Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Canada to Singapore

Canada and Singapore are large trading partners, with the former exporting a total of $1.17 billion worth of goods in 2022, according to data from the United Nations COMTRADE. Its exports include machinery, electrical equipment, and optical, technical, and medical apparatus.

If you’re a Canadian business looking to tap into the market in Singapore, here’s everything you need to know about international shipping between the two countries.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Canada to Singapore?

Freight shipping from Canada to Singapore can be done by ocean or air freight. Both have their own benefits and disadvantages.

Freight shipping from Canada to Singapore can be done by ocean or air freight. Both have their own benefits and disadvantages.

Ocean Freight From Canada to Singapore

Ocean freight is the most economical shipping option for large and heavy cargo. It provides shippers with two shipping modes: less than container load or full container load.

In LCL, the shipper’s goods are consolidated with other consignments and shipped together in one container. This makes it highly economical, as the cost is shared with other shippers. However, this also leads to LCL having longer transit times.

On the other hand, in FCL, the shipper pays the whole container fee and can ship their goods individually. This results in a faster transit time but also a higher shipping cost.

Air Freight from Canada to Singapore

Another option to ship goods from Canada to Singapore is through air freight. This mode of shipping is the first choice for shippers who need to get their goods to Singapore fast, as the transit time is relatively quick. However, air freight can also be expensive and has more limitations regarding the types of goods it can accommodate.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Canada to Singapore?

The cost to ship goods from Canada to Singapore would depend on several factors. Among these include:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Canada to Singapore:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Canada to Singapore?

The duration for shipping goods from Canada to Singapore is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Canada to Singapore?

The average time it takes to ship cargo by sea from Canada to Singapore is 15 to 50 days

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Canada to Singapore?

Shipping cargo by air from Canada to Singapore takes approximately 2-8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Canada and Singapore

Before your goods can enter Singapore, they must go through Singaporean customs. This process will require you to complete and submit the following documents:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

Check out our full documents list to learn more about these customs clearance paperwork.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight when shipping goods from Canada to Singapore depends on your needs and preferences. To help you decide, here are some things for you to consider.

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is the best choice if you’re shipping large and heavy goods to Singapore. There is a wide range of container sizes that can be used for your shipment. However, ocean freight can have long transit times, so only choose it if you don’t need your goods in Singapore at a specified time.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

If you’re shipping small goods or shipping in small quantities, LCL is the right option for you. Through this, your goods will be consolidated with consignments from other shippers, saving you more on your shipping expenses. However, make sure not to choose LCL for fragile or high-value cargo.

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL, on the other hand, is best if you’re shipping large and heavy items. This mode of shipment allows you to own the entire space inside a container, meaning your goods are shipped individually. It’s, therefore, a good choice for fragile or high-value shipments. But that also means FCL costs can quickly rack up.

Air Freight

If you need your goods in India on a specific date, your best bet is shipping them via air freight. Air freight has fast transit times and is more secure than ocean freight. However, it can get expensive, with airplane fuel and other security measures involved.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Canada

Port of Montreal

The port of Montreal serves the shipping needs of Quebec and Montreal, Canada. It provides the shortest route between North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean, solidifying its importance as one of Canada’s major ports.

Port of Halifax

The Port of Halifax has connections to 150 economies around the world and can move cargo faster than other Canadian ports. It handles two mega vessels simultaneously thanks to the extension of its berth.

Port of Saint John

The Port of Saint John in East Canada is the largest in its region. It can accommodate over 28 million metric tons of cargo, including dry, liquid, bulk, and breakbulk shipments.

Cargo ports of arrival in Singapore

Jurong Port

Jurong Port is one of the two Singaporean port operators. It handles general, bulk, and containerized shipments and caters to the country’s industrial estate. Every year, the port sees 17,000 vessels, which it accommodates in its main 32-berth terminal.

PSA Singapore Terminals

PSA Singapore Terminals comprise cargo terminals, namely Brani, Keppel, Pasir Panjang Terminal 1, Pasir Panjang Terminal 2, and Tanjong Pagar. Collectively, they span 52 berths and can handle over 35 million TEUs per year.

Air Freight from Canada to Singapore: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Canada

Gander International Airport

The Gander International Airport in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, is known as the “Crossroads of the World” due to its flight operations that go to and from Canada to other parts of the world. It operates four airlines: Air Canada Express, Exploits Valley Air, PAL Airlines, and Sunwing Airlines.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport

The Halifax Stanfield International Airport serves the rural community of Nova Scotia. It’s Canada’s sixth busiest airport by passenger traffic and handles over 84,000 aircraft movements per year.

####Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport

The Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport in New Brunswick, Canada, handles more than 122,000 aircraft movements annually. It is home to cargo operators like FedEx Express, TC Ventus Freight, and Cargojet Airways.

Airports of arrival in Singapore

Singapore Changi Airport

The Changi Airport is known as one of the largest in Asia and one of the busiest in terms of cargo traffic. It handles over 100 airlines that go to and from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Seletar Airport

The Seletar Airport is in the northeast region of Singapore, located 16 kilometers from the main airport, Changi Airport. It is a secondary airport for passengers and cargo heading to Singapore, helping reduce the load in the main airport.