anyone else.
Additional Information
Duty, tax and documents for Singapore
GST 9%; import duty 0% on almost everything except liquor, tobacco, petroleum and motor vehicles. The de-minimis position is GST applies to low-value goods via the Overseas Vendor Registration regime.
Conformity: IMDA registration for radio equipment; Safety Mark for controlled electrical goods; HSA licence for health products.
Known friction points: Chewing gum, e-cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited outright. Telecommunication and radio devices need IMDA equipment registration. GST is charged on the full landed value with no practical de-minimis for commercial cargo.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Singapore
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Singapore Customs or your broker before shipping.
Where these numbers come from
We publish these figures so you can budget, but the assessment that binds is the one Singapore Customs makes on your declaration. Where a shipment is large enough that a percentage point matters, check their current tariff guidance rather than ours.
Classification drives everything downstream: the same carton can attract very different duty depending on the heading it lands in, and the structure those headings come from is the World Customs Organization Harmonized System. If your product sits near a boundary between two headings, resolve it before shipping rather than at the border.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
If this is your first shipment into Singapore, the Singapore Country Commercial Guide covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking.
China to Singapore — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | PSA Singapore (Pasir Panjang/Tuas), Jurong Port |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Singapore Customs |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | GST applies to low-value goods via the Overseas Vendor Registration regime |
| Import tax & duty regime | GST 9%; import duty 0% on almost everything except liquor, tobacco, petroleum and motor vehicles |
| Local currency | SGD |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 1–3 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | IMDA registration for radio equipment; Safety Mark for controlled electrical goods; HSA license for health products |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Singapore. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Maximize every CBM on this route: load your carton list into the 3D container planner, check space and payload utilization, and download the loading plan for your forwarder.
Open Container Planner →Singapore Sea Freight Checklist
- Reserve loading space 5-7 days before the sailing cut-off for this route during peak season.
- Check pallet vs floor-loading: floor loading typically fits 8-12% more cartons per container.
- Verify the receiver's customs import capability in Singapore for DDP terms before booking.
- Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Singapore take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 1–3 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Singapore?
Clearance is handled by Singapore Customs. The regime is: GST 9%; import duty 0% on almost everything except liquor, tobacco, petroleum and motor vehicles, with a de-minimis position of GST applies to low-value goods via the Overseas Vendor Registration regime. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000, so one cubic metre counts as about 166.7 kg) and charge whichever is greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above. A 300 kg consignment measuring out to only 200 kg volumetric is still charged on the 300 kg.
What documents are required for customs clearance in Singapore?
Singapore Customs typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (IMDA registration for radio equipment; Safety Mark for controlled electrical goods; HSA license for health products). We file these under DDP.
What does DDP shipping to Singapore include on this route?
DDP means we quote the freight, the customs entry with Singapore Customs and last-mile delivery in Singapore together, so you settle once. The duty and tax portion depends on your product's HS code, declared value and the exchange rate at entry, so it is confirmed against your actual goods — the figures on this page are indicative and can move either way.
Which ports or airports does this route use into Singapore?
Sea cargo to Singapore clears through PSA Singapore (Pasir Panjang/Tuas), Jurong Port; air freight clears via SIN (Changi). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to Singapore with us.
🇸🇬 Singapore
We tested this lane to Singapore with a mid-volume order. The handover and document checks were efficient. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Singapore. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Giao hang dung hen va khong co phi phat sinh bat ngo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Singapore. The handover and document checks were efficient. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Singapore through this team. The handover and document checks were efficient. Tracking updates were not excessive, but they came when something important changed. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
This was a DDP shipment to Singapore for mixed cartons. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Theo doi lo hang ro rang trong suot qua trinh.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Singapore through this team. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Singapore. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We tested this lane to Singapore with a mid-volume order. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost. Theo doi lo hang ro rang trong suot qua trinh.
This was a DDP shipment to Singapore for mixed cartons. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Singapore. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Singapore through this team. Door delivery was arranged with minimal back and forth. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Singapore through this team. The handover and document checks were efficient. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
Shipment arrived on schedule with zero issues at customs. DDP pricing was exactly as quoted, no surprise charges. Highly recommend.
The pricing is fair and the process is straightforward. Took a bit longer than estimated but no damage to goods.
Professional service from start to finish. Clear communication throughout, and my cargo cleared customs without any problems.
Reasonable transit time. The documentation handling was professional and customs clearance was smooth.
Decent service but transit took about a week longer than quoted. Goods arrived undamaged which is the main thing.
Used this service twice now for air freight. Both times the delivery was smooth and the pricing was transparent.
Efficient service for consolidation shipments. Would have appreciated more proactive updates during transit.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Singapore
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Singapore SIN air / Singapore sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Singapore Central SIN air / PSA sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Jurong SIN air / PSA sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Tuas SIN air / Tuas Port sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Changi SIN air inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Woodlands SIN air / PSA sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Ang Mo Kio SIN air inland same day Guide only — no rates
Shipping Singapore cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Restaurant Furniture Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
- Amusement Equipment Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Gifts Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Amazon FBA E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Metal Fabrication Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Cutting Tools Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Compressors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Automated Storage Equipment Construction, Mining & Material Handling
- Electrical Cabinets New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Automotive Glass Automotive & Vehicles
- Doors & Windows Building Materials & Construction Products
- Paper Packaging Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products