MOVING TO
SINGAPORE
A PRACTICAL COUNTRY SPECIFIC
MOVING GUIDE OFFERED BY US
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
MOVING TO
SINGAPORE
Moving to
another country
Moving to another country, let alone half around the globe always seems a daunting task at first. Let us help you make this transition a smooth one and most importantly let our certified expertise in International Moving, Relocation and Shipping services assist and move you through the entire process. Our clientele benefit from our comprehensive know-how, fair and honest pricing, our in-depth and versatile service solutions in regards to your specific and individual moving & relocation needs!
TRANSIT TIMES
When moving, one should keep in mind the anticipated door-to-door transit time of their shipment as the length of transit might have numerous implications for you. For example, do I need to rent or purchase my new home in advance, shall I opt for a pre-longed hotel stay or have corporate housing? When moving for an employer or being a foreign civil servant on posting, your existing relocation policy will clearly identify your allowances and provide options in terms of residency while your belongings are in transit. Our team of Certified Moving Consultants® will discuss with you our various service and transit time options in regards to your particular moving needs.
U.S. Region to Singapore
FCL – SEA Freight
U.S. East Coast
- Expedited Service
- 5 -to- 7 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 6 -to- 8 weeks
U.S. Midwest
- Expedited Service
- 6 -to- 8 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 7 -to- 9 weeks
U.S. Gulf Coast
- Expedited Service
- 7 -to- 9 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 8 -to- 10 weeks
U.S. West Coast
- Expedited Service
- 5 -to- 7 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 6 -to- 8 weeks
AIRFREIGHT
U.S. East Coast
- Expedited Service
- 8 -to- 12 days
- Regular Transit
- 10 -to- 16 days
U.S. Midwest
- Expedited Service
- 8 -to- 12 days
- Regular Transit
- 10 -to- 16 days
U.S. Gulf Coast
- Expedited Service
- 12 -to- 16 days
- Regular Transit
- 14 -to- 20 days
U.S. West Coast
- Expedited Service
- 8 -to- 12 days
- Regular Transit
- 10 -to- 16 days
Consolidation – SEA
U.S. East Coast
- Expedited Service
- 8 -to- 10 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 10 -to- 12 weeks
U.S. Midwest
- Expedited Service
- 9 -to- 11 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 9 -to- 12 weeks
U.S. Gulf Coast
- Expedited Service
- 9 -to- 11 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 9 -to- 12 weeks
U.S. West Coast
- Expedited Service
- 8 -to- 10 weeks
- Regular Transit
- 10 -to- 12 weeks
SINGAPORE CUSTOMS INFORMATION
IMPORTANT FACT:
Most of the required paperwork for importing used household & personal effects duty & tax free into Singapore does not differ much from other nations.
A duty exemption will be given to household goods shipments if all documentation as required is in order.
Household Goods should be in the owner of the goods’ possession and used for more than 3 months.
Shipments must be imported into Singapore within 6 months of the owner of the goods’ first arrival into Singapore. If a shipment arrives more than 6 months after owner of the goods’ employment pass (EP) into Singapore, shipment is subject to 7% goods and services tax (GST) on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value. Returning Singaporean residents should be away for more than 6 months to get 7% GST relief. A failure to declare all items or pay taxes due may result in prosecution, fines, and/or imprisonment.
Singapore is very strict in terms of personal items that are prohibited for importation such as:
Liquors and cigarettes marked with the words “SINGAPORE DUTY NOT PAID” on the labels, cartons or packets, E-cigarettes, Chewing gum, chewing tobacco, and imitation tobacco products (except approved oral dental and medicated gum by the Health Sciences Authority), Shisha, Smokeless cigars, smokeless cigarillos or smokeless cigarettes, Dissolvable tobacco or nicotine, any product containing nicotine or tobacco that may be used topically for application, by implant or injected into any parts of the body. Any solution or substance, of which tobacco or nicotine is a constituent of, that is intended to be used with an electronic nicotine delivery system or vaporizers. Nasal snuff (with effect from 1 August 2016), Oral snuff (with effect from 1 August 2016), Gutkha, khaini and zarda (with effect from 1 August 2016)
Weapons, gun, ammunition of any kind, cigarette lighters of pistol or revolver shape, Narcotics, controlled or non-branded drugs, and psychotropic substances, endangered species of wildlife and their byproducts
Firecrackers or counterfeit currencies, obscene articles, pornographic books, materials, publications on video tapes / discs and software, reproduction of copyright publications, video tapes, video compact discs, laser discs, records or cassettes, seditious and treasonable materials, animals and birds and their by-products, endangered species of wildlife and their by-products, plants, nasal snuff, arms and explosives, bullet-proof clothing, weapons, Kris, spears and swords, prerecorded cartridges and cassettes, films, video tapes / discs, laser discs, CD-ROMS, and video games, medicines, pharmaceuticals, and poisons, tele-communications, radio communication equipment, and toy walkie-talkies.
MOVING TO
SINGAPORE
PRACTICAL INFORMATION – ELECTRONICS/HOME APPLIANCES/LAMPS
We are often ask by our clientele for advice in regards to whether or not to ship their electronics or home appliances as part of their move to Singapore? The answer is somewhat complicated and a grey area.
Some appliances or electronics might work with a transformer, others will definitely not work such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and/or electric clocks, because the appliance does not successfully adapt and a transformer will not be able to change the wattage.
So, which or what electrical appliances should I bring with me? A general rule: Nothing that is big or consumes a lot of power. Laptops, computers, and small radios are fine to include in your shipment. Kitchen or laundry appliances, microwave ovens, power tools, and TV sets are not. Also keep in mind, if not sure or certain, please do not try! Plugging in a non-conforming appliance or electronic can result in an electrical fire or a severe, potentially lethal shock. Don’t assume a fuse or circuit breaker will protect you if you do something wrong.
If you move often, or know that you will be returning back to the USA within a certain time period, it might be wise to purchase so-called ‘Multi-system appliances and electronics’. These devices are manufactured to operate on either 110-120 volts or 220-240 volts and are referred to as “multi-system”. They are usually constructed with a switch that enables them to be operated on either current. In addition, multi-system television sets are adaptable to the different video systems (USA = NTSC vs. Singapore = PAL) and scanning standards and can be used in either country. This way you won’t have to worry about frequent new purchases or trying to sell off under market price your used appliance or electronic item when relocating back home or to another country.
Certain table lamps with normal outside wiring can be used with a plug adapter, but most importantly you’ll have to change the light bulb/s as they are designed for one voltage system generally and do not work well in another plus a wrong light bulb/s can become dangerous. Risks include electrocution and fire (immediate or delayed).
For expensive ceiling lamp fixtures, chandeliers or sconces one might consider taking them along and having them rewired, adapted and made compatible with the local line voltage and frequency by a local specialty shop or retailer in your destination country.
CULTURAL INFORMATION
- You can’t chew gum in Singapore.
- Singapore is the only island city-state in the world.
- The most famous hotel in South East Asia is situated in Singapore.
- Singapore was a Malaysian city in the past.
- Singapore is a new country.
- It’s forbidden to build high buildings in Singapore.
- Lion is the symbol of Singapore.