From Japanese MUJI homeware to American gadgets and Korean skincare, Singaporeans are increasingly shopping from overseas websites. But there’s one problem — international shipping fees.
These costs can add up quickly, especially when buying from multiple countries or sites. In this guide, we reveal 5 proven ways to save big on international shipping to Singapore, including how to use Buy&Ship Singapore to simplify and lower your shipping costs.
1. Use a Parcel Forwarding Service Like Buy&Ship
Many global sites don’t ship to Singapore. Others do, but the fees are sky-high. That’s where parcel forwarding services come in.
Buy&Ship Singapore provides local warehouse addresses in 11 countries:
🇺🇸 US ｜ 🇯🇵 Japan ｜ 🇰🇷 Korea ｜ 🇨🇳 China ｜ 🇨🇦 Canada
🇬🇧 UK ｜ 🇮🇹 Italy ｜ 🇭🇰 Hong Kong ｜ 🇹🇼 Taiwan ｜ 🇹🇭 Thailand ｜ 🇦🇺 Australia
✅ Why it helps:
- Get access to region-exclusive products and discounts
- Take advantage of local shipping offers
- Ship internationally from warehouse at S$9/lb flat rate, with no volumetric charges
💡 Ideal for small, light-but-bulky items like fashion, books, home goods, or toys.
2. Consolidate Packages for Maximum Savings
Ordering from multiple sites? Don’t ship them separately — consolidate!
With Buy&Ship’s 30-day free storage, you can hold multiple parcels and send them as one shipment.
Example:
- 3 shipments separately: S$25 each = S$75
- 1 consolidated shipment (6 lbs): S$9 + S$7×5 = S$44
🔁 Save over S$30 and reduce environmental impact with fewer packages!
💡 Tip: Plan purchases so they arrive at the warehouse within the same 30-day window.
3. Use Local Shipping Promotions
Major platforms offer free or discounted domestic shipping — use it to your advantage.
| Platform | Domestic Shipping Promo |
|---|---|
| Amazon US | Free shipping for eligible items over US$35 |
| Rakuten Japan | Free JP shipping over ¥3,980 (many stores) |
| Taobao | Free local delivery to warehouse |
| Gmarket Korea | Local shipping often included |
Use your Buy&Ship warehouse address during checkout to receive domestic free shipping, then forward internationally.
4. Avoid Volumetric Weight Charges
Some international couriers charge based on package size, not actual weight — bad news for big but light items.
Buy&Ship solves this with weight-only pricing.
| Item | Actual Weight | Volumetric Weight | Buy&Ship Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down jacket | 1.4 lbs | 4.2 lbs | ✅ Charged 1.4 lbs |
| Yoga mat | 2.2 lbs | 6.0 lbs | ✅ Charged 2.2 lbs |
| Blanket | 2.0 lbs | 5.8 lbs | ✅ Charged 2.0 lbs |
📦 No surprises. No inflated bills. Just honest pricing.
5. Shop During Global Sale Events
Time your purchases around mega-sales to boost savings and offset shipping fees.
🛍️ Key Shopping Events:
- 11.11 Singles’ Day (China)
- Amazon Black Friday / Cyber Monday (US, UK, JP)
- Rakuten Super Sale (Japan)
- Gmarket Brand Week (Korea)
🧠 Combine store discounts, platform vouchers, and efficient shipping to maximize value.
🎯 Real Case Study: Daniel’s Multi-Country Haul
User: Daniel, 35, design enthusiast
Bought from: MUJI JP, Amazon US, Gmarket KR
Total weight: 6.2 lbs
Shipping cost via Buy&Ship: S$9 + S$7×5 = S$44
Original cost with direct shipping: S$112
Savings: S$68
🗣️ “I cut my shipping bill by more than half — and everything arrived safely in one box within 10 days.”
📌 Bonus Tips to Save Even More
- 💳 Use store & credit card discounts for checkout savings
- 📱 Sign up for Buy&Ship alerts to get flash promo codes
- 🔁 Track foreign exchange rates to shop at the best timing
- 🎁 Refer friends to Buy&Ship and earn credit toward shipping
- 🧾 Choose flat-rate pricing platforms like Buy&Ship for predictability
Why Singaporeans Choose Buy&Ship
| Feature | Buy&Ship Benefit |
|---|---|
| Warehouses | 11 countries |
| Volumetric charges | ❌ None |
| Parcel consolidation | ✅ Free |
| Transparent pricing | ✅ S$9/lb + S$7/additional lb |
| Local customer support | ✅ Singapore-based |
| Shipment tracking | ✅ Real-time |
| Storage | ✅ 30 days free |
Shop the World, Ship Smarter
International shipping doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With the right tools — especially Buy&Ship Singapore — you can cut costs, shop from multiple countries, and still get everything delivered reliably.
From fashion and gadgets to home decor and gifts, smarter shipping opens up a whole world of shopping possibilities.
👉 Get started at www.buyandship.com.sg and unlock cheaper shipping today.