As important trading partners in Asia, China and Singapore have long maintained close economic and trade relations. With the continuous optimization of regional supply chains and the rise of the Southeast Asian market, the demand for transporting goods from China to Singapore continues to grow. This article will introduce the cost of transportation between the two countries in detail.
Background of China-Singapore Trade
As an important global shipping center and logistics hub, Singapore has world-class port and airport facilities, providing an efficient channel for Chinese goods to enter the Southeast Asian market and even the global market. The main commodities imported by Singapore include machinery and equipment, electronic components, textiles, chemical products and daily necessities.
Factors Affecting of Shipping cost from China to Singapore
Cargo volume and weight
Air freight is charged by billable weight (the larger of volume weight and actual weight), and sea freight is charged by cubic meters (m³) or full container (FCL)
Port of departure and port of destination
Major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou have cheaper prices and rich routes, and different ports have different charges.
Cargo type
Dangerous goods (such as chemicals, batteries), perishable goods, etc. may have additional surcharges, and high-value goods may require additional insurance
Seasonal changes
Freight rates rise significantly during peak seasons (such as before the Spring Festival and after Double Eleven), and are relatively cheap during off-seasons
Service type
Door-to-door (DDP/DDU) is usually more expensive than port-to-port, including customs clearance services, warehousing, loading and unloading, etc.
Bunker surcharge (BAF)
Will significantly affect the overall transportation cost
Sea Freight Cost from China to Singapore
Sea freight is popular among global businesses of all sizes. It is cost-effective, reliable, and more flexible in terms of cargo size.
A 40-foot ship container can hold up to 20-22 standard pallets, while a 20-foot ship container can hold up to 8-10 pallets.
Generally, when shipping from China to Singapore, you can choose between two modes of transportation: FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load). It mainly consists of the following fees:
- Sea freight: charged by the shipping company, depending on the container type, weight, and season
- Document fee/Bill of Lading fee: document processing fee
- Miscellaneous fees at the port of departure: customs clearance fee, trailer fee, terminal handling fee
- Destination port destination fee: Singapore’s THC, LCL deconsolidation fee, etc.
- Customs clearance and delivery fee: if you choose DDP or door-to-door service, plus local delivery cost
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Singapore | $35-$65 | $450-$950 | $950-$1500 |
| Shenzhen | Singapore | $30–$60 | $500-$900 | $900-$1500 |
| Ningbo | Singapore | $30-$75 | $550-$950 | $850-$1450 |
| Qingdao | Singapore | $45-$75 | $500-$900 | $750-$1550 |
| Xiamen | Singapore | $35-$65 | $600-$950 | $900-$1400 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Singapore
Air freight is an ideal choice for time-sensitive goods, but it is more expensive. Freight is usually calculated by kilogram and varies according to the carrier and flight conditions. It is suitable for urgent goods, high-value electronic products, and perishables. It mainly consists of the following fees:
- Freight is charged by volume or weight: usually calculated by the volume weight of the goods (volume weight = length × width × height/6000)
- Fuel surcharge: fluctuates according to international oil prices
- Security inspection fees, security fees: levied by airports and airlines
- Customs declaration and customs clearance services: If tax-inclusive customs clearance or DDP is required, an additional service fee is required
- Delivery fee: If local delivery in Singapore is required (especially B2C orders)
| eparture Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Singapore) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Changi | $3.0 – $6.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Changi | $3.2 – $5.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Changi | $3.5 – $5.8 |
| Shenzhen Baoan | Changi | $3.5 – $5.0 |
| Hangzhou Xiaoshan | Changi | $3.3 – $5.5 |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Japan
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the Philippines
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Indonesia
Understanding Singapore Import Taxes and Duties
When importing goods, duties and fees make up a large portion of the total price of shipping between China and Singapore. These fees include VAT, customs duties, and other related taxes and fees. They are calculated based on several factors:
- Value of goods: Duties are usually a percentage of the declared value of the goods.
- Classification of goods: Duty rates vary depending on the type of product being shipped, so it is crucial to correctly classify the contents of your shipment.
- Shipping terms: You may also come across other trade terms, such as CIF or FOB, which also affect the calculation of duties.
| Product Category | Import Tax Rate (%) | Additional Notes |
| Consumer Electronics | 5% | Includes smartphones, laptops |
| Clothing and Textiles | 8% | Covers both synthetic and natural fibers |
| Machinery and Equipment | 3% | Applies to industrial machines and tools |
| ood and Beverages | 12% | Includes both processed and unprocessed foods |
| Beauty Products | 10% | Encompasses skincare products and cosmetics |
| Toys and Sports Equipment | 15% | Includes video games, sports gear, and accessories |
Strategies to Reduce of Shipping Cost from China to Singapore
Reduce transportation costs through the following strategies:
Cargo consolidation and consolidation
Reduce LCL and air freight costs through cargo collection, consolidation, and shared warehousing
Rational arrangement of container loading
Rational use of container space to avoid wasting space and causing cost increases, use professional palletizing services or ask freight forwarders to help optimize container loading methods.
Choose economical flights or off-peak shipments
Avoid holiday peaks and choose mid-week or late flights for lower freight rates
Use DDP service to pack costs
One-stop service including customs clearance, taxes, delivery, etc. to avoid additional costs due to declaration errors
Work with professional freight forwarders
Freight forwarders familiar with China-Singapore trade can provide customized logistics solutions to strive for better freight rates and space guarantees
How to Choose the Right Freight Forwarder
Choosing the right freight forwarder is crucial to controlling logistics costs, improving transportation efficiency, and ensuring cargo safety. Here are the reasons for choosing a freight forwarder:
Clarify your own needs
Determine the cargo attributes (weight, volume, category, frequency) and transportation methods (sea, air or multimodal transport), whether one-stop service (customs clearance, warehousing, terminal distribution) is required, and the budget range.
Investigate and compare freight forwarder qualifications
Give priority to freight forwarders with formal qualifications such as AEO certification, IATA/FIATA membership, and ISO certification.
Investigate service network and value-added capabilities
Confirm whether it has coverage and local partners in major ports of departure (such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai) and destinations (such as Singapore). Pay attention to whether it can provide value-added services such as inspection, labeling, insurance, EDI system docking, and online tracking.
Get transparent quotes and pay attention to surcharges
Ask the freight forwarder to provide a complete rate list, including basic freight, local handling fees, port miscellaneous fees, insurance fees, customs clearance fees, etc.
Test communication efficiency and professionalism
Test their response speed and ability to explain the shipping process via phone or email.
There are various logistics methods and flexible channels for transporting goods from China to Singapore. Understanding the cost structure and applicable scenarios of various transportation methods and making scientific choices based on the characteristics of the goods through this article is the key to controlling logistics costs and improving efficiency.