Shenzhen Guanwutong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd.
As your most trusted freight expert with over 6 years of experience, GWT Logistics connects you directly to the world-class Port of Singapore from all major Chinese ports.
We provide a seamless, one-stop solution with first-hand rates from 20+ top carriers, handling complex TradeNet customs declarations and final delivery so you can focus on growing your business.
Key Features:
- Rapid Transit: Direct shipping from Shekou to Singapore in as little as 3-4 days.
- Flexible FCL: Daily sailings with ample space for 20GP/40HQ containers.
- Economical LCL: Reliable consolidation for smaller shipments (<15 CBM).
- Worry-Free DDP: Complete Door-to-Door service including specialized Singapore customs clearance.
- Core Partners: EMC, COSCO, OOCL, WHL, ONE, CMA, IAL & More
What can we do when shipping from China to Singapore?
Sea freight FCL from China to Singapore
Rapid Direct Service: Ultra-fast shipping from Shenzhen (Shekou) to Singapore in just 3-4 days.
Daily Sailings: Flexible scheduling with daily departures (Mon-Sun) to meet your production timeline.
Core Carriers: First-hand rates from premium carriers including EMC, WHL, COSCO, OOCL, ONE, IAL, CMA, and TSL.
Container Options: Standard 20GP (25-28CBM), 40GP (55-58CBM), and 40HQ (66-68CBM) with ample space guaranteed.
Sea freight LCL from China to Singapore
Cost-Effective Consolidation: The smart choice for shipments under 15CBM that are too heavy for air freight (>200kg).
Secure Warehousing: We arrange pickup, storage, and consolidation to ensure your goods remain safe before departure.
Seamless Handling: We manage the entire process including loading supervision, cargo insurance, and final distribution.
Flexible Routing: Professional consolidation services from major Chinese ports to Singapore.
Air freight from China to Singapore
Guaranteed Capacity: Weekly signed contracts with major airlines ensure space even during peak seasons.
Versatile Handling: Fully capable of shipping General Cargo, OOG, Dangerous Goods, and Oversized items.
Urgent Solutions: Perfect for time-sensitive supply chains requiring immediate delivery.
Door-to-Door: Direct transfer from the supplier’s hand to your customer’s hand for maximum speed.
Express delivery service from China to Singapore
Best choice for small parcels: Ideal for shipments under 2CBM or 200kg or for urgent samples and documents.
Premium courier partners: Options via FedEx, DHL, UPS, and EMS.
Fastest turnkey solution: Tracking enabled door-to-door delivery.
Short transit times: Perfect for high-value items requiring immediate delivery.
Door to Door Shipping from China to Singapore
End-to-End Logistics: We handle everything from pickup in China to final delivery in Singapore.
Full Service: Includes packing, labeling, loading supervision, and cargo insurance negotiation.
Customized Solutions: Whether utilizing Sea, Air, or Land, we tailor the route to your specific needs.
Worry-Free Experience: We coordinate between multiple suppliers so you don’t have to.
DDP Shipping from China to Singapore
TradeNet Experts: We are fully licensed to handle complex declarations via the Singapore TradeNet system.
Tax & Duty Management: We manage all GST payments and Import Permits (including specific licenses for controlled goods).
Regulatory Compliance: Expertise in handling “Strategic Goods,” “Temporary Import/Export Schemes,” and special exemptions.
Risk-Free Import: We act as your authorized declaring agent, ensuring 100% compliance with Singapore Customs regulations.
Table of Content
Shipping goods from China to Singapore should be straightforward—it’s one of the world’s busiest trade lanes. Yet, many importers find themselves trapped by hidden destination charges, opaque customs delays, or “fast boats” that end up taking two weeks.
At GWT Shipping, we believe in radical transparency. Whether you are shipping 500kg of electronics or 70 containers of raw materials, you deserve to know exactly which ship your cargo is on, how the 9% GST impacts your cash flow, and how to clear customs without a hitch.
This guide answers the only questions that matter: How much does it really cost, how fast can it get there, and how do you avoid getting stuck?
How Much Does It Cost to Ship from China to Singapore and Which Option Is Right for You?
Most websites give you a vague range like “$100 – $2,000”. That helps no one. The reality is that shipping costs in 2025 are highly polarized depending on your departure port and urgency.
