Amazon to Singapore Buying & Shipping Guide

Submitted by  Teoh Yi Chie on  April 10, 2009 - 1:20 pm

(May 2014 update: Shipping charges are checked to be up to date.)

This guide is written for Singaporeans or those living in Singapore.

It should help you decide whether to buy from Amazon. I have bought items from all Amazon branches except from China, Italy and Spain branches.

For buying digital content like mp3, ebooks, etc, read Guide on buying Amazon Digital Content Outside of US.

1. Introduction

Why buy from Amazon?

1. Even after including shipping cost, some items are still cheaper than local prices. This is particularly true for books and video discs from Amazon US.

2. Their variety is huge.

3. Their customer service is excellent. They have great return and refund policies. You'll have to pay for return shipping charges though.

4. There is no GST if your package (including shipping cost) is under SGD$400. If you want to get SGD$600 worth of stuff, you should split them up into two orders, each under $400.

When is it not suitable to buy from Amazon?

1. If you need the item urgently. Shipping time varies. Shipment may get delayed at customs, post offices, etc.

2. They usually don't ship electronics to Singapore. Visit Amazon Global page to see products that ship globally.

To buy electronics, you can use services like vPost, Comgateway or Borderlinx (Citibank card users only) who act as third party forwarder to ship your items to Singapore. Amazon.com surface shipping is free for certain dollar amount so you just have to pay for the forwarder's shipping charges. I once paid $25 to vPost to ship a software package, the size of 3 CD cases, which is very expensive. For Comgateway, it's US$23 to ship a Kindle and case.

3. Generally, the more expensive the item is in Singapore, the more you'll save from Amazon. When price differences are small, it's not worth the effort and you should support local retailers instead.

2. The different Amazon branches

Let's talk specifically about each Amazon branch. The shipping charges listed below are all meant for shipments to Singapore.

(box) is a per shipment charge, (item) is per item. There can be many items in one box shipment.

Sometimes Amazon might ship items in separate shipments (at their cost). It happens when your items come from different fulfillment centres.

Also listed are the sales tax, which is only applicable to their local residence. You can deduct the sales tax from the listed price. For example, for a $100 Euro book from Amazon Germany (sales tax of 7%), you'll only need to pay $93 Euro. Shipping charges still remain the same.

Amazon.com (source)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • AmazonGlobal Saver 17-31 days (only to Singapore and India)
    Free for purchases above US$125 in value, typically for items such as books, discs, and selected items
  • Standard Shipping 17-31 days
    Books - US4.99 (box) - US4.99 (item)
    Disc - US4.99 (box) - US3.99 (item)
  • Expedited Shipping 12-19 days
    Books - US13.99 (box) - US5.99 (item)
    Disc - US13.99 (box) - US3.99 (item)
  • Priority Shipping 3-7 days
    Books - US29.99 (box) - US5.99 (item)
    Disc - US29.99 (box) - US3.99 (item)

I've had rare occasions where boxes take two months to arrive.

Generally, the more expensive a book is in Singapore, the cheaper it is in USA. It depends on currency rates of course.

Bulky or heavy items have additional surcharges. Anything more than 5 pounds (2.26kg) is considered heavy. The weight surcharges are as follows:

  • Standard Shipping - US1.99/lb
  • Expedited Shipping - US1.99/lb
  • Priority Shipping - US2.49/lb

So if you are shipping a 5lb (2.2kg) item, that would translate to an extra US$9.95.

Amazon.co.uk (source) - (Sales tax: 16% for electronics)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • Standard airmail 7 - 10 days
    Books - UK5.49 (box) - UK2.99 (item)
    Disc - UK2.09 (box) - UK1.49 (item)
  • Expedited Shipping 5 - 10 days
    UK10.99 (box) + UK4.99 per kg
  • Priority Express 2-4 days
    UK19.99 (box) plus
    Disc - UK1.99
    Books - UK2.49
    Others - UK4.99 per kg

Sometimes books here are cheaper than on Amazon US. This price difference is due to exchange rates and often the book distribution agreement. Their per item shipping charge is lower.

The delivery is about 10-14 days, from my experience with Standard airmail.

Amazon.ca (source)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • Standard 8-12 weeks
    Books - CA9.99 (box) - CA5.49 (item)
    Disc - CA4.99 (box) - CA2.49 (item)
  • Expedited 2-4 weeks
    Books - CA15.99 (box) - CA8.99 (item)
    Disc - CA9.99 (box) - CA3.99 (item)
  • Priority 3-7 days
    Books - CA19.99 (box) - CA9.99 (item)
    Disc - CA19.99 (box) - CA4.99 (item)

If you're not going for Priority shipping, the shipping time is very long. The per-item shipping charge is quite high.

