Having accounted for 28% of the global manufacturing output, China is undoubtedly the factory of the world. It’s no secret that Singaporean retailers and consumers have turned to buying cheap products directly from Chinese merchants. Online shopping websites like Taobao have facilitated the ease of small personal purchases.

But if you are a business owner who engages Chinese factories to produce your product or dropships in large quantities, you’ll want to find the most cost-effective way to ship products from China to Singapore. In no particular order, here's a comparative list of forwarding services you can use.

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Comparing The Best Forwarding Services To Ship Products From China to Singapore

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1. ComNBuy: Fastest shipping option

If you need items to arrive quickly, ComNBuy is your best bet. As compared to other providers, it has the fastest air freight shipping rate of only 3 to 5 working days. Bulk shipping by ComNBuy is also affordable and arrives within a reasonable timeframe.

While its overall standard shipping fees do work out to be more affordable than certain competitors, ComNBuy does have a high base charge. Due to the vague website description, it is also unclear what qualifies as sensitive items based on their specifications. To find out more about their shipping charges and options, click here.

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Airfreight costs

• Shipping fees: S$8 for first 0.5kg; additional S$3.25 per 0.5kg for up to 10kg; S$6 per kg for every 1kg thereafter (Standard) | S$9 for first 0.5kg; additional S$4.75 per 0.5kg for up to 10kg; S$9 per kg for every 1kg thereafter (Sensitive)

• Delivery time: 3 to 5 working days (Standard) | 4 to 6 working days (Sensitive)

• Repacking/Consolidation costs: S$2 per package

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Sea freight costs

• Shipping fees: S$16 for first 5kg; additional S$2.50 per 1kg for up to 10kg; S$2 per kg for every 1kg thereafter (Standard from Shenzhen) | S$18 for first 5kg; additional S$3.50 per 1kg for up to 10kg; S$3 per kg for every 1kg thereafter (Sensitive from Shenzhen)

• Delivery time: 10 to 12 working days

• Repackaging/Consolidation costs: S$2 per package

2. ezShip (EZbuy): Most cost-effective for air and sea shipping

ezShip has the most affordable shipping rate for sea freight and air freight options. There are also standardised shipping rates between Shanghai and Guangzhou goods, and flexibility with sea shipping since the service covers everything from small to bulky items.

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But if you are shipping numerous items, ezShip doesn't offer repacking or consolidation services. Unlock other couriers, doorstep delivery is not complimentary and comes at an additional fee from S$2. See full shipping charges and options here.

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Airfreight costs

• Shipping fees: S$2.50 per 0.5kg (Standard) | S$4.99 per 0.5kg (Sensitive; only available for shipping from Guangzhou)

• Delivery time: 4 to 8 working days (Standard) | 6 to 9 working days (Sensitive)

• Repacking/Consolidation costs: Service unavailable

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Sea freight costs

• Shipping fees: S$0.70 per 0.5kg for first 30kg, S$40 cap; S$40 for next 50kg; S$80 for next 80kg after that; $40 per 0.5m3 for shipping weight that exceeds 160kg (Standard from Shanghai) | S$0.70 per 0.5kg for first 30kg, S$40 cap; S$40 for next 50kg; S$80 for next 80kg after that; $40 per 0.5m3 for shipping weight that exceeds 160kg (Standard from Guangzhou)

• Delivery time: 8 to 15 working days

• Repackaging/Consolidation costs: Service unavailable

3. SGShop: Most variety of shipping options

SGShop is a Taobao agent with the most flexible service as it has many shipping providers available, all with varying delivery times. There is a choice to purchase wooden crates to reinforce your goods when shipping by sea shipping. Prohibited items and shipping terms and conditions are clearly stated.

SGShop tries to improve your overall user experience with its quick and accurate built-in shipping cost calculator. However, it still loses points as its website design is clunky and may prove difficult to navigate.

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Airfreight costs

• Shipping fees: Varies depending on shipping partner chosen (calculate fee here for both standard and sensitive shipping)

• Delivery time: Varies depending on shipping partner chosen

• Repacking/Consolidation costs: Charged according to package’s volumetric weight

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Sea freight costs

• Shipping fees: Varies depending on shipping partner chosen (calculate fee here for both standard and sensitive shipping)

• Delivery time: Varies depending on shipping partner chosen

• Repacking/Consolidation costs: Charged according to package’s volumetric weight

4. vPost: Good merchant deals, but no sea shipping option

vPost is ideal for those who are always on the lookout for the best deals on merchant and shipping rates. The benefits of using vPost include receiving SMS updates on your shipment and free 30-day warehouse storage for shipping payment consolidation.

However, vPost does have an expensive base and add-on charges. Additionally, there is no available sea freight shipping option for bulk shipping. Shipping insurance starts at a minimum of $9.90 per item (as opposed to the usual shipping charge per consolidated package). See full shipping charges and options here.

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Airfreight costs

• Shipping fees: S$12 base charge for first 0.5kg; additional S$1 per 0.1kg (Standard shipping only)

• Delivery time: 4 to 8 working days

• Repacking/Consolidation costs: From S$6

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Sea freight costs

• Shipping fees: S$6 base charge for first 0.5kg; additional S$0.50 per 0.1kg (Standard shipping only)

• Delivery time: 9 to 12 working days

• Repacking/Consolidation costs: From S$6

Shipping Products From China To Singapore

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Whichever service provider you choose to ship your products, you might have to pay using Chinese yuan. Sometimes, paying in Yuan might offer you better prices due to the discrepancy in exchange rates.  

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