Find a freight forwarder in Singapore

In short: The key decisions are sea or air, FCL or LCL, which Incoterm sets who pays for what, and who obtains the TradeNet customs permit and pays 9% import GST. Ask each forwarder for a written, itemised quote with origin, destination and customs charges shown separately.

A freight forwarder in Singapore arranges the movement of your goods from seller to buyer. It books space with shipping lines or airlines, consolidates or containerises cargo, prepares shipping documents, and usually arranges customs clearance and local delivery. Most forwarders do not own the ships or aircraft; they buy capacity and manage the journey for you. For a Singapore business, the main decisions are sea or air, FCL or LCL, which Incoterm sets who pays for what, and who obtains the customs permit and pays import GST.

What freight forwarders handle

Scope varies between forwarders, so compare quotes line by line rather than on one total.

Sea freight

• FCL (full container load). You book a whole container, commonly 20ft or 40ft. It suits larger volumes and keeps your cargo sealed from origin to destination.
• LCL (less than container load). Your cargo is consolidated with other shippers’ goods and you pay for the space you use. It suits smaller volumes but adds handling at consolidation and deconsolidation points.
• Port-to-port, door-to-port or door-to-door service, depending on what you need collected and delivered.

Air freight

• Faster transit for urgent, high-value or perishable goods
• Usually priced on chargeable weight, which takes the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight
• Express or consolidated options, depending on urgency and size

Customs and documentation

• Customs permit applications through TradeNet as a declaring agent
• Preparing or checking the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill
• Arranging payment of GST and any duty on your behalf
• Certificates of origin, where your buyer or a trade agreement requires one

Other services

• Warehousing, pick and pack, and distribution in Singapore
• Cargo insurance
• Handling of dangerous goods or temperature-controlled cargo, which needs specialist capability
• Transhipment and cross-border trucking into Malaysia

What it costs in Singapore

Freight rates change often and depend heavily on route, season and carrier capacity, so we have not published a price range here. Ask each forwarder for a written, itemised quote valid for a stated period. The main cost drivers are:

• Mode and transit time. Air is typically much more expensive per kilogram than sea, but faster.
• Volume and weight. Sea LCL is often charged per cubic metre or tonne, FCL per container, and air per chargeable kilogram.
• Route and season. Demand peaks and carrier capacity on a lane can move rates quickly.
• Origin and destination charges. Terminal handling, documentation, delivery order and trucking fees are often quoted separately from the main freight.
• Customs work. Permit preparation, declaring agent fees and handling of controlled goods add cost. Singapore Customs notes that declaring agents may charge additional service fees.
• Surcharges. Fuel and other surcharges may be added to the base rate, so ask what is included.
• Incoterm. Your Incoterm decides which of these costs fall on you.
• GST. Check whether service fees in the quote include GST, separately from the import GST payable on the goods.

Singapore rules buyers should know

Your forwarder can do the paperwork, but as the importer or exporter you remain responsible for an accurate declaration. These are the official points to check.

Customs permits through TradeNet (Singapore Customs)

Singapore Customs says that to import goods you must submit a Customs Import Permit through TradeNet. Before any permit can be applied for, your business needs a UEN and an activated Customs account. You can appoint a declaring agent, often your freight forwarder, to apply on your behalf, or register as a declaring agent yourself. Singapore Customs’ import guidance states that permits must be obtained before goods come into Singapore, and that importing without a required permit is an offence.

Trade documents and controlled goods (Singapore Customs)

The import procedures page says you must retain trade documents for at least five years. Controlled goods carry their own requirements, and some need approval from a competent authority before a permit is issued. Tell forwarders upfront if your goods might be controlled.

GST on imports (Singapore Customs and IRAS)

Singapore Customs charges GST on imported goods at the prevailing rate on the customs value plus all duties payable. IRAS gives the current rate as 9% of the CIF value plus any customs duty. A GST-registered business may be able to claim import GST as input tax, subject to IRAS rules, so ask your accountant how the permit should be set up. If you need help with GST registration or bookkeeping, you can request that through accounting firm matching.

Incoterms (ICC)

Incoterms are the International Chamber of Commerce’s standard trade terms that set out who arranges and pays for each part of the journey and where risk passes from seller to buyer. The ICC lists Incoterms 2020 as the most recent version, with eleven rules. Common ones include EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP and DDP. FOB and CIF are designed for sea and inland waterway transport, so for containers or air freight, check with your forwarder whether another term fits better.

How to choose a freight forwarder

Look for a forwarder that has regular experience on your lane and with your type of cargo, and that explains its quote clearly.

Questions to ask:

1. Which costs are in this quote, and which origin, destination or customs charges are billed separately?
2. How long is the quote valid, and what can change it before shipment?
3. Do you ship this route regularly, and which carriers or consolidators do you use?
4. Will you act as declaring agent and apply for the TradeNet permit? What do you need from us, and by when?
5. Can you handle our cargo type: dangerous goods, temperature control, oversized or controlled items?
6. Do you recommend FCL or LCL for our volume, and why?
7. Is cargo insurance included or optional, and what does it cover?
8. Who is our contact if a shipment is delayed or held, and how will you update us?

If you are setting up a new company to trade goods, you may also need help with company incorporation before you can get a UEN and Customs account.

Red flags

• A low headline rate with no breakdown of local charges or surcharges
• No clear answer on who submits the customs permit
• Suggestions to undervalue goods or describe them inaccurately to reduce GST or duty
• No written terms on liability for loss or damage
• Reluctance to confirm experience with your route or cargo type
• Requests for full payment upfront with no booking confirmation

How FYAdvisers matching works

1. Describe your need. Tell us what you ship, the route, volumes, timing and whether you need customs clearance.
2. Free concierge consultation. A concierge contacts you to confirm your needs, budget and timing.
3. We introduce one to five providers. With your consent, we introduce you to the number of freight forwarders you choose, up to five.
4. Meet and decide. Forwarders reach out directly with questions and quotes. You choose whether to work with any of them.

Matching is free for you. Providers pay FYAdvisers to receive introductions. FYAdvisers is not a freight forwarder, and we only share your details with your consent.