Amazon.de (source) - (Sales tax: 7% for normal products, 16% for electronics)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • Standard 7-9 days
    Euro9 (box) and Euro4 per KG
  • Express 2-12 days
    Euro28 (box) and Euro8 per KG

Items sold in Europe are relatively pricey. You might be able to find some electronics that can ship direct from Amazon Germany.

The delivery is about 2 weeks, from my experience with Standard shipping.

Amazon.fr (source) - (Sales tax: 5.5% for normal products, 16% for electronics)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • Standard 12-15 days
    Euro12 (box) - Euro1.50 (item)
  • Priority 7-14 days
    Euro14 (box) - Euro6 per KG
  • Lightning 2-4 days
    Euro28 (box) - Euro9 per KG

Again, items in Europe are pricey. In addition to box charges, standard shipping has per-item charges, and express shipping has per-KG charges.

Amazon.it (source)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • Standard 12-15 days
    Euro14 (box) + Euro5 per KG
  • Express 2-6 days
    Euro25 (box) + Euro5 per KG

Items from Amazon Italy are also quite pricey. I've not bought here so I can't comment on the shipping time.

Amazon.es (source)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • Standard 12-15 days
    Euro14 (box) + Euro4 per KG
  • Express 2-6 days
    Euro20 (box) + Euro9 per KG

Items from Amazon Spain are quite pricey. I've not bought here so I can't comment on the shipping time. The standard and express shipping times are the same but at different charges.

Amazon.co.jp (source) - (Sales tax: 5%)

Shipping charges and delivery times:

  • International Express 2-5 business days
    Per shipment - 600 yen (box)
    Books - 400 yen (item)
    Discs - 300 yen (item)

The only shipping option is International Express. The per shipment charge is expensive, but per item charge is relatively cheap.

Shipping is very fast. I've the shipping date confirmation on a Friday and it was here next Monday.

In general, the Japanese books in Kino are 20-30% more expensive than Amazon Japan (with per item charge but no per box added). Buying from Kino means you don't have to pay the hefty per shipment charge. Again, if you're buying a few books, Kino's price doesn't look very good already.

Amazon third party merchants

If Amazon doesn't ship the item you want overseas, try the Amazon third party merchants. Merchants who can ship overseas will indicate on their page with "international shipping available". Each merchant has their own shipping rates and time. Generally, their shipping is more expensive than Amazon.

There's no consolidation orders for different items even if bought from the same merchant. E.g. If you buy a book and a DVD from a merchant, it will be shipped out in two boxes, and hence there will be two per-box charges.

3. Examples on calculating shipping charges

I shall use Amazon US shipping rates, the Standard Shipping, for these examples. Price of the items are not included.

For an order of 1 book:
US4.99 (box) + US4.99 (item)

2 books:
US4.99 (box) + (2 x US4.99) (item)

2 discs:
US4.99 (box) + (2 x US3.99) (item)

1 book, 1 disc:
US4.99 (box) + US4.99 (book) + US3.99 (disc)

The box charge, or per shipment charge, is always there.

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 27 May 2011 - 12:46

How should a singapore address be keyed into Amazon's system? Is it the usual way we write it in singapore (Block, Street/Avenue, Unit No. and Postal Code) or is there a special way? Also, if I wish to purchase second hand books, must I only select sellers who offer singapore as a shipping destination?

Teoh Yi Chie Fri, 27 May 2011 - 14:07

@Anonymous
It's the usual way of writing address.

If you're buying stuff from third party merchants on Amazon, you should look through the list of merchants who display that they provide international shipping.

Pauline (not verified) Sun, 12 Jun 2011 - 00:13

Hi Baldwin,

Any update about shipping your camera to Singapore? I'm about to purchase one from Amazon.com too but when i read the list of items that cannot be exported out of US, the camera with the batteries is one of them. How do you resolve this?

Thanks

Jim (not verified) Sun, 12 Jun 2011 - 22:01

Hello Parka,
I am interested in buying some dvds from amazon. Problem is that these movies (pulp fiction, kill bill vol.1) are rated R(A) in Singapore. Movies rated R(A) are excluded from video releases here so there is no way of buying them locally. Is it illegal if I buy these dvds from amazon? Will these packages be held up at customs and might I get fined?
Thanks

Teoh Yi Chie Mon, 13 Jun 2011 - 10:50

@Jim
They usually do not check what's inside the box. So I don't know if it's illegal to import them in.

@Josef
Amazon UK doesn't ship electronics direct to Singapore. You have to use a third party mail forwarder (e.g. VPost), but the shipping then will be quite expensive because the box is going to huge and heavy. It's not worthwhile to get the XBox 360 from overseas. Not sure how the warranty works also.

