Moving to Singapore
Singapore is a city-state with one of the busiest container ports in the world. Ships from Europe call here regularly, so the journey itself is simple. What can be harder is everything after unloading: small flats, high space costs, strict regulations and a humid tropical climate. We start moves to Singapore by deciding what actually makes sense to ship. In Wrocław we pack and load the container, and clearance and delivery are carried out by a partner from the FEDEMAC network.
Route and timing
The container sails from Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Rotterdam through the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean. Singapore is a transshipment hub for many lines, so sailings are frequent and direct. The voyage usually takes four to five weeks, and the whole move from packing to carrying in most often six to eight weeks.
Rules that surprise people
| Item | Rule in Singapore |
|---|---|
| e-cigarettes and accessories | prohibited – cannot travel in any shipment |
| chewing gum | import restricted |
| alcohol | subject to excise duty and GST, exemptions are minimal |
| tobacco products | no exemption, every pack is taxed |
| medicines | some require approval from the health authority |
| decorative knives, replica weapons | may require a permit |
Used personal and household goods of people arriving for work usually pass without charges. For clearance our partner will ask for a copy of your passport, your work pass (e.g. Employment Pass) or dependant's pass, and an inventory in English.
Condo or HDB flat
Condominium
Private apartment buildings with security and a pool. The move is booked with the management, often with a deposit and during weekday hours. The freight lift is fitted with protective padding.
HDB flats
Public housing blocks. The lifts are smaller, and unloading takes place at ground level under the block. Delivery is planned so as not to block the way for neighbours.
Humidity and small floor areas
Humidity in Singapore is very high all year round. Leather furniture, books, instruments and clothes that coped perfectly well in Poland for years start to go mouldy without air conditioning. That is why we pack them with moisture absorbers and, after delivery, advise keeping them in air-conditioned rooms. Flats are also usually smaller than in Wrocław, and many are partly furnished. Often the best solution is space in a shared container for personal belongings, with furniture kept in our storage. We write about protecting furniture during the voyage under sea freight for furniture.
Order of steps
- Get your work pass and sign a lease.
- Book a pre-move survey and decide on the size of the shipment.
- Remove e-cigarettes, stocks of medicines and alcohol from your belongings.
- After packing, take a copy of the inventory with you.
- Book a moving date with the building management.
Singapore – frequently asked questions
Can I ship my belongings before my Employment Pass is issued?
It is better to wait for the pass to be approved. Without it clearance may be delayed, and port space in Singapore is expensive.
Is it worth shipping furniture to Singapore?
For a longer stay and a larger flat, yes. With a two-year contract and a furnished condo, a few cubic metres of personal belongings are usually enough.
Can I ship a supply of Polish medicines?
Only in quantities permitted by the health authority, and some substances require approval. It is better to agree this with your doctor and carry the medicines in your luggage.
How do I protect a leather sofa from humidity?
We pack it in breathable material with moisture absorbers. Once there, it should be kept in an air-conditioned room.
A contract in Singapore
We will help you choose what to ship and what to store in Wrocław. The quote is free.
Free quote