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Shipping From Singapore to the UK:Air, Sea & Container Freight

Shipping Cost from Singapore to the UK

Many factors go into the cost of shipping from Singapore to UK, including location, size, and shipping mode: sea FCL, sea LCL, air, or express. This guide will give you pricing estimates for each shipping mode from popular ports in Singapore to popular ports in UK.

Ocean Freight from Singapore to the UK

Ocean Freight FCL

FCL, or full container load, means your goods fill an entire container, either 20’ or 40’ long. If you are shipping at a high volume, you’ll save time and money by shipping FCL. Pricing for FCL is done as a flat rate, regardless of whether or not your container is completely full.

Learn more about FCL here.

Container shipping rates from Singapore to the UK: 40’ container

Shipping from Singapore (SGSIN Port)
Shipping to Southampton (GBSOU Port)$1,731
Shipping to Felixstowe (GBFXT Port)$1,729
Shipping to London (GBLON Port)$2,185
The quotes on this table are port-to-port peak season FCL shipping average rates.

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Ocean Freight LCL

LCL, or less than a container load, means your goods do not fill an entire container, and will be shipped along with other boxes or pallets. Note that when you ship LCL, your goods will need to be consolidated at the origin port and deconsolidated at the destination port.

That’s why LCL shipping takes a few days longer than FCL.

Shipping from Singapore
Shipping to Southampton$842
Shipping to Felixstowe$842
Shipping to London$842
These rates are door-to-door shipping averages for a load of 200 kg/1 cbm

Air Freight from Singapore to the UK

Shipping from Singapore
Shipping to Southampton$1,246
Shipping to Felixstowe$1,255
Shipping to London$1,239
These rates are door-to-door shipping averages for a load of 200 kg/1 cbm

Air cargo shipping cost from Singapore to the UK per kg

Shipping by air is generally faster but more expensive than shipping by ocean, so the mode you choose will depend on the size and weight of your shipment, and how quickly you need it to arrive at destination.

For help choosing which mode is right for your shipment, use our air vs. ocean comparison calculator.

When you’re shipping air, the price per kg decreases the larger your shipment’s weight:

Chargeable weight10 kg100 kg300 kg
Price per kg$39.29$5.92$4.92

Shipping from Singapore to the UK transit time

Ocean, Air and Express freight transit time from Singapore to the UK

How long will it take to ship from Singapore to UK? Your shipment’s transit time will be impacted by location, shipment size, and season. Use the following table for timing estimates for each shipping mode from Singapore to UK.

Port to PortDoor to Door
Sea Freight (FCL)30-35 days47-51 days
Sea Freight (LCL)21-26 days48-53 days
Air Freight3-5 days6-11 days
Express*––1-4 days
* Express freight is always door to door

How much is shipping from Singapore to the UK?

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Cheapest shipping from Singapore to the UK?

When you’re shipping from Singapore to the UK, you can choose from one of four modes: FCL sea freight, LCL sea freight, air freight, or express. Here are key factors for each mode:

FCL Sea Freight from Singapore to the UK

FCL, or full container load, means your goods fill an entire container, either 20’ or 40’ long. If you are shipping at a high volume, you’ll save time and money by shipping FCL. Pricing for FCL is done as a flat rate, regardless of whether or not your container is completely full. Learn more about FCL here.

LCL Sea Freight from Singapore to the UK

LCL, or less than a container load, means your goods do not fill an entire container, and will be shipped along with other boxes or pallets. Note that when you ship LCL, your goods will need to be consolidated at the origin port and deconsolidated at the destination port. That’s why LCL shipping takes a few days longer than FCL.

Air Freight from Singapore to the UK

Shipping by air is generally faster but more expensive than shipping by sea. For help choosing which mode is right for your shipment, use our air vs. ocean comparison calculator.

Express from Singapore to the UK

When you have a small shipment and need it delivered as quickly as possible, you might consider express.

FAQ

What are incoterms and how do they affect freight prices from Singapore to the UK?

When you’re comparing freight quotes, note the level of service the freight forwarder is offering.
For example, if you’re shipping from Singapore, Singapore to Felixstowe, UK, you’re going to want to ask your supplier about the cost difference between shipping from the supplier’s warehouse in Singapore– which means using the EXW incoterm– and shipping from the port of Singapore(SGSIN) – which means using the FOB incoterm.
Prices for FOB are typically lower, but shipping FOB doesn’t mean your total costs will necessarily be lower. You might make up the cost by paying your supplier to bring your goods to port. When comparing prices, take all your costs into account.
Note that some incoterms, including FOB, are used for sea shipping only.
Learn all about incoterms here.

