With the explosion of global e-commerce, Singaporeans now have access to products from Japan, the US, Korea, the UK, and beyond — from cult fashion labels to skincare, gadgets, and household essentials. However, one common obstacle remains: expensive international shipping.
Shipping costs can sometimes wipe out your savings, especially when you’re ordering from multiple stores or regions. But don’t worry — there are smart ways to reduce your international shipping fees, and in this guide, we’ll show you how.
Here are the Top 5 Tips to Save on International Shipping to Singapore, whether you’re shopping from Amazon, Taobao, Rakuten, or any overseas retailer.
🚚 Tip 1: Use a Parcel Forwarding Service Like Buy&Ship
One of the most effective ways to lower your cross-border shipping expenses is to use a parcel forwarding service, such as Buy&Ship Singapore.
Why it works:
- Many international websites don’t ship to Singapore
- Those that do often charge high shipping fees
- Forwarding services let you ship to a local warehouse and forward items at a lower cost per pound
Buy&Ship gives you access to 11 overseas warehouse addresses, including:
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇰🇷 Korea
- 🇺🇸 US (no sales tax)
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇬🇧 UK
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇨🇳 China
- 🇹🇼 Taiwan
- 🇹🇭 Thailand
- 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
- 🇦🇺 Australia
📦 Shipping rates start from just S$9/lb, with no volumetric weight charges.
✅ Perfect for products that are light but bulky — like apparel, bags, or home goods.
📦 Tip 2: Consolidate Your Parcels Across Countries
If you shop from multiple international sites (e.g. Amazon US, Rakuten JP, Gmarket KR), you may end up with several parcels — and separate shipping charges for each.
Instead, use Buy&Ship’s free 30-day storage and parcel consolidation feature.
How it helps:
- Receive all your packages at Buy&Ship warehouses
- Combine them into a single shipment to Singapore
- Pay one base fee, instead of multiple
📌 Example: Instead of paying S$25 each for 3 separate shipments, you pay S$9 + S$7/lb for the total weight — often cutting your cost by half.
💡 Tip: Time your orders so they arrive within the same 30-day storage window.
🔍 Tip 3: Look for Domestic-Free Shipping Offers
Most global e-commerce platforms offer free domestic shipping within their country — and this is where Buy&Ship’s warehouses come in handy.
Examples:
- Rakuten Japan: Many sellers offer free JP shipping over ¥3,980
- Amazon US: Free US shipping on qualifying orders
- Taobao/Tmall: In-country promo shipping or free-to-warehouse delivery
Use the local warehouse address to take advantage of domestic offers, then forward the package via Buy&Ship — you avoid international courier markups altogether.
💡 Tip 4: Avoid Platforms That Charge by Volume Weight
Some international couriers calculate shipping based on volumetric weight — meaning the size of your package, not just the weight, can increase your cost dramatically.
Parcel forwarding platforms like Buy&Ship offer a huge benefit here:
They charge by actual weight only.
Why this matters:
| Item | Actual Weight | Volumetric Weight | Savings via Buy&Ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight jacket | 1.2 lbs | 4.5 lbs | ✅ Yes |
| Crossbody bag | 1.5 lbs | 3.8 lbs | ✅ Yes |
| Yoga mat | 2 lbs | 6 lbs | ✅ Yes |
This pricing model gives you full transparency and helps avoid overpaying for large-but-light items.
💰 Tip 5: Monitor GST Threshold & Plan Around It
Singapore charges 8% GST on imported goods if the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) exceeds S$400.
If you’re shipping high-value items, try these strategies:
- Split purchases into two separate shipments under S$400
- Consolidate lower-value items to stay within threshold
- Buy during sales to offset GST costs (e.g. Singles’ Day, Black Friday)
📦 Buy&Ship will notify you if GST is applicable before you confirm shipment.
💡 Bonus: You only pay GST upon delivery — no surprise “handling charges” from random couriers.
🎯 Real Example: How Darren Saved on International Shipping
User: Darren, 36, home & lifestyle enthusiast
Purchased from:
- Rakuten Japan – MUJI kitchenware
- Amazon US – Echo Dot + Kindle
- Gmarket Korea – Skincare & wellness items
Combined Weight: 6 lbs
Buy&Ship Shipping Fee: S$9 + S$7×5 = S$44
Compared to direct shipping total: Over S$110
Savings: ~S$66 + consolidated convenience
🗣 “With Buy&Ship, I turned three high shipping fees into one flat shipment — all delivered in less than 10 days.”
✈️ Additional Tips to Reduce Cross-Border Costs
- 🛒 Shop during global shopping festivals (e.g. 11.11, Amazon Black Friday)
- 🧾 Use platform vouchers + credit card promos to reduce item costs
- 🔄 Track exchange rates if paying in foreign currencies
- 📱 Follow Buy&Ship Singapore on Facebook for promo code alerts and flash sales
- 🎁 Join the referral program to earn credits towards future shipping
Why Buy&Ship is the Best Option for Singaporean Shoppers
| Feature | Buy&Ship Advantage |
|---|---|
| Warehouses | 11 countries including Japan, US, UK, Italy |
| Fees | Transparent weight-based pricing only |
| Consolidation | Free, multi-country supported |
| Volumetric Charges | ❌ Not applicable |
| GST Guidance | ✅ Notification before shipment |
| Storage | Free 30 days |
| Support & Tracking | Real-time updates, local team |
✅ Whether you’re shopping from Asia, the US, or Europe — Buy&Ship helps you save more and ship smarter.
You don’t need to avoid international stores just because shipping is expensive. With the right tools and techniques — especially by using Buy&Ship Singapore — you can unlock global pricing, avoid hidden fees, and enjoy massive savings with every order.
From fashion and electronics to books and homeware, smart cross-border shopping is now more accessible than ever.
👉 Ready to get started? Sign up at www.buyandship.com.sg and take control of your international shipping experience.