This is the shortest sea route out of China on the list, often under three weeks door to door. The shipping is the easy part. Singapore's prohibited list is longer than most people expect and its condominiums control delivery tightly.
One vetted mover from our network handles it. International movers working Singapore book the service lift and the loading bay before they book anything else, because those are the constraint rather than the freight.
Movers here plan the relocation around the building rather than the ship. Unlike most destinations on this list, there is no broad duty free concession simply for relocating. Goods and services tax generally applies on the value of imported items, with relief available in narrower circumstances.
The sailing is short. Chinese ports to Singapore is a matter of days at sea, and door to door two to three weeks is normal. That changes the planning entirely, since there is no two month gap to bridge with an air consignment.
Tax rather than duty relief. Most destinations on this list offer a concession for people relocating. Singapore generally applies goods and services tax on the value of imported items, with relief available in narrower circumstances depending on your status. Ask your mover to explain what applies to you and budget for it rather than assuming a concession exists.
The prohibited list is long. Chewing gum, certain publications and recordings, some telecommunications devices, e-cigarettes and vaping equipment, certain knives, and a range of other items are restricted or banned. Several of these are ordinary household possessions elsewhere.
Controlled goods need permits: some electronics, certain medicines, and items subject to endangered species controls.
Delivery is the real constraint. Singapore housing is overwhelmingly condominium or HDB apartment. Management offices control lift access, require a booked slot, often ask for a deposit against damage, and restrict moving to specific hours and days. Some do not permit moves at weekends. Arrange this before you fix a delivery date.
Flats are compact. Ship less than you think. Furniture sized for a Chinese apartment may still be too large for a Singapore one, and storage space is minimal.
Freight is inexpensive because the distance is short and the service frequency is high. The tax on import value is the line people forget, so include it in the budget from the start.
£250 to £900
Short sailing, frequent services.
£900 to £3,000
The common shipment on this route.
£2,600 to £7,000
Family households. Often more than a flat needs.
Tell us the building as well as the address. In Singapore the management office decides your delivery date more than the shipping line does.
We match you with your vetted mover, which means one team handles the whole relocation. It is free, with no obligation. Get a quote today and hold your dates.
Send your move detailsCall 07551 855 064 or +447551855064. Message us on WhatsApp.
This is where a Singapore move actually gets difficult, and it has nothing to do with customs.
Book the lift. Almost every condominium requires a service lift booking, often days or weeks ahead. Popular buildings in central districts fill up, particularly at month end when tenancies turn over.
Expect a deposit. Many management offices require a refundable deposit against damage to lifts and common areas, paid before the move and returned afterwards.
Check permitted hours. Moves are frequently restricted to weekday working hours. A number of buildings do not allow moving at weekends at all, which surprises people who assumed a Saturday delivery.
Padding and protection. Management usually requires lift padding and floor protection, provided either by them or by the mover. Confirm which.
Loading bay access. Larger developments have designated loading areas with height restrictions that a full size lorry may not clear. Transhipment into a smaller vehicle is common and should be in the quote rather than a surprise.
HDB flats have their own arrangements, generally simpler than private condominiums but still with lift and access considerations.
Landed property is straightforward by comparison and rare enough to be worth mentioning if that is your situation.
Regional routes out of China are short and frequent, which changes the planning compared with Europe or North America.
A move usually means moving money too, whether that is a deposit on a Chinese flat or funds coming back the other way. We have helped customers with currency exchange in any currency through trusted partners for many years, and our partners can help with the money side of your move. Mention it on the form and it gets included.
Experts in currency exchange
No hidden fees
5 star consumer ratings
Competitive exchange rate
Two to three weeks door to door, which is the shortest route on this list. The sailing itself is a matter of days. That removes the long gap most China moves involve, so an air consignment is rarely necessary.
Generally yes. Unlike most destinations here, Singapore does not offer a broad concession simply for relocating. Goods and services tax normally applies on import value, with relief in narrower circumstances. Budget for it rather than assuming a concession.
Longer than most people expect. Chewing gum, certain publications and recordings, some telecommunications devices, e-cigarettes and vaping equipment, and certain knives among others. Several are ordinary household possessions elsewhere.
Because management controls the lift. Almost every building requires a booked service lift slot, often weeks ahead, frequently with a damage deposit and restricted hours. A number do not permit moves at weekends at all.
Larger developments have designated loading bays with height restrictions that a full size vehicle may not clear. Transhipment into a smaller lorry is common on this route and should be in the quote rather than appearing as a surprise.
Usually less of it than you plan to. Singapore flats are compact and storage space is minimal. Furniture sized for a Chinese apartment may still be too large, so measure the destination before committing to bring large pieces.
Leave it. Singapore is equatorial and nothing you own for a Chinese winter will be worn there. It is bulky, it fills cartons and it costs money to ship somewhere it cannot be used.
Yes. Anything made before 1949 needs a cultural relics certificate to leave China, whatever the destination. Allow weeks for appraisal, and note that endangered species materials are controlled at both ends of this route.
Often. A sole use container suits a family household, but a great many people moving here find shared container space is enough once they have accounted for how compact the accommodation is. Price both before deciding.
Send your collection address, your Chinese destination, a rough idea of the volume and your date. A vetted mover from our network checks the route, the paperwork and the access, then comes back to you with the price.
Send your move detailsWe match international moving enquiries with vetted moving companies in the AGM Group network, each holding FIDI FAIM certification and BAR Overseas membership.
We are not a removal firm ourselves. We find you the one that suits your route, and you deal with them directly from there.