Kenneth (not verified) Sat, 18 Jun 2011 - 13:42

Hi Parka, I have bought numerous books from amazon's used books. They cost usually under US$2 each but cost US$13 each to ship here and US$4 if ship within the USA. My question is - is there a cheaper alternative to ship the books back here in sg? Will shipping the books from Amazon to a US relative, and have her pack them into a box and shipping to sg be cheaper? I buy about 10 photography books monthly and thought I should try and save some of the US$130 monthly if possible. Usually my buys are hardcovers and weigh 1.6 to1.9kg. Many thanks in advance

Kenneth (not verified) Sat, 18 Jun 2011 - 13:45

Just to add, time it takes to arrive is not an issue. 2 to 3 months are ok

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 18 Jun 2011 - 17:20

Hey,

Just wanted to know if I can use my credit card to pay for the items but have it shipped to my friend's address instead?

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 21 Jun 2011 - 18:12

Hello, i am thinking of buying baking books about 6 and some bakeware like tins and cupcake pans do you think i should buy from amazon.de or amazon us? You did mention that the germany website do not have per item fee right, so does it mean that if i buy from there i can save more?

Teoh Yi Chie Tue, 21 Jun 2011 - 21:23

@Anonymous
It depends on whether your items can be shipped direct from Amazon, instead of through third party merchants. Remember to deduct 7% sales tax from the Amazon Germany's listed price.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 21 Jun 2011 - 22:20

Is the 7% sales tax is included in the price already ? I am thinking of buying used book , so if the seller able to ship to Singapore it helps to reduce cost right?
sorry for asking so much thanks alot!

Johhny (not verified) Mon, 27 Jun 2011 - 17:44

Never use Vpost for UK Amazon purchase they charge extra for Volumetric plus base charge so it is very costly! I was ripped off by Vpost UK.

They also does not tell you about the huge costs so never use them.

draktvin (not verified) Tue, 28 Jun 2011 - 01:11

Hi, I bought books from amazon. and from the tracking order, the books should have come here 2 days ago. But, the package haven't show up. There's no notification from amazon or singpost as well.

How do I check where the package is?
Thanks

jacob (not verified) Tue, 28 Jun 2011 - 23:22

hi Parka, I am thinking of buying a watch from Amazon.com, this would be my first time...is there any way that you can help me purchase this item? I'll be very grateful...i'll pass you the money and when the item arrives, ill collect from you. Wouldn't mind to pay you a lil bit more for helping.Thanks!

Teoh Yi Chie Tue, 28 Jun 2011 - 23:50

@draktvin
Delays with international shipping is very common. The delivery dates Amazon provides are just estimates. You should wait a few more days and then email Amazon (they will ask you to wait a few more days too).

@jacob
You can email me the Amazon URL to teohyc at gmail.com

kimittza (not verified) Mon, 11 Jul 2011 - 00:57

Hi i recently bought books from amazon n i am in singapore. Do i need to sign or something when the item is delivered? because it was paid by my friend *from overseas* credit card. So i am not sure if i need to show ID or sign that is required to check or whatsoever to complete the delivery. D:

kimittza (not verified) Mon, 11 Jul 2011 - 06:15

Oh yeah and a add, IF it requires signature or so, Which one does it have it? Standard, Expedite or Prior? (Hope I spell it right)

Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 16 Jul 2011 - 12:11

Hi parka,
Need some help here.

1. I bought an item from amazon.com and had it shipped to vpost at US oregon side.
2. Later I found that the item is incomplete (by weight provided by VPOST).
3. I decide to return the item to seller (marketplace merchant). VPOST require a return label and the seller wasn't able to provide one. VPOST suggest arranging for a courier pickup using DHL and FEDEX.
4. I tried DHL and FEDEX. Both said that they dun do domestic delivery (even from a state to another state in US). They only do intercontinental.
5. I even register with USPS. But USPS only allow payment thru US issued credit card. Debit card registered in Singapore can't work.
* The item has been stuck in oregon for a long time.

Can u recommend a courier service prehaps that allow payment thru paypal.

Many thanks.

Doreen (not verified) Mon, 18 Jul 2011 - 08:29

Hi there, Parka!

You are amazingly patient! Yours is a marvelous and truly helpful blog here...
Thank you very much!

All the very best!
Doreen

Teoh Yi Chie Mon, 18 Jul 2011 - 10:45

@Anonymous
If you bought it from Amazon marketplace, contact Amazon and they should provide you with the return label.

As for the courier service, you should ask VPOST. I don't believe they have never handle returns before, or don't know of any service.