What customs duties and taxes will I owe when shipping from Singapore to the UK?

When importing from Singapore to UK, you will need to pay Customs Duty and VAT before your goods are released into the country. Customs and VAT can be significant. Researching your costs early can keep you from getting caught by surprise.

UK Duty
Customs duty is calculated based on the HS Code, which is an international system for classifying goods for trade. Different products have different duty percentages, generally ranging from 0-12%, determined by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. You’ll pay this percentage on the total value of the goods.
So let’s say your shipment is worth $10,000, and your product is taxed for duties at 10%. Your duty amount is $1,000.

VAT
VAT is calculated based on the cost of your goods, plus the cost of shipping them, plus duty. The standard VAT rate in Y is 20%.
So for your $10,000 shipment that cost $1,000 to ship, you’ll pay: 20% of (10,000+1,000+1,000) = $2,400.

How the Customs Process Works
When goods arrive at port, customs officials will first check to make sure all your paperwork is in order, and then calculate the amount of duties owed and collect payment. After payment, goods will be released.
To handle customs clearance, you can hire your own broker, or use the brokerage provided by your freight forwarder. If you book on Freightos, you can use our brokerage services as well.

Do I need insurance to ship from Singapore to the UK?

When calculating your shipping costs, don’t forget to protect yourself in case your goods are damaged or lost. You can do this through your freight forwarder or a third party insurance agent. Insurance costs are typically around 0.3% – 0.5% of your Commercial Invoice Value, which is the amount you paid for the goods.

What paperwork do I need to ship from Singapore to the UK?

When shipping freight from Singapore to the UK, in addition to standard shipping paperwork such as the Commercial Invoice, you will need an EORI number. Anyone shipping from outside to inside the European Union needs this number in order to clear customs. To apply, click here if you are VAT registered, here if you’re not.
Use our paperwork checklist here to make sure all your paperwork is in order before you ship.

How do I ship from Singapore to an Amazon FBA Warehouse in UK?

As an Amazon shipper from Singapore to UK, you’ll need to consider issues of timing and storage, as well as choosing the right forwarder. Check out this guide to learn more.

Shipping ports in Singapore

Your factory, supplier, or freight forwarder will likely advise you which port is best for your export from Singapore, based on location, ease of customs clearance, transit time, port volume, and any relationships or agreements between the factory and the port.
If you’re choosing a port on your own, important factors to consider include location, cost, and transit time. Here are the top ports for exporting from Singapore:
Port Name: Singapore
Port code: SGSIN

Shipping ports in UK

These are the top ports for importing into UK:
Port Name: Felixstowe
Port code: GBFXT
Port Name: Southampton
Port code: GBSOU
Port Name: London
Port code: GBLON

How long does it take to ship a container from Singapore to UK?

It depends on which shipping mode you use. Shipping express can take as few as 1-4 days – but express is the most expensive mode, and is not suitable for large shipments. Air freight shipping will take about 6-11 days. Sea freight shipping takes 47-51 days, but is the most affordable if you can wait.

How much to ship a container from Singapore to UK?

On average, it costs $1,882 to ship one 40’ container from Singapore to UK during peak season.

What’s the cheapest time of month to book from Singapore to UK?

Carriers can introduce increases to shipping charges, called General Rate Increases (GRIs) at the start of each month. But, toward the middle of the month as they try to fill supply on vessels, they often lower these prices. That means booking during the latter two weeks of the month can often save you money.

Tips for Keeping Down Costs and Shipping Time from Singapore-UK

  • Book in advance. Shipping by sea is the cheapest, but also takes the longest. Booking in advance when you can saves you money– and cuts out the stress if delays arise.
  • Ship off-peak. When carriers get busy, both shipping prices and transit times go up. Ship during off-peak seasons whenever you can.
  • Get your documentation in order. Having your documentation in order can make all the difference when it comes to clearing customs quickly.
  • Know your HS Codes. A lot of shippers are surprised by how much customs fees can affect business costs. Do your research so you can budget effectively.
  • Compare quotes from different providers. Quotes can vary, so check out offers from different providers before making a decision.
  • Understand what’s included in your quote. Is your quote port to port or door to door? What service does it include? Know what you’re paying for to avoid getting hit with surprise fees.

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