Items Commonly Shipped From US To Singapore
As the world’s second busiest port, Singapore receives a wide variety of imports for both the private and public sectors.
Corporations and the government typically import the following items from the US, either for resale or private or public use:
- Machinery and motor vehicles
- Chemicals and petroleum products
- Medical and electronic equipment
- Gems and precious metals
- Furniture
From a consumer’s perspective, the US is one of the top online shopping destinations for Singaporeans as many items are cheaper to buy from the US. This results in a large volume of imports of parcels containing these items:
- Apparel
- Cosmetics
- Electronic devices
- Vitamins and supplements
How To Ship From US To Singapore Using a Freight Forwarder
There are 5 simple steps to take in order to ship your goods over to Singapore via a freight forwarder like M&P International Freights.
Shipment Modes for Shipping From US to Singapore
The two most practical modes of transporting your goods from the US to Singapore are air and sea freight. Other than that, land transportation via trucking may be used to transport your goods door-to-door smoothly.
Air Freight
Air freight is the shipping of goods via transport planes. It is the most ideal way if you need your goods to reach their destination quickly. Air freight usually takes about 3 to 8 days to clear customs and reach the destination.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the transportation of goods between ports by cargo ships, and is the most commonly selected shipping option by traders. Your goods will be packed into less-than-container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL) containers before sailing to their destination.
Sea freight from the US to Singapore typically takes around 27 to 46 days, depending on the departure point.
LCL shipping
For LCL shipping, you will pay a flat rate and share the space of the container with other shippers’ products. The shipping period may be longer as all cargos will have to be consolidated from the US and deconsolidated in Singapore.
FCL shipping
If FCL is used, you will pay for the entire container and can decide if you would like to fill it completely. FCL can be faster and more cost-effective for shipping of large cargos.
Trucking
Trucking is where goods are transported on land via trucks. It is generally used to move goods locally, across land borders or from port to warehouse. It is usually used for first and last mile delivery of goods to and from their designated locations.
Common Carriers That Ship From US to Singapore
Some of the most common carriers used for shipments from US to Singapore include DHL, FedEx and USPS. They have a range of international shipping services that offer different price points and delivery speeds, as reflected in the table below.
Shipping with a freight forwarding company may help you get cheaper rates and quicker routes, due to longstanding relationships with carriers. Furthermore, forwarders may also plan routes with multiple carriers to get the most strategic prices.
| Carrier | Service | Estimated price in SGD (per 1kg package)* | Average delivery time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple carriers | Economy Express | $27 - $35 $33 - $50 | 5 - 12 days 3 - 9 days |
| DHL | Parcel Direct Express Worldwide | $44.19 $89.42 | 12 - 19 days 2 - 4 days |
| FedEx | International Economy International Priority Express | $94.80 $101.62 | 2 - 5 days 1 - 3 days |
| USPS | First Class International Priority Mail International | $60 $94.18 | 8 - 12 days 3 - 5 days |
*Prices are accurate as of 3 November 2022. They may vary due to factors such as insurance charges, the type and value of items being shipped, time of the year and changes in carriers’ price packages.
Common Prohibited Items To Be Exported From US
There are many items that are prohibited from being exported from the US, or require special export licences. The list of prohibited items include but is not limited to:
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Common Prohibited Items To Be Imported To Singapore
There are many commonly prohibited items in Singapore. Prohibition is mainly caused by the negative effects of these products on the economy and to its citizen’s well being. These items include but are not limited to:
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Why choose M&P International Freights?
M&P International Freights has a vast international network and extensive experience in providing one-stop freight shipping services.
Reliable and Experienced
We have been in the industry since 2006 and are proud to have serviced a multitude of clients from different industries.
You will have a personal consultant attached to you, so that you can be kept updated along the way.
Adaptable to Changes
Having been in the industry for many years, we have an expansive network of service providers.
Our network has allowed us to adapt to challenges in the industry and build a high level of independence.
Personalised Freight Solutions
As every client’s shipping needs are different, we will advise on the suitable freight methods and route based on the shipping requirements.
At M&P, we will find solutions to ensure that the shipping plans are tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping take from US to Singapore?
When shipping items from the USA to Singapore, air freight usually takes between 3 to 9 days, while sea freight takes between 27 to 46 days.
However, this may vary depending on the delivery service selected (e.g. economy, express), customs clearance and whether freight has been consolidated.
How much is shipping from US to Singapore?
Air freight and sea freight will have different costs.
Air freight
The cost of air freight is dependent on the total weight of the cargo and distance travelled. Air freight from the US to Singapore can cost between $27 to $100 for a 1kg parcel.
Sea freight
LCL and FCL sea freight rates are calculated differently. It is advised to choose FCL if your cargo is larger than 15 cubic metres (CBM).
- LCL
LCL freight is priced based on the chargeable weight of the cargo in CBM. Depending on the route, the cost for LCL may range between $25 and $140 per CBM.
- FCL
FCL sea cargo is calculated per container from port-to-port, and will vary based on the distance travelled.
For example, the shipping cost of a 20” container can range between $8,000 and $22,000. For a 40” container, it can range between $14,000 to $32,000.
How do I buy things from the US and ship them to Singapore?
Here is an overview of the steps taken when shopping online in the US and delivering your items to Singapore.
- Contact a carrier service or freight forwarding company like M&P International Freights to make delivery arrangements such as:
- Setting estimated dates of delivery
- Obtaining a US address
- Opting for consolidated freight
- Requesting buy-for-me services
- Buy your favourite items online and ship to a US address
- Get your freight consolidated for cheaper shipping
- Confirm your desired delivery service, make payment and have your items delivered to Singapore
- Track your shipment as it makes its way to your destination
What are the taxes and duties for exporting from the US?
There are no taxes and duties for exporting from the US.
What are the taxes and duties for importing to Singapore?
Duties are levied on goods imported into Singapore at a general rate, which is 20% of the goods’ custom value. However, there are specific rates for these 4 categories:
- Intoxicating liquors
- Tobacco products
- Motor vehicles
- Petroleum products and biodiesel blends
There are taxes for both non-dutiable and dutiable goods imported to Singapore. For non-dutiable goods, tax will be 7% x Customs value or Last Selling Price (LSP). For dutiable goods, tax will be 7% x (Customs value or LSP + duties payable).