1. The “Real” Cost Structure (2025 Market Snapshot)
Here is a realistic comparison of your options based on current market data:
Shipping Mode | Departure Port | Typical Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
Economy Sea (FCL) | Ningbo / Shanghai | ~$150 – $300 / 20GP | 7–9 Days | Heavy, low-margin goods (Furniture, Materials) |
Priority Sea (FCL) | Shenzhen (Shekou) | ~$700 / 20GP | 3–4 Days | High-value stock, Urgent B2B orders |
Sea Freight (LCL) | Major Ports | $20 – $50 / CBM | 7–14 Days | Small shipments (<15 CBM) |
Air Freight | Shanghai (PVG) | CNY 15 / kg | 2–3 Days | Bulk cargo (>500kg) |
Air Freight | Shenzhen (SZX) | CNY 30+ / kg | 1–2 Days | Urgent samples or electronics |
⚠️ WARNING: The “Negative Freight” Trap
In the LCL (Less than Container Load) market, you may see quotes of -$30 USD/CBM.
Do not be fooled. “Negative freight” means the forwarder is paying the supplier to ship the goods. To recover this cost, they will charge your Singapore consignee exorbitant Destination Charges (often 3x the standard rate) upon arrival. This damages business relationships.
GWT Promise: We provide “All-In” transparent pricing. What we quote is what you pay—no shocks for your receiver in Singapore.
2. Decision Guide: Sea vs. Air
How do you choose? Here is our scenario-based advice:
Scenario A: 500kg+, Not Urgent.
- Verdict: Sea Freight from Ningbo/Shanghai.
- Why: Rates here are currently rock-bottom due to capacity surplus. It’s the most economical choice if you can wait 7 days.
Scenario B: 500kg+, Very Urgent.
- Verdict: GWT Priority Sea (Shenzhen).
- Why: Don’t default to air freight immediately. Our Shenzhen fast boat takes only 4 days (vs. 2 days for air) but costs 80% less. It is the perfect middle ground for Amazon FBA sellers or retail restocks.
Scenario C: Under 100kg.
- Verdict: Courier (DHL/FedEx).
- Why: For this volume, the minimum fees for sea/air freight make them unviable.
How Long Does Shipping Really Take? (Don’t Trust the “7-12 Days” Average)
If a forwarder tells you “shipping takes 7 to 12 days,” they are giving you an average that ignores the most critical factor: The Cut-off Time.
1. The “Average” vs. The “Specific”
A ship might only take 4 days to sail, but if you miss the Tuesday cut-off and the ship sails on Wednesday, your cargo sits in the warehouse for a week. That “4-day” transit just became 11 days.
2. The “Speed” Options (GWT Data)
We don’t guess. We book specific vessels with guaranteed space.
Option A (The Fastest): Shenzhen (Shekou) Direct
- Carrier: OOCL / EMC
- Schedule: Cut-off Tuesday ➔ Depart Wednesday ➔ Arrive Friday
- Total Time: 3 Days (Port to Port).
- This is our “Flagship Service” for time-sensitive cargo.
Option B (The Standard): Shanghai / Ningbo Direct
- Carrier: WHL / IAL
- Schedule: Cut-off Friday ➔ Depart Saturday
- Total Time: 7–9 Days.
Need air freight speed at sea freight rates? Our Priority Sea options from Shenzhen rival air transit times.
How Does Customs Clearance Work in Singapore and What Usually Goes Wrong?
Singapore is a free port, but it is strict. 90% of clearance delays are not caused by the customs officer, but by paperwork errors before the ship even arrives.
1. The 90% Cause of Delays
The most common issues we see are:
- HS Code Errors: Classifying a product incorrectly can lead to overpaying taxes or triggering a “red light” inspection.
- TradeNet Rejections: Missing information in the TradeNet declaration.
The GWT Advantage: We are a TradeNet Registered Agent. We don’t outsource this. We pre-check your documents against the Singapore Customs database before cargo loading to ensure a “Green Light” clearance upon arrival.
2. The 9% GST Rule
All goods imported into Singapore are subject to 9% Goods and Services Tax (GST) based on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight), regardless of whether they are dutiable or not.
- Note: Shipments via air/post under SGD 400 are GST-exempt. Sea freight is always subject to GST.
“But wait—can I delay paying this 9%?”
For serious importers, the answer is yes. Read the next section.
Can You Reduce or Defer GST in Singapore? (Zero-GST Warehouse Explained)
If you are a high-volume importer, paying 9% GST immediately upon arrival can severely impact your cash flow. We offer a sophisticated solution: the Zero-GST (ZGS) Warehouse Strategy.
1. The Strategy: Cash Flow Management
A Zero-GST Warehouse is a designated area licensed by Singapore Customs where goods can be stored with GST suspended. You only pay the GST when the goods leave the warehouse for local consumption. If you re-export the goods to other countries (e.g., Malaysia, Indonesia), you never pay the GST.
2. Real-World Calculation
Let’s say you import $100,000 USD worth of electronics.
