Looking to shop globally and ship your parcels back to Singapore? You’ve probably come across two major forwarding services: Buy&Ship and Shop and Ship. Both offer ways to buy from overseas stores and get your items delivered right to your doorstep in SG — but which one is better suited for you?
In this detailed comparison, we break down the differences between Buy&Ship and Shop and Ship based on warehouse locations, fees, ease of use, and customer experience, so you can make an informed decision before your next haul.
🌍 Overview of Both Services
📦 What is Buy&Ship?
Buy&Ship is a parcel forwarding and proxy shopping platform widely used in Singapore and across Asia. It operates 11 warehouses worldwide, including US, UK, Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. Users shop on their favorite overseas sites, ship their orders to a Buy&Ship warehouse, and consolidate packages to save on international shipping.
✅ Known for transparent pricing and low service fee, Buy&Ship is popular among budget-savvy shoppers.
✈️ What is Shop and Ship?
Shop and Ship is a forwarding service managed by Aramex, a logistics company based in the Middle East. It provides access to 30+ countries, with warehouse addresses you can use when shopping abroad. The brand is more established in the Middle East but also has a presence in Asia.
🧾 Offers more warehouse coverage but has variable rates and annual membership fees.
📍 Warehouse Coverage
| Feature | Buy&Ship | Shop and Ship |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Countries | 11 (including US, UK, Japan, Korea, Italy, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China) | 30+ (including UAE, Egypt, Turkey, China, USA) |
| Consolidation Available? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Warehouse Proximity to Popular Retailers | ✅ Excellent (Japan, Korea, US) | ✅ Good but less focused on Asia |
Verdict: If you mostly shop from Japan, Korea, or the US, Buy&Ship offers more optimized warehouse choices.
💰 Pricing & Fees Comparison
Buy&Ship Singapore
- 💵 Shipping fee:
‣ First pound (lb): S$9
‣ Each additional pound: S$7 - Rates apply uniformly across all warehouse locations
- Final cost depends on your delivery method:
‣ Choose between Buy&Ship shipping (standard) or UPS shipping (premium) - 📦 Free consolidation
- ❌ No membership or service fees
- ✅ Transparent pricing and no hidden charges
Shop and Ship Singapore
- 💵 Shipping fee: Varies by country; typically higher per 0.5kg
- 🧾 Membership fee: USD $45 (one-time)
- 💼 Variable customs handling fees
- ❌ Pricing structure is harder to estimate in advance
Verdict: Buy&Ship is more cost-effective and beginner-friendly, especially for light to medium shipments.
🧾 Checkout & Customs Handling
| Feature | Buy&Ship | Shop and Ship |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Declaration | User-submitted, itemized | Often estimated by system |
| Tax Support | Transparent; user declares actual price | Can be vague, auto-estimated |
| Proxy Shopping | ✅ Yes (Japan/ Korea/ Taiwan/ Canada/ US/ UK/ Hong Kong/ Chin) | ❌ Not available |
With Buy&Ship, you can declare your package values manually, ensuring smoother customs clearance and full transparency.
📱 Website & User Experience
| Feature | Buy&Ship | Shop and Ship |
|---|---|---|
| Interface Language | English | English |
| App Available | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Tracking Updates | ✅ Real-time | ✅ Real-time |
| Customer Service | 🟢 Responsive via email & social | 🟡 Mixed reviews on support |
Buy&Ship offers a more intuitive experience, especially for first-time users in Singapore.
✅ Pros & Cons Summary
Buy&Ship Pros:
- No membership or service fees
- Clear pricing per lb
- Free 30-day storage and consolidation
- Proxy shopping option for Japan/ Korea/ Taiwan/ Canada/ US/ UK/ Hong Kong/ China
- Optimized for Asian shoppers
Buy&Ship Cons:
- Limited to 11 warehouse countries
- Heavier items may incur higher fees per lb
Shop and Ship Pros:
- Access to 30+ countries
- More niche warehouse options (e.g., UAE, Turkey)
- Reliable logistics via Aramex
Shop and Ship Cons:
- Annual membership fee
- Less transparency on customs and delivery fees
- No proxy shopping feature
🛍️ Which One is Better for Singapore Shoppers?
If you frequently shop from Japan, Korea, US, or UK retailers (like Amazon, Rakuten, Qoo10, or YesStyle), Buy&Ship is the better choice. You’ll enjoy:
- Lower costs without hidden service or subscription fees
- A localized app and support system
- Easy package tracking and consolidation
- Ability to shop from proxy-only platforms in Japan and Korea
On the other hand, if you’re sourcing goods from less common regions (like Turkey or the Middle East), Shop and Ship may be worth exploring — just be sure to factor in the extra fees.
For most Singapore-based shoppers, Buy&Ship offers the best overall value for international parcel forwarding. The pricing is simple, the service is reliable, and the platform is made for savvy online buyers who love shopping from overseas without the hassle.
So whether you’re hunting for deals on Amazon US, Korean skincare, or Japanese collectibles — Buy&Ship makes global shopping easy and affordable.