Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from Singapore to the United States

Singapore and the United States have a thriving trade relationship, with the U.S. being one of Singapore's top trading partners. The United States is a major market for Singapore's exports, particularly in the areas of electronics and machinery. Some of the other products that Singapore exports to the United States include pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, and foodstuffs.

The close trade relationship between Singapore and the United States is underpinned by strong economic ties. And if you are thinking about shipping from Singapore to the U.S., it's a good venture to tap into. But before that, you need to know everything you can about the shipping process, your options, and more.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Singapore to the United States?

There are a few options available for shipping freight from Singapore to the United States, including ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From Singapore to the United States

If you're shipping goods from Singapore to the United States, ocean freight is likely the most economical option. The journey will take several weeks, but it's a reliable method of transport that can handle large shipments.

Ocean freight further has two modes of shipping, less than container load and full container load. 

Regardless of the size of your business or the amount of freight you need to move, LCL shipping is a great option for international shipping. LCL shipping, or less than container load shipping, allows you to ship your freight without having to fill an entire container. This type of shipping is perfect for businesses that have small shipments or don’t have enough product to fill an entire container.

FCL is a type of container shipping in which a standard-sized shipping container holds all of the cargo. FCL is generally used for shipments of more than 15 cubic meters or 500 cubic feet. FCL is typically more expensive than less-than-container load (LCL) shipping, but it offers several benefits.

Air Freight from Singapore to the United States

Air freight from Singapore to the United States is a reliable and efficient way to transport goods. There are many companies that offer this service, and it is typically very affordable. The transit time is usually quite short, and there are typically no delays or issues with customs clearance.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Singapore to the United States?

It can cost quite a bit of money to ship cargo from Singapore to the United States. The price will depend on the following: 

• 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

To determine your shipping costs, use our online freight costs calculator. Additionally, you can find the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from Singapore to the US in the table below:

How long does it take to ship cargo from Singapore to the United States?

The time it takes to ship goods from Singapore to the United States is largely dependent on the international shipping mode selected. However, the following factors also play a role:

• The season (peak or low) during which you ship
• Whether the shipment route is direct
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical instability
• Incidents that might occur at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Singapore to the United States?

The average time it takes to ship cargo by sea from Singapore to the United States is about 15 to 50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Singapore to the United States?

When shipping cargo by air from Singapore to the United States, it usually takes about 2-8 days for the shipment to arrive. 

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

Customs Clearance in Singapore and the United States

The process of customs clearance can be complex, and it is important to understand the requirements of both countries before importing goods. Here are the documents required for customs clearance:

• 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

For examples of the required customs clearance documents, view our full documents list.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is often cheaper than air freight, which can make it a good option for businesses on a budget. There is also more capacity available for shipping via ocean freight, which means that you're less likely to experience delays due to a lack of space.

Ocean freight generally takes longer than air freight, but it can still be a faster option than other methods like ground shipping.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Less than container load (LCL) shipping is right for you if your cargo is:

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL freight shipping is right for you if your cargo is:

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

The main advantage of air freight is that it is the fastest way to transport goods from one place to another. For example, if you need to get a shipment of goods from Singapore to the United States, it would take much longer by ship or ground transportation. Air freight is also relatively safe and secure since most shipments are insured against loss or damage.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using air freight. First of all, it is generally more expensive than other methods of transportation. This is because airfreight companies have to pay higher fuel and maintenance costs. 

In addition, airfreight can be subject to delays due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Finally, Airfreight shipments can be more likely to be damaged or lost due to the rough handling that often occurs during loading and unloading.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in Singapore 

Port of Singapore

Located in Southeast Asia, the Port of Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world. It consists of over 200 berths and can accommodate up to 15,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers. It is also home to a large shipyard and repair facilities.

The Port of Singapore is an important hub for maritime trade in Asia. It is located at the crossroads of major shipping routes and provides connectivity to over 600 ports in 120 countries. The port handles a range of cargoes, including containerized cargo, break bulk cargo, and liquid bulk cargo.

Jurong Port

Jurong Port is one of the busiest ports in Singapore, handling a large number of containers and other cargoes. The port is located on the southwestern tip of Singapore, at the confluence of the Johor Straits and the Singapore Strait.

Jurong Port was established in 1965 and has since undergone several expansion projects to accommodate the increasing trade volume. The port currently has a capacity of over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Keppel Harbour

Keppel Harbour is a harbour located in Singapore. It is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling over 200 million tonnes of cargo per year. The harbour is also home to a large shipyard and repair industry.

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States 

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling over $200 billion in trade each year. The port is located in San Pedro Bay, just south of downtown Los Angeles. It covers 7,500 acres of land and water, and has 43 miles of waterfront. The port handles a wide variety of cargo, including containers, vehicles, bulk commodities, and breakbulk cargo.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest container port in the United States, behind only the Port of Los Angeles. Located in Southern California on the Pacific Ocean, the port is a major gateway for trade between the United States and Asia. 

The port is situated on roughly 3,200 acres of land and consists of three main shipping terminals: Terminal Island, Middle Harbor, and Pier T. The port also has a number of supporting facilities, including warehouses, storage tanks, and rail yards.

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is one of the busiest ports in the world, handling over 4 million containers each year. It is located on the Savannah River, which forms the border between Georgia and South Carolina. The port is a major economic driver for both states, supporting over 280,000 jobs in the region. It is also a key player in the global supply chain, as it is home to many large container ships that transport goods around the world.

Air Freight from Singapore to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Singapore 

Changi Airport

Changi Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 100 million passengers and 5 million tonnes of cargo every year. The airport is a major hub for more than 80 airlines from around the globe and offers a comprehensive range of passenger and cargo services.

As a leading airfreight hub in Asia, Changi Airport handles a wide variety of cargo, from perishable goods to high-value items such as electronics and pharmaceuticals. The airport offers various facilities and services to support the smooth handling of cargo, including on-site customs clearance, temperature-controlled storage, and 24/7 operations.

Singapore Seletar Airport

Singapore Seletar Airport is an airport located in the town of Seletar, Singapore. The airport is managed by Changi Airport Group and serves as a cargo hub for Singapore Airlines Cargo.

The airport has a total land area of 1,300 hectares and a runway length of 2,700 metres. It is equipped with a modern air traffic control tower, and automated landing systems and has the capacity to handle wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

As a cargo hub, the airport handles a variety of cargoes including perishables, dangerous goods, live animals and general freight. It is also home to Singapore's first animal quarantine facility which can accommodate up to 500 pets per day.

Airports of arrival in the United States 

ORD International Airport (Chicago)

As one of the busiest airports in the world, ORD International Airport (Chicago) offers a variety of cargo services to meet the needs of its customers. From small packages to large shipments, ORD has the ability to handle a wide range of cargo.

DFW International Airport (Dallas/Fort Worth)

DFW International Airport (Dallas/Fort Worth) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over two million tons of cargo each year. The airport offers a variety of cargo services, including airfreight, ground transportation, warehousing, and value-added services.

Airfreight is the most popular form of cargo transportation at DFW International Airport, accounting for over 60% of all cargo traffic. The airport offers a variety of airfreight services, including express and overnight service, as well as traditional freight service.

DEN International Airport (Denver)

DEN International Airport (Denver) is one of the busiest cargo airports in the United States. It is a hub for UPS and FedEx, and it also serves as a stopover point for many other airlines. The airport has over two million square feet of cargo handling space, and it handles more than 1.5 million tons of cargo each year.

The airport offers a wide range of cargo services, including airfreight, ground transportation, warehousing, and logistics. It also has a dedicated customs area and a 24-hour security operation.