Exporting & Importing to Singapore: Emerging Market Guide

Singapore’s most popular online marketplaces¹⁰

(As of March 2025)

Most popular online product categories¹¹

In 2024, these were the biggest selling categories (by revenue) on Singapore’s leading e-commerce platform, Shopee.

These top categories reflect the diverse shopping habits of Singaporean consumers, who increasingly turn to online platforms for everything from gadgets to personal care and DIY projects.
 

Preferred payment methods for online purchases¹²

Providing popular local payment methods at checkout builds trust with international customers and increases the likelihood they’ll complete their purchase.

Leading e-commerce payment methods in Singapore (2023):

Singapore’s biggest shopping events
 

Great Singapore Sale

Also known as 6.6 and 7.7, this is the biggest sales event in the Singaporean retail calendar.  

Black Friday & Cyber Monday

This global sales bonanza is held at the end of November. Consumers flock online looking for big deals. 

Cinderella Shoppers

Shopee’s latest campaign caters to night owls with a special shopping event designed just for late-night buyers. Discounts are unlocked daily between midnight and 2AM. 

Singles’ Day (11.11 Sale Singapore)

Originally started in China, the event has grown into a major e-commerce phenomenon across Southeast Asia. Shoppers can expect massive discounts and time-limited flash sales.

Cultural and Festivities Sales

In the lead-up to national holidays like Chinese New Year and Hari Raya, platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon offer special promotions on gifts, home decor, fashion, and food items to celebrate the festive season.

Customs and import regulations for exporting to Singapore
 

• Singapore Customs applies a 9% tax on all shipments. This is known as ‘GST’ (Goods and Services Tax). Some goods also incur duty — see the below section for more on this. 
• Before your business can start to import and export goods to Singapore, you need to obtain a UEN number by registering with Singapore Customs.  
• All goods imported into Singapore are regulated under the Customs Act, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act and the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act. 
• Regardless of the bulk of your shipment, it must have the necessary documentation. You can find out exactly what documents are required for shipping to Singapore here, this includes the Air Waybill (AWB) and the shipping invoice. 
• From 1 January 2023, new rules were introduced for low-value goods (S$400 or below) imported into Singapore via air or post. Previously, these goods weren’t subject to GST when purchased from overseas, but now they are, ensuring consistent GST treatment for all goods sold to Singaporean consumers, whether bought locally or internationally. GST remains payable at the point of import for goods valued above S$400 or those brought in by sea or land.
• GST has also been extended to cover both digital and non-digital services provided by GST-registered overseas suppliers. This means remote services that can be supplied and received online will now also be subject to GST.
• Once the paperwork is processed by Singapore Customs, it is then submitted to DHL Express’ network where our Certified International Specialists process the shipment, without it being physically present in Singapore. 
• Most shipments are successfully cleared once they are boarded enroute to Singapore. DHL Express’ import customs clearance processes are simple and are mandated by the local government.  
• The submission of an import declaration and payment of duty/GST to Singapore Customs is performed electronically. Business entities are encouraged to register for an Inter-Bank payment account with Singapore Customs to make this payment easier. For non-business entities, DHL can undertake the payments of duty/tax on their behalf (subject to terms and conditions) and recover the amount upon shipment delivery. 
   

Dutiable goods in Singapore

• Intoxicating liquors 
• Tobacco products 
• Motor vehicles 
• Petroleum products 

Each category incurs different duty rates. Read for more information on exact charges. 

Banned items

Some goods, such as certain types of chewing gum, cigarette lighters, firecrackers and others are completely prohibited and cannot be imported into Singapore. 

You can see the full list of prohibited items here.  
 

Exporting food

Singapore’s demand for imported food is driven by its diverse culinary scene and high purchasing power, making it an appealing market for businesses. To successfully export food to Singapore, you must follow the regulations set by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Compliance is key to avoiding penalties, which can be as high as S$5,000 for first-time offences. You can read DHL’s full guide to exporting food to Singapore to find out more.  
 

Exporting to Singapore: Official websites and useful links

Singapore Customs website: https://www.customs.gov.sg/  

Singapore Customs’ Quick Guide for Importers: https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/importing-goods/overview/  

Detailed import procedures: https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/importing-goods/import-procedures/   

DHL’s expert tips for exporting to Singapore

• Offer a seamless, hassle-free service. Be sure to use a customs broker that can take care of all the customs import and duty/tax formalities on your behalf and ensure your customers aren’t left with customs charges to pay themselves or delays to their delivery. DHL Express offers customs clearance as part of its door-to-door service.
• Clear, descriptive, and complete paperwork gives customs bodies a good idea of the contents within the shipment and also acts as a document of verification for both the shipper and consignee. 
• Stay ahead of the curve. Singapore is a highly digital-savvy country where consumer habits can shift quickly. For instance, social network TikTok only launched its shopping feature – TikTok Shop – in 2022. Would this or other emerging social selling options appeal to your customers?
• You can find the correct HS code for your shipment easily via DHL’s MyGTS (My Global Trade Services) – a free, user-friendly platform that will help you navigate many aspects of international shipping. This includes calculation of Landed Cost for goods in any country – i.e. your product cost, duties & taxes, and freight charges – enabling you to enhance your pricing strategy and give your customers transparency over shipping fees.