Custom Clearance for Sea Freight

kennysjq

hi there, i am expecting a shipment arriving through sea freight soon and would like to seek help or contacts in getting my items cleared and delivered to me.

my supplier has sent the items from door-to-port and are unable to provide door-to-door service.

i am thus looking for someone who has the experience in this, and possibly a contact to look for.

any help will be appreciated, thanks

Across

Hi kennysjq,

You could arrange a freight forwarder to clear the cargoes for you. You could get a list of their contacts from the yellow pages, call them or email them and request for quotation on goods shipping to Singapore on C&F or CIF term. Usually the charges won't have much difference among the freight forwarders. I know of a few freight forwarders, if you are interested I could give you their contacts.

But kennysijq is this the first time you are dealing with this supplier? Which country is this supplier from? Do you know the supplier well? Have they already shipped the goods?

Regards

pushcart1981

Hi Across,

Saw your reply to Kenny. I'll be importing some goods from China. Would you be able to give me the freight forwarders that you've used before to me?

How much is their charges? And will government charge GST on the goods?

Thanks!

Pushcart1981

Across

Hi Pushcart1981,

I have pm you the freight forwarders contact numbers.

The cost of shipment will be based on your shipment size, example, FCL(Full Container Load) or LCL (Less Than Container Load). The minimum shipping cost of importing goods from China should be $400++ based on LCL shipment and is subject to 7% of GST based on commercial invoice value.

Regarding your question on GST, anything that you import from overseas with the invoice value above S$400 is subject to 7% GST and this excludes importing of liquors and tobacco. If your commercial invoice value is less than S$400, then you need not pay the 7% GST.

Regards

pushcart1981

Hi Accross,

I've received the info. Thank you so much for the valuable information.

I've another question, is it better to ask my supplier give me FOB or CIF?
CIF is inclusive of freight charge & insurance. In the event I asked for CIF price, I still need a freight forwarder to help me to collect the goods right?
In this case, will the fee be a lot cheaper?

Thanks!

Across

Hi pushcart1981,

Yes you are right, you will still need a freight forwarder to clear your cargo under CIF term.

To know if FOB or CIF helps to save cost, you may ask your supplier to quote you both FOB and CIF price. At the same time you may also ask your freight forwarder to quote you the cost of shipment under both FOB and CIF terms and from there you should be able to see any price difference.

In my case I would prefer FOB term, especially if it is the first time dealing with the supplier unless I know the supplier well. Some suppliers are not very honest and some are even scams, they don't even send you goods after you have paid them. If it is the first shipment with this supplier, I would prefer to minimise any payment to my supplier just in case they aren't trustworthy.

relphonn

pm me for detail.
i can provide you with door to door service air/sea freight.