Importing from China to Singapore seems easy on paper. It is a short distance, and there are plenty of ships moving between the two countries every day.
But if you ask any experienced business owner, they will tell you: “Shipping is easy. Making a profit is hard.”
Beginners often get crushed by:
- Hidden Costs: Port fees and residential delivery surcharges.
- Bad Sourcing: Paying “foreigner prices” on Alibaba.
- Compliance Nightmares: Goods getting stuck at Singapore Customs because of a missing permit.
Whether you are a Singaporean SME looking to improve margins, or a US/Global Seller using Singapore as a strategic supply chain hub, this guide is for you.
Written by the experts at Nichesources, we will take you from the basics of shipping to the advanced strategies of OEM sourcing and tax avoidance.
Part 1: Why Source from China to Singapore?
Before we talk about how, let’s talk about why. The China-Singapore trade lane is critical for two types of businesses.
For Singapore Local Businesses
Singapore is a consumption market, not a manufacturing one. To survive high local operating costs (rent, labor), you need the lowest possible Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
- The Goal: Bypass local wholesalers and buy directly from the “World’s Factory.”
For US & Global Sellers (The “Singapore Hub”)
Smart international brands are increasingly using Singapore as a strategic Re-export Hub.
- The Strategy: Instead of shipping directly from China to the US (and facing high tariffs or trade instability), they ship components to a Singapore Bonded Warehouse.
- The Benefit: Here, goods can be assembled, kitted, or repackaged. This adds value, diversifies risk, and utilizes Singapore’s world-class logistics network to distribute to Southeast Asia or the West.
Part 2: Sourcing Like a Pro
The Basics: Alibaba vs. 1688
Most beginners start on alibaba.com
- Pros: English interface, easy to use.
- Cons: Prices are often marked up by 20-30% because they target foreigners.
The Advanced Secret: 1688.com
This is the platform Chinese locals use. It is owned by Alibaba, but the prices are significantly lower.
- The Barrier: It is in Chinese, and they don’t accept international credit cards.
- The Solution: Nichesources acts as your local buyer. We purchase from 1688 using our Chinese entity, inspect the goods, and ship them to you.
Deep Dive: Spotting “Fake” Factories
On Alibaba, 80% of suppliers are actually Trading Companies, not real factories. They are middlemen taking a cut of your profit.
How to spot them:
- Product Range: If a supplier sells Phone Cases, T-shirts, and Garden Hoses, they are a trader. Real factories specialize.
- The “Showroom” Trap: During a video call, do they only show you a fancy office? Ask to see the noisy production line.
OEM & Private Labeling
To build a brand, you can’t just sell generic items. You need OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
- Challenge: Factories often demand a High MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) of 1,000+ units for custom logos.
- Agent Value: We have relationships that allow us to negotiate lower MOQs (e.g., 100-200 units) so you can test the market without heavy investment.
Part 3: Logistics & Shipping (The Money Saver)
Choosing the right shipping method is the difference between profit and loss.
The Basics: Shipping Methods Comparison
| Method | Speed | Cost | Best For |
| Air Express (DHL/FedEx) | 3-5 Days | High | Samples, Dropshipping, Urgent Documents |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 12-15 Days | Medium | Small Bulk (1 – 10 CBM) |
| Sea Freight (FCL) | 10-12 Days | Low | Large Orders (Full Container 20ft/40ft) |
Recommendation: Always ask for DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms. This means the agent handles all customs clearance and taxes. You just wait at your door.
Deep Dive: The “Volumetric Weight” Trap
This is the #1 reason beginners lose money on shipping.
Couriers and Airlines charge based on Space, not just weight.
- The Formula: (Length x Width x Height) / 5000 (or 6000).
- Example: You buy 50kg of plush toys. They are light but take up huge space. The airline might charge you for 200kg of “Volumetric Weight.”
The Nichesources Solution:
We don’t just ship boxes; we optimize them.
- Vacuum Packing: We suck the air out of soft goods (textiles, pillows) to reduce volume by 50%.
- Repackaging: We discard the supplier’s bulky boxes and use fit-to-size packaging.
Deep Dive: Last-Mile Delivery in Singapore
Singapore is small, but delivery can be tricky.
- Residential Surcharges: Many couriers charge extra for HDB/Condo delivery compared to a warehouse/office delivery.
- Lift Access: If your goods (like furniture) don’t fit in the lift, you will face heavy “staircase fees.” Always check your building access first!
Part 4: Taxes, Duties, and Compliance
The Basics: Singapore GST (9%)
All goods imported into Singapore are subject to 9% GST (Goods and Services Tax).
- It is calculated on the CIF Value (Product Cost + Insurance + Freight Cost).
- Exemption: Air freight shipments valued under SGD 400 are GST-free.
The Advanced Secret: The “Zero Tariff” Rule (CSFTA)
Under the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA), you can eliminate customs duties completely.
But you must prove the goods are from China.
The Key Document: Form E
You must present a “Form E” Certificate of Origin to Singapore Customs.
- Important: Your supplier must apply for this in China before shipment.
- The “Direct Consignment” Rule: The ship must sail directly from China to Singapore. If it stops in Hong Kong and the goods are unloaded/manipulated, your Form E might be invalid unless you have a “Non-Manipulation Certificate.”
Deep Dive: Controlled Goods (Permits)
Some items require more than just tax. You need a Competent Authority (CA) Permit.
- Kitchenware/Food: Requires SFA (Singapore Food Agency) approval. (Yes, even for ceramic plates!).
- Cosmetics/Skincare: Requires HSA (Health Sciences Authority) notification.
- Electronics (Bluetooth/WiFi): Requires IMDA registration.
Warning: If you ship these without a permit, your goods will be detained or destroyed. Nichesources performs a compliance check before you buy.
Part 5: Why You Need a Sourcing Agent (Real Case Study)
Many buyers think: “I can just use a Freight Forwarder. Why do I need an Agent?”
The difference: A Forwarder moves boxes. An Agent manages your business.
| Task | Freight Forwarder | Nichesources (Agent) |
| Sourcing Suppliers | No | Yes (1688 & Direct Factory) |
| Price Negotiation | No | Yes (Native Chinese Speakers) |
| Quality Inspection (QC) | No | Yes (We open & check every box) |
| Consolidation | Maybe | Yes (Combine 10 suppliers into 1) |
| Form E Application | No | Yes |
Case Study: The Office Chair Client
A Singaporean client wanted to import 50 office chairs.
- The Problem: The factory quoted shipping based on fully assembled chairs. The volumetric weight was massive, making shipping cost $2,500.
- The Nichesources Fix: We negotiated with the factory to ship the chairs “Knocked Down” (disassembled) and flat-packed. We also combined this with another order of desks.
- The Result: Shipping cost dropped to $900. The client saved $1,600 instantly—more than our service fee.
Conclusion
Importing from China to Singapore is a powerful way to grow your business, but the “do-it-yourself” method is full of expensive traps.
You need a partner who understands both the Chinese Supply Chain (1688, Factories, Form E) and the Singaporean/Global Market requirements.
Stop overpaying on Alibaba. Stop worrying about Customs.
Let Nichesources handle the hard work, so you can focus on selling.
Have a specific product in mind?
Contact our team on WhatsApp or Email. Whether you need a simple restock or a complex re-export strategy for the US market, we are ready to help.