- Standard Method: You pay ~$9,000 USD in GST immediately when the ship arrives. That is $9k cash locked up.
- GWT ZGS Solution: We move your cargo to a ZGS warehouse. You pay $0 GST upon arrival.
- The Benefit: If you sell the goods over 6 months, you defer that payment for 6 months. That is a massive working capital advantage.
3. Is This For You?
This strategy is not for one-off parcels. It is designed for:
- High-Frequency Importers (Monthly containers).
- Regional Distributors using Singapore as a hub.
- High-Value Cargo owners (Electronics, Machinery).
Can You Ship OOG or Dangerous Goods from China to Singapore?
If you have tried to ship batteries or oversized machinery, you have likely heard “No” from other forwarders. At GWT, we specialize in the “tough stuff.”
1. “My cargo was rejected by other forwarders…”
Standard forwarders dislike risk. We manage it. We understand the specific packing requirements for IMO Class 9 goods and OOG (Out of Gauge) cargo.
2. Case Study A: The Giant Tires (OOG)
The Challenge: A client needed to ship giant industrial tires from Tianjin to Singapore. The dimensions were too large for a standard container, and there were brand authorization issues with Customs.
The GWT Solution: We arranged a 40ft Open Top (OT) container. Our team coordinated directly with the manufacturer to resolve the brand authorization filing within 24 hours, ensuring the cargo caught the vessel on time.
3. Case Study B: Electronics with Batteries
The Challenge: An 18-pallet air freight shipment of smart locks and surveillance probes from Hangzhou. The factory packed Lithium batteries and dry batteries together (a violation of airline safety rules).
The GWT Solution: Instead of rejecting the cargo, we deployed a team to the airport warehouse. We re-palletized the entire shipment, physically separating the battery types and applying correct DG labels. The shipment flew the next day.
Who We Are a Good Fit For?
We believe in honest partnerships. We might not be the right fit for everyone.
We might NOT be for you if:
- You are shipping a single personal parcel and price is your only factor (We recommend Singapore Post or Taobao Consolidation for this).
- You need “Negative Freight” rates (We refuse to engage in hidden-fee pricing).
We ARE a perfect fit if:
- You need Certainty: You want your cargo on the Tuesday OOCL vessel, guaranteed.
- You have Complex Needs: You need DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), Zero-GST storage, or OOG handling.
You are a Business: You are an Amazon FBA seller, a B2B distributor, or a factory that cannot afford production line stoppages due to late deliveries.
FAQ
Currently, the fastest sea route is from Shenzhen (Shekou) via OOCL or EMC carriers. With a cut-off on Tuesday and departure on Wednesday, the transit time is only 3 to 4 days port-to-port. This is comparable to economy air freight but at a fraction of the cost.
Beware of this trap. Negative freight means the forwarder is paying the supplier to ship the goods. To recover this cost, they will charge the consignee in Singapore exorbitant “Destination Charges” (often 3-4 times the standard rate) before releasing the cargo. GWT practices “All-In” transparent pricing to protect your business relationships.
Generally, yes. All sea freight imports are subject to 9% GST based on the CIF value, regardless of the amount. However, for Air Freight or Courier shipments valued under SGD 400, GST is currently exempt. For high-volume importers, GWT can assist with the Zero-GST (ZGS) Warehouse scheme to defer GST payments for up to 6 months.
Yes. Our DDP service is a complete “Hands-Off” solution. It covers:
Pick-up from your Chinese supplier.
Export clearance in China.
Sea/Air freight.
Singapore TradeNet declaration & Permit handling.
GST payment (on your behalf).
Final delivery to your doorstep (including Jurong Island or Sentosa, with surcharge).
Yes, but these are “Controlled” or “Dangerous” goods.
Batteries: Requires MSDS and UN38.3 reports. We may need to re-palletize them for airline compliance (as per our case studies).
Food: Requires an import permit from the SFA (Singapore Food Agency).
Liquids: Requires proper packaging to prevent leakage.
Note: E-cigarettes and Chewing Gum are strictly prohibited.
Absolutely. We offer free warehousing in our Shenzhen and Guangzhou facilities. You can have your suppliers ship to us, and we will combine them into a single shipment (LCL or FCL). This saves you significant destination clearing fees compared to shipping them individually.
The 3-Day Priority Sea Freight from Shenzhen is typically 80-90% cheaper than Air Freight. For a 500kg shipment, Air Freight might cost $1,500+, while Priority Sea Freight would cost ~$150-$200 (freight only), arriving just 2 days later than the plane.
Ready to streamline your Singapore supply chain?
If you are still unsure about the best route, or if you are worried about customs compliance of Singapore, we are here to help.
