The city-state of Singapore has 5.7 million residents living on 63 islands that collectively could be dropped into Ottawa four-times over. This is just one remarkable fact of a very small, very densely populated, and extremely wealthy country.
Singapore has the world's:
Highest percentage of millionaires
Second busiest port
Third highest GDP per capita
So, e-commerce has a bright future in Singapore with a tech-savvy population, a well-developed internet infrastructure, and a projected annual revenue growth rate of 9%.
Information for this page was retrieved primarily from Singapore Customs.
Shipping Rates
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Singapore through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Singapore. in case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Singapore
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 1, 2023
8:49 am
Sungei Kadut, SK, SG
Delivered
May 31, 2023
7:18 am
Simpang, SI, SG
In transit
May 30, 2023
9:03 pm
Sembawang, SE, SG
International Clearance
May 30, 2023
8:14 am
Mandai, MA, SG
In transit
May 30, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 29, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Singapore before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Generally, shipping used personal effects and household goods to Singapore from Canada will incur GST. However, those transferring residence to Singapore may be exempt from GST (see Moving Permanently below for details).
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students moving temporarily to Singapore and shipping their personal effects from Canada.
Non-Students
There is no information at this time regarding non-students moving temporarily to Singapore and shipping their personal effects from Canada.
Moving Permanently
Those moving to Singapore permanently may ship their personal effects to Singapore exempt from GST.
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising material may be shipped to Singapore from Canada exempt from GST and duty under Singapore's Temporary Import Scheme (TIS) providing they are re-exported within 6 months.
Advertising is aimed for events such as international conferences, conventions, trade fairs, and exhibitions. They may include items such as: Equipment, Apparel, and Accessories.
NOTE: Gifts, souvenirs, and other items given away, including brochures and pamphlets, do not qualify as advertising material.
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
A detailed description of each item is provided
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Yusof Ishak 11 Bukit Batok Street 25 Singapore
Phone: 658712
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment shipped to Canada for repair, upon re-importation to Singapore, is exempt from GST providing:
The good returns to Singapore within 3 months of its exportation
The repairer provides a certificate indicating whether new parts have or have not been employed for the repair
NOTE:
If new parts were used for the repair, GST will be charged on the value of those parts
Items Under Warranty
Equipment repaired for no charge under warranty in Canada will be exempt from GST when it returns to Singapore. This applies even if new parts were used to effect the repair.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Equipment no longer under warranty repaired in Canada is exempt from GST except on the value of new parts used to effect the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Singapore
Equipment shipped to Singapore for repair will be exempt from GST and duty, including spare parts, for a period of up to 6 months.
Returning Repaired Product to Singapore
Equipment repaired in Canada and returned to Singapore is exempt from GST providing:
It is returned within 3 months of its exportation from Singapore
The repairer provides a certificate indicating whether new parts have or have not been employed for the repair
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Singapore or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Certificate from the Canadian repairer indicating whether new parts were or were not used for the repair
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods may be temporarily imported into Singapore from Canada exempt from GST and duty for a period of up to 6 months. (Extensions of up to 3 months may be granted by Singaporean officials; an application must be made through TradeNet.)
NOTE: A security deposit is required for temporary importation.
Goods sold, disposed of, or not exported from Singapore within the time limit will incur GST and duties. Goods that qualify for temporary import include:
Teaching aids and scientific equipment
Equipment and instruments for artistic and musical performances
Items required for scientific testing and demonstrations
Items for display at conferences, conventions, and trade shows, for e.g. apparel, accessories, and equipment
Professional equipment required to perform a job in Singapore
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Singapore, you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below. Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice. More details are shown in the table.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
2
Commercial Invoice
+
ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE: You should be aware that shipping using this method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax free.
Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, FedEx, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any duties and taxes.
2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel in and out of the country.
It's also great because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
NOTE: It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet for items that frequently
travel in and out of the country and especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD
In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than 6 months in Singapore
NOTES:
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature)
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Yusof Ishak 11 Bukit Batok Street 25 Singapore
Phone: 658712
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Singapore. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Singapore, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
Goods imported into Singapore fall into 1 of 2 categories: dutiable or non-dutiable.
Dutiable goods - alcoholic beverages and tobacco products - will incur duty and GST.
Non-dutiable goods incur only GST, which is 7% of the CIF value of the shipment.
CIF is the sum of the customs value, insurance, and freight costs of the shipment. (In the case of dutiable goods, the amount of duty is added to the CIF value.)
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value, you will be able to calculate the amount of GST owing by the recipient.
Thresholds
The value below which GST is not collected - the demimis value - is S$400 (about $385 CAD).
Shipments of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are not exempt from GST - a shipment of these of any value will incur GST and duty.
Currency
Singapore dollar SGD
Duty Exemption
(De minimis Value
S$400 (about $385 CAD)
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (GST)
7%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
S$400 (about $385 CAD)
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Singapore and Canada are free trade partners under The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Therefore, most products sold between the two countries have a 0% duty.
A detailed list for tariffs can be found here.
Duties on beer, wine, spirits, tobacco, and tobacco products can be found here.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Singapore from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 2-3 months to complete the delivery.
