Let’s start by laying the groundwork.
Check, check check, you should be good to go… but wait!
As a key shipping industry leader, you can trust us when we say there’s always more beneath the surface when it comes to importing goods into Singapore.
Here are 3 important questions to consider to avoid common pitfalls or legal complications while managing any initial cross-border shipment/purchase.
These are questions that even the most seasoned logistics suppliers constantly refer to, to make sure importing goods into Singapore stays a smooth and fuss-free process.
The rules for importing and exporting into any country are unique to said country and are enforced by the state’s Customs so as to control the flow of goods in/out of their geographical borders. In this case, the Singapore Customs is the primary government authority that shippers and consignees have to pay attention to.
According to Singapore Customs, any entity that intends to engage in import or export activities in Singapore will need to:
These responsibilities fall under the scope of business/individual bringing in the goods into Singapore, ie. the principal, even if the shipment is handled by a freight forwarder who acts as the declaring agent. As such, this is the first essential step to ensure your shipment goes smoothly.
There are 3 broad categories of goods that you as an importer/exporter have to be mindful of when complying with import trade regulations:
Let’s breakdown the different goods:
Not sure if your product falls under this category? Here’s how you can find out:
If your goods do not fall under the above two categories mentioned, they will typically classify as general goods and the import process will be relatively simpler.
It’s always a good idea to double-check with your supplier(s) and/or freight forwarder about special requirements before confirming any buy-sell agreement/shipment. Do also note that the type of goods also corresponds to different shipping prices, owing to additional specialised fees needed to account for a particular shipment.
At this point, half of the battle has been won and all that is left is choosing how you would like to import your goods (ie. by sea or air), as well as working out the shipping arrangement between you and your supplier.
For businesses that are not time-sensitive and price conscious in their shipping requirements, we typically recommend opting to ship via sea freight.
For a shipment from Guangzhou to Singapore, this typically takes an estimated 13-15 days from cargo receipt at origin to delivery to your door through SW Logistics, subjected to vessel & unforeseen delays. Otherwise, air freight would be your preferred mode of transport for goods that need to be received within shorter periods of time, at the expense of higher costs.
For importers who are just starting out and are unfamiliar with making shipping arrangements, we would recommend liaising with their suppliers on a Ex-Works (EXW) or Free-On-Board (FOB) basis, which we will explain in greater detail in our upcoming article.
When it comes to organising your own shipment, we understand that the many moving elements can seem daunting at times. People often get lost in the sea of information available online which ends up costing the business heavily.
That being said, our team is always happy to assist businesses and individuals that may need assistance when it comes to arranging their shipment. Feel free to arrange a no-obligations consultation with our team to help you get started with arranging your shipment.
Let us make your logistics simple. Whether you need freight forwarding, warehousing, or end-to-end 3PL support, we’ll tailor a solution to fit your exact needs. Get a fast, no obligation quote and find out how we can help your business grow.