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 18 Jul 2011 - 21:53

Hi parka,

Thanks for the reply. VPOST can handle returns provided u give them a return label.
Unfortunately, the stupid amazon market place seller wouldn't able to provide a return label and asked me to ship back to him at US post office media rate.

I'm trapped by both sides. Amazon has a "returns center" feature. But in the end, the process lead me to the seller's contact page.
I remember, I have tried playing with the returns centre and indeed there was a return label in image format. But that was a seller FULFILLED BY AMAZON.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 19 Jul 2011 - 14:18

Hi Parka,

I just made an order of Blu-Ray disc from Amazon over the weekend. I was wondering once the shipment arrives in Singapore, does it need to go through screening by the Singapore Censorship Board before it is released to me? And is there any sales tax/duty that I have to pay to the Singapore customs or government? The order is purely for personal use, not for re-sell.

Thank you

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 19 Jul 2011 - 18:22

Thank you very much on the prompt reply. My current shipment is below $400 (you're referring to USD or SGD). But might have shipment over US$400 in the near future, lots of blu-ray that I wanted such as Star Wars Saga, Jurassic Park Trilogy and many more, that will be shipped at the same time. What must I do should my shipment goes beyond $400? Do I need to obtain special permit from the MDA/Custom?

Thank you

Teoh Yi Chie Tue, 19 Jul 2011 - 19:10

@Anonymous
Amazon will collect the GST in advance if your order is over SGD$400. You don't have to do anything.

You can make your purchases via any Amazon link on my blog for support.
I get a little commission for products shipped, at no extra cost on your side of course.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 19 Jul 2011 - 22:20

Awesome...thanks

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 28 Jul 2011 - 21:24

Hi Parka
I am interested in buying a Camera from amazon, it cost around 1,000 Singapore Dollars, though interest rate is quite high but that is not the main problem. I am worried that it can't be ship over here(singapore)...Is it possible for it to ship over here? :(

Qwerty (not verified) Mon, 01 Aug 2011 - 23:04

Hi, i ordered 2 books from amazon on 8th jul and finally got notification from amazon a week later to inform me that the parcel has left its facility and est arrival is on 3rd aug. Since were 3 records of the parcel with the last record on 16 jul departing new jersey. There isnt any update for the last 2 weeks and i am starting to wonder if the books are still coming on the 3rd. Is the lapse in shipment updates a norm? From your experience do u think the parcel is going to be delayed? I am dying to lay my hands on the new books.

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03 Aug 2011 - 17:33

Hey Parka,

Can you help me with this>>If I want to purchase an electronic item from amazon, I will have to first create a amazon account, after, i will have to create another account for the third party forwarder and ask them for an address in the US, then i use that address they give to fill up the shipping address and afterwards what i do?
Correct me if i am wrong in the steps above.
Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated.

Joe (not verified) Tue, 09 Aug 2011 - 00:32

Hi Praka,
Have you encounter problems with importing computer software, bluetooth earpiece before? I recently purchased a bluetooth earpiece and was told that because the item contain either batt/speaker will not be allow in Spore. Is that true? Thanks.

Teoh Yi Chie Tue, 09 Aug 2011 - 00:54

@Joe
Yes, certain electronics, typically those that have batteries, do not ship internationally. Software licenses are largely tied to countries where they are released, so they do not ship internationally also.

You can have Amazon mail them to a third party forwarder, and then have them send to Singapore.

Jitendra (not verified) Sun, 14 Aug 2011 - 20:20

Hi Parka
I ordered a viewsonic tablet from amazon yesterday. I used the Shipping address provided by comgateway. I used a DBS singapore credit card for payment so I entered the bill address as the singapore address on my credit card. But today I received a mail from address-verification@amazon.com that my account is on hold.
They are asking me to fax a copy of the billing statement associated with the credit card.
Have you faced this issue before. What do you suggest I do.

Thanks
Jitendra

Teoh Yi Chie Sun, 14 Aug 2011 - 20:54

@Jitendra
You should just send them what they want.

I've not faced this issue before with Amazon. But with one other retailer, they did ask for a copy of my utilities bill (I use my Internet bill) with my address.

Ally (not verified) Mon, 22 Aug 2011 - 12:13

Hi, I'm actually planning to purchase individual Studio Ghibli's DVD. And there's around 15 items altogether.

I'm not exactly clear how amazon works.
Some seller sells the items at Euro 5.99, and some sells it at Euro 14.99. Such a huge difference! Can I trust the cheaper seller?

Think I should buy on Amazon at all?

kiril (not verified) Mon, 22 Aug 2011 - 14:15

If you need to buy and get htings through .Use webskyme.com.They will repackage purchase or ship for you exactly the way u want things and they are free andvery reliable

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