Sending Parcels to Singapore: 7 Key Points to Avoid Problems

Sending parcels to Singapore, whether documents, samples, spare parts, goods for sale or large volumes, involves more than the freight price. You also need to consider the type of goods, transport mode, documents, customs clearance and Singapore’s import requirements.
KTC Global Logistics ships goods from Thailand to Singapore by air, sea and road, and can assess door-to-door service according to the type of goods and the conditions of each shipment.
Preparing complete product details before asking for a quote helps choose the right transport mode, estimate costs more accurately and reduce the chance of problems when the goods arrive in Singapore.

1. What are the ways to send parcels to Singapore?

Choose how to send parcels to Singapore based on the type of goods, weight, size, quantity, urgency and the actual pickup and delivery locations.

Air freight to Singapore

Air freight suits documents, parcels, samples, spare parts or urgent goods. Charges are based on actual weight and volumetric weight, or chargeable weight.
For goods containing batteries, liquids, chemicals or dangerous goods, give the details before asking for a quote, as airlines may have extra requirements.

Sea freight to Singapore

Suits large volumes, heavy goods or goods that do not need to arrive as quickly as by air.
Sea freight can be:

• LCL for less than a container load
• FCL for a full container, such as 20’GP or 40’HC

Choose between LCL and FCL based on volume, weight, type of goods and total shipment cost, not just the number of cartons.

Road freight from Thailand to Singapore

Road freight is another option for some goods, with the route passing through Malaysia before entering Singapore.
The service may be a consolidated load or a full truck, depending on the quantity and the provider’s conditions.
Actual transit time can change with the route, border crossing, customs clearance, traffic and holidays, so ask about the transit time for your shipment directly.

2. Can I ship to Singapore door to door?

Door-to-door service can be arranged in many cases, with the provider handling everything from pickup in Thailand to delivery at the consignee’s premises in Singapore, within the agreed scope.
Note: door to door does not always mean every cost is included.
Before confirming, check which items the quotation includes, such as:

• Pickup charge at origin
• Export customs clearance
• Freight
• Origin charges
• Destination charges
• Import customs clearance
• Delivery to the consignee
• GST or import duty, if any

For commercial shipments, state the Incoterms clearly, such as EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP or DDP, to set who is responsible for each cost and step.

3. Information to prepare before asking for a Singapore shipping quote

Saying only “I have a parcel to send to Singapore, how much is it?” is not enough to estimate freight.
Prepare at least the following:

• Product name and description
• Number of pieces, cartons or pallets
• Dimensions (width × length × height) of each package
• Weight per package and total weight
• Value of the goods
• HS code, if available
• Pickup address in Thailand
• Delivery address in Singapore
• Cargo ready date
• Urgency of the shipment
• Incoterms for commercial goods
• Product photos, if the goods need to be checked

Complete information lets the provider compare air, sea and road and propose the option that best suits your shipment.

4. Documents used for shipping to Singapore

The documents needed differ by type of goods, transport mode and type of import.
For commercial goods, the common basic documents are:

Commercial invoice

Shows the seller, buyer, product description, quantity, value, currency and terms of sale.

Packing list

Shows the number of packages, weight, dimensions and packing details.

Transport documents

• Air waybill for air freight
• Bill of lading for sea freight
• Consignment note or related documents for road freight

Some goods may need extra permits or documents from the regulating agency.

5. Singapore import taxes and procedures

Goods imported into Singapore are subject to the laws and requirements of Singapore Customs. In general, the importer must make a customs declaration, and in many cases needs a customs import permit before importing.
Most goods may be subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) on import, while some groups are dutiable goods and may attract both duty and GST.
Examples of goods Singapore Customs classifies as dutiable include alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, motor vehicles and petroleum products.
So do not tell customers that “freight includes tax” automatically without checking the HS code, value, type of goods and shipment conditions.
More information on import procedures is available from
Singapore Customs

6. Which goods need special checks?

Before you send parcels to Singapore, check whether the goods are general goods, controlled goods or goods that need approval from the relevant agency.
Examples of goods to check further:

• Food and beverages
• Meat products
• Fresh vegetables and fruit
• Medicines and health products
• Certain cosmetics
• Chemicals
• Batteries
• Dangerous goods
• Certain electronic or telecom equipment

Can I send food to Singapore?

The answer is not “any food can be sent”, because requirements differ by type of food, quantity, source and purpose of import.
For food imported for sale, businesses in Singapore may need a licence or registration with the Singapore Food Agency depending on the product.
Food imported for personal consumption also has different requirements and allowed quantities by type of food.
More details are available from the
Singapore Food Agency

7. The process for sending parcels to Singapore

Step 1: Send the product details

Send the product name, quantity, size, weight, photos and the pickup and delivery details.

Step 2: Check the type of goods

Check the HS code and whether the goods are general, controlled or need extra permits.

Step 3: Choose the transport mode

Compare air freight, sea freight or cross-border truck by cost, transit time and type of goods.

Step 4: Check the quotation

Check which costs the price includes and which costs the shipper or consignee must pay separately.

Step 5: Booking and pickup

Once the service is confirmed, the booking is made, the goods are picked up and export documents prepared.

Step 6: Customs and transport

The goods are exported from Thailand by the chosen mode and cleared for import in Singapore according to the requirements.

Step 7: Delivery

After import clearance, the goods are delivered to the consignee within the agreed service scope.

Frequently asked questions about sending parcels to Singapore

Can I send documents to Singapore?

Documents can be sent by air or courier. Tell us the type of documents and how urgent they are so the right service can be chosen.

How many days does it take to send a parcel to Singapore?

It depends on the transport mode, flight or sailing, route, customs clearance, type of goods and delivery location, so check the transit time of the actual shipment before confirming.

Can I ship to Singapore door to door?

It can be arranged in many cases, but the goods and delivery address must be checked first, and it must be clear who pays GST, duty and destination charges.

Can I send food to Singapore?

Some food can be imported, but that does not mean any food can be sent without conditions. Check the type of food, quantity, purpose and Singapore Food Agency requirements before shipping.

Can I get a quote without an HS code?

You can send the product details and photos for an initial freight estimate, but for commercial imports the HS code matters for checking taxes, controlled goods and other requirements.

How is the price for sending a parcel to Singapore calculated?

Freight depends on weight, size, volume, transport mode, type of goods, origin, destination and the service required, so ask for a quote based on the actual shipment details rather than a fixed reference price.

Want a quote for sending parcels to Singapore?

For a quick quote from KTC Global Logistics, prepare:

1. Product name and description
2. Quantity
3. Dimensions
4. Weight
5. Pickup address in Thailand
6. Delivery address in Singapore
7. Cargo ready date
8. Product photos
9. HS code, if available
10. Preferred transport mode or deadline