If you’ve ever added a product to your cart and seen “Free Shipping to Singapore” highlighted in bold—chances are, you were thrilled. No more international shipping headaches, right?
But here’s the truth most shoppers overlook: “Free international shipping” often comes with hidden costs—higher product prices, inflated regional markups, and exclusions from local promotions.
In this guide, we break down why direct shipping isn’t always the smartest choice, and how savvy Singaporean shoppers are using Buy&Ship to save more while shopping globally.
💡 The Catch Behind “Free Shipping to Singapore”
Let’s face it—seeing “Ships to SG for Free” on a global website feels like a win. But here’s what many don’t realize:
1. Higher Product Prices for SG Shoppers
Many global retailers apply region-based pricing, meaning that if you browse from Singapore:
- Prices may appear 15%–30% higher than what shoppers see in the US, UK, or Japan.
- Flash deals or regional coupons available in other countries often don’t apply to the SG version of the site.
💬 Example: That $50 serum might show up as S$90 in the SG version—despite being “free shipping eligible.”
2. Expensive or Slower “Free” Delivery
Even if a site offers free international shipping:
- Delivery may take 2–4 weeks using slower services.
- Tracking can be unreliable.
- Some platforms charge high import handling or tax prepayment fees that increase total cost.
3. Limited Access to Local Discounts or Bundles
Certain items or collections are exclusive to local markets. If you’re viewing the SG version, you might miss:
- Buy-1-get-1 local deals
- Country-specific sales (e.g., US Black Friday, Japan Golden Week)
- Loyalty point programs not supported for international buyers
🚀 Enter Buy&Ship: Your Smart Forwarding Alternative
Buy&Ship helps Singaporean shoppers bypass inflated SG-facing prices and international shipping fees by giving you access to local warehouse addresses in 11 countries, including:
🇺🇸 USA | 🇬🇧 UK | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇰🇷 Korea | 🇮🇹 Italy｜🇨🇦Canada｜🇭🇰Hong Kong｜🇹🇼Taiwan｜🇨🇳China｜🇹🇭Thailand｜🇦🇺Australia
You shop as if you’re a local, send your purchases to a nearby warehouse, and Buy&Ship forwards them to your SG doorstep.
🔄 Why Forwarding Can Be Better Than “Free Shipping”
| Feature | Direct SG Shipping | Buy&Ship Parcel Forwarding |
|---|---|---|
| Product pricing | Regionally marked up | Local/domestic pricing |
| Promo/discount access | Limited by IP/location | Full local discounts available |
| Shipping cost | Often hidden or overpriced | Transparent weight-based fees |
| Consolidation of multiple orders | ❌ Usually not possible | ✅ Yes |
| Delivery speed & tracking | Varies greatly | Consistent and trackable |
💸 Buy&Ship Shipping Fees (Singapore)
| Weight | Buy&Ship Standard |
|---|---|
| First 1 lb | S$9 |
| Each add’l lb | S$7 |
| Optional UPS | S$10 base + S$6/lb |
🧠 No handling fees. No commission. Just clear, affordable rates.
🔐 Bonus: More Control and Security
Using Buy&Ship also means:
- 🧾 Transparent tax declaration tools
- 📦 Free consolidation for multi-site hauls
- 🧍♀️ No forced courier upgrades or hidden charges
- 🔄 30-day free storage at each warehouse, so you can wait for other parcels
🌍 Popular Sites That “Ship to SG”—But Might Cost More
| Platform | SG Shipping Option | Buy&Ship Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| ASOS | Yes (SG site) | Yes (UK) |
| iHerb | Yes | Yes (optional) |
| Uniqlo | Some regions | Yes (Japan, US) |
| Amazon | Limited SG items | Yes (US/UK) |
| StyleKorean | Yes, higher price | Yes (KR) |
| Glossier | No SG shipping | Yes (US) |
💬 Even when shipping is “free,” it pays to compare the local pricing via Buy&Ship.
🧭 How to Use Buy&Ship in 4 Easy Steps
- Sign Up Free at www.buyandship.com.sg
- Shop on any site (Amazon, ASOS, Gmarket, Uniqlo JP, etc.)
- Send items to your assigned local warehouse
- Declare, consolidate, and ship to SG
Total control. Transparent pricing. Massive product access.
✅ Final Verdict: Don’t Settle for “Free” That Costs More
While free direct shipping sounds great on the surface, Singaporean shoppers should look deeper. You may be paying in other ways—via inflated product prices, slow delivery, or missed discounts.
With Buy&Ship, you unlock access to:
- Lower domestic pricing
- Region-exclusive products
- Faster, flexible shipping at lower rates
👉 Join over 1 million users in Asia who are shipping smarter.
Sign up today at www.buyandship.com.sg