The trade lane between Singapore and the United States is one of the world’s most vital economic corridors. For businesses, this means vast opportunity. For logistics managers, it often means complex challenges. From navigating US Customs to decoding freight quotes, shipping from Singapore to USA requires precision, expertise, and up-to-date information.
This is especially true in 2025. Recent regulatory changes have fundamentally altered the import landscape, making a reliable logistics partner more critical than ever.
At Global Lacis Logistics, we manage this complexity so you can focus on your business. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step breakdown of the costs, timelines, and processes you need to know for shipping from Singapore to the USA this year.
🚨 Critical 2025 Update: The End of the $800 De Minimis Rule
First, a crucial update that impacts all US-bound shipments in 2025.
Previously, most shipments valued under $800 USD (known as the de minimis or Section 321 rule) could enter the US free of duties and taxes.
As of late 2025, this exemption has been suspended for many international shipments.
This is a massive change, especially for e-commerce. It means that nearly all goods shipped from Singapore to the USA, regardless of value, are now subject to duties and taxes. It also requires two new pieces of data for all shipments:
- A 10-digit Harmonised System (HS) Code for every item.
- The country of Origin for every item.
Navigating this new regulatory environment is our speciality. A misstep here can lead to costly delays, fines, or rejected shipments.
Choosing Your Shipping Method: Air vs. Sea
Your first decision will be choosing between air and sea freight. The best choice depends entirely on your budget, urgency, and volume.
✈️ Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest way to bridge the 15,000 km gap between Singapore and the USA. It’s the preferred choice for high-value, low-volume, or time-sensitive goods (like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and seasonal apparel).
Express Air Freight:
This is the premium “courier” option (e.g., DHL, FedEx, UPS). It’s the absolute fastest, ideal for small parcels and urgent documents.
Standard Air Freight:
This service is for larger commercial cargo shipped from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to major US hubs like Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), or Chicago (ORD).
🚢 Sea Freight
Sea freight is the backbone of global trade and the most cost-effective method for shipping from Singapore to USA, especially for bulk goods. Your cargo will be loaded into a container at the Port of Singapore, one of the world’s busiest, and shipped to US ports like Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, or Savannah.
Full Container Load (FCL):
You rent an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container. This is the most secure and often fastest sea freight option, as you don’t share space.
Less than Container Load (LCL):
You share container space with other shippers. This is an excellent, economical option if you don’t have enough cargo to fill a whole container. Global Lacis Logistics is a specialist in LCL consolidation, saving you money.
Quick Comparison: Air vs. Sea
| Feature | Air Freight | Sea Freight |
| Speed | 🚀 Fast (1-10 days) | 🐢 Slow (30-50 days) |
| Cost | 💰 High | ✅ Low |
| Volume | Best for low volume, Low weight | Best for high volume, heavy goods |
| Goods | High-Value, perishable, urgent | Bulk Items, Vehicles, Furniture |
🗓️ 2025 Shipping Timeline: Singapore to USA
“How long will it take?” is always the first question. Here are the realistic door-to-door timelines you can expect in 2025, which include customs clearance and inland delivery.
- Express Air Freight: 1–5 business days
- Standard Air Freight: 5–10 business days
- Sea Freight (LCL & FCL): 30–50 days
Note: Sea freight timelines depend heavily on the destination port. Shipments to the US West Coast (e.g., Los Angeles) are typically 5-10 days faster than to the US East Coast (e.g., New York).
💸 2025 Shipping Cost: Singapore to USA
Shipping costs are volatile and depend on fuel prices, seasonal demand, weight, and volume. The quotes below are 2025 estimates to help you budget.
Disclaimer: These prices are estimates. For a precise, all-inclusive quote tailored to your cargo, contact Global Lacis Logistics directly.
- Express Air Freight: ~$15–$25 per kg
- Standard Air Freight: ~$9–$22 per kg
Best for shipments over 150 kg, where it becomes cheaper than express.
Sea Freight (LCL): ~$40–$70 per cubic meter (CBM)
Ideal for palletised goods or shipments between 1 and 15 CBM.
Sea Freight (FCL):
40-foot Container (West Coast): ~$2,200 – $3,000
40-foot Container (East Coast): ~$3,500 – $5,000
The Incoterms you agree on with your buyer/supplier (e.g., FOB, EXW, DDP) will also determine which parts of this cost you are responsible for.
Your Step-by-Step Shipping Process
Here is the typical journey your goods will take, and how Global Lacis Logistics manages each step.
Step 1: Get Your Quote & Book
You provide us with the details: cargo dimensions, weight, commodity type (and HS code), and origin/destination addresses. We provide a transparent, all-in quote with no hidden fees.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documentation
This is the most critical step. You will need:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Country of Origin Certificate
- Bill of Lading (B/L) (for sea) or Air Waybill (AWB) (for air)
- Importer Security Filing (ISF) (for US sea freight, must be filed 24 hours before loading)
Our team will audit your documents to ensure they are 100% compliant with both Singaporean export and US import rules.
Step 3: Cargo Pickup & Consolidation
We arrange for your goods to be picked up from your factory or warehouse in Singapore. They are then transported to our facility for export packing, labeling, or (for LCL) consolidation.
Step 4: Export Customs Clearance
Global Lacis handles all export procedures with Singapore Customs, ensuring your goods are cleared to leave the country without delay.
Step 5: Freight Transit
Your cargo is tendered to the airline or steamship line and begins its main journey across the Pacific. We provide real-time tracking so you know where your goods are at all times.
Step 6: US Customs Clearance
This is where most shipments get stuck. Upon arrival, our US-based customs brokerage partners (or your designated broker) will file the customs entry. With the 2025 rule changes, this is more complex than ever. We ensure:
- The correct HS Codes are used.
- All duties and taxes are calculated and paid.
- The shipment is compliant with all partner government agencies (FDA, FCC, etc.).
Step 7: Final Delivery
Once cleared by US Customs, your cargo is picked up from the port or airport and trucked to its final destination, whether it’s our agents’ 3PL warehouse, an Amazon FBA centre, or a retail store.
Partner with the Experts for Your US Shipments.
Shipping from Singapore to the USA in 2025 presents new hurdles, but with a knowledgeable partner, it’s seamless. The suspension of the $800 de minimis rule has changed the game, and Global Lacis Logistics is prepared with the customs expertise and carrier network to guide you through it. Don’t let complex logistics slow your growth.
Would you like a free, no-obligation quote for your next shipment from Singapore to the USA? Talk to our experts.
