Singapore is an important transshipment port and logistics center for China in Southeast Asia. With more and more trade demands from China to Singapore, timeliness is an important condition that many companies and individuals are concerned about. This article will introduce the timeliness of transportation between the two countries in detail.
China-Singapore Trade Relations
China and Singapore have maintained close economic and trade cooperation for a long time. As a free port, Singapore has complete port facilities and an efficient customs system. There are many kinds of exports from China to Singapore, such as consumer electronics, machinery and equipment, textiles, furniture and daily necessities. Reasons for importing from China:
- Cost advantage: China’s manufacturing supply chain is mature and product prices are competitive.
- Product diversity: From OEM/ODM factories to wholesale platforms, China can provide a variety of options.
- Convenient logistics: Frequent routes and close port distances,
- Policy convenience: Singapore has low tariffs on most Chinese products and high customs clearance efficiency.
Shipping from China to Singapore
When shipping goods from China to Australia, two main modes of transportation are usually used, and the delivery time of each mode is significantly different:
- Air freight: The fastest mode of transportation can usually be delivered within 2-4 days. Air freight is ideal for high-value or time-sensitive goods, such as electronics or perishable goods.
- Sea freight: More cost-effective, but with a longer transit time of 7-12 days. Better for bulk or non-urgent goods.
The difference in timeliness depends largely on the physical and operational characteristics of each mode of transport. Air freight focuses on speed but is limited by the weight and volume of the goods. In contrast, ocean freight can transport large quantities of goods, but transit times will be longer due to factors such as port handling, customs clearance, and ship schedules.
Factors Affect for Shipping Time from China to Singapore
Several factors affect the overall shipping time from China to Singapore:
- Departure port and destination port: It is 1-2 days faster to travel from Guangzhou to Singapore than from Dalian.
- Customs clearance efficiency: The speed of export customs clearance and import customs clearance directly affects the overall shipping time.
- Shipping season: There are usually peak shipping times during the Chinese New Year, Double Eleven, and e-commerce promotion seasons, which may cause congestion and delays.
- Weather and port congestion: Sudden situations such as typhoons in the South China Sea and port strikes may delay shipping schedules.
- Cargo type and packaging: Dangerous goods or large cargoes require additional declaration and special operations, which takes longer
Sea Freight Time from China to Singapore
From major ports in China to Singapore Port, the transportation time is usually about 7 to 12 days, depending on the departure time and the specific route
Sea freight is the main mode of transportation between China and Singapore because it can transport a variety of types of goods. Although sea freight is reliable and economical, the transportation time may vary due to the above factors.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Singapore | 7-12 days |
| Shenzhen | Singapore | 8-12 days |
| Ningbo | Singapore | 7-11 days |
| Qingdao | Singapore | 7-12 days |
| Xiamen | Singapore | 8-13 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Singapore
Compared with sea freight, air freight transportation time is greatly shortened. International express from China to Singapore, such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, etc., can usually achieve door-to-door delivery in a short time. Air freight is suitable for urgent, high-value or time-sensitive goods.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Singapore) | Shipping days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Changi | 2-3 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Changi | 1-3 days |
| Beijing Capital | Changi | 2-4 days |
| Shenzhen Baoan | Changi | 1-3 days |
| Hangzhou Xiaoshan | Changi | 2-3 days |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Thailand
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the Philippines
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Indonesia
Strategies to Shorten Shipping Time from China to Singapore
To reduce shipping delays, the following strategies can be adopted:
Pre-stocking and pre-clearance
Provide complete customs documents (such as CE certification, invoices, packing lists, etc. required by Singapore) to reduce customs clearance delays.
Plan and book in advance
Arranging transportation in advance can effectively avoid delays caused by peak hours or holidays.
Optimize freight processes
By optimizing the loading and unloading and transshipment processes of goods, the possibility of delays can be reduced.
Choose a reliable freight forwarder
Choosing a well-known and reliable transportation company can help reduce uncertainty in transportation.
Monitor logistics dynamics
Use real-time tracking systems (such as Maersk, DHL Track & Trace) to avoid unexpected delays.
Strengthen communication and cooperation
Maintain close communication and cooperation with all parties in the logistics supply chain to jointly resolve delays.
The Process of Shipping from China to Singapore
The process of transporting goods from China to Singapore mainly includes the following steps. Understand the timeliness of each step:
Determine trade terms and sign contracts
Clarify the transaction parties, cargo information, transportation methods, insurance, payment methods, etc., produce or purchase the goods to be exported, and conduct quality inspection and packaging.
Booking
The freight forwarder arranges the appropriate flight/shipping schedule.
China export customs declaration
Provide commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc.
Transportation and transit
Transport goods through appropriate transportation methods, track and monitor the status of goods for timely adjustments.
Singapore import customs clearance
Submit import licenses (if necessary) and pay tariffs (GST 8%). Special goods such as food and medicine must comply with Singapore standards (such as AVA certification).
Last mile delivery
Delivered by local logistics companies (such as Ninja Van, SingPost).
The geographical distance between China and Singapore is relatively short. Through this article, we can understand the differences in transportation methods, the key factors affecting time, and how to arrange the process reasonably, which will help enterprises and individuals achieve a better balance between timeliness and cost in international logistics.