Amazon to Singapore Buying & Shipping Guide

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

(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.

By the way...

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383 Comments

@Christine

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

@Christine
You can use the online tracking to arrange for the delivery.

There will be three status updates while the package is in Singapore.
1. Item has reach Singapore
2. Item is at DHL facility
3. Item is with delivery courier

When the item is at DHL facility, you can call them up to arrange the delivery before they give it to the delivery courier.

Anyway, if they deliver and you're not there, they will leave a delivery notice. You can use that notice and call up and arrange for another delivery (3 times total). I think they can hold the package for seven days.

Hi, I just came across your

Submitted by Kari M. on

Hi, I just came across your blog and I've never bought from Amazon. Am planning to buy an Xbox 360 with kinect as well as kinect games CDs. Would you. recommend I buy online or just locally I.e. Courts? if you do recommend amazon, which third party should I use to ship to Singapore? Thanks and really appreciate all the info you have provided!

I see. Where would you

Submitted by Kari M. on

I see. Where would you recommend I buy that's cheaper than department stores like Courts? I'm really clueless about these things :( Been hearing a lot of good and bad things about Sim Lim... Should I risk it?

I have a few things i'd like

Submitted by Mira on

I have a few things i'd like to ask.
I use Amazon.com.
1) the prices displayed are they automatically changed to the local currency? I coulnd't find anything that could change it back from USD/SGD. It just states $_.__

2) I'm using my POSB GO mastercard. I keep getting a prompt telling me that they couldn't assess the payment method and that I had to update my payment information.

How do I resolve this issue?

Hi Parka,

Submitted by Summer on

Hi Parka,

I'd just tried to purchase from fishpond.com which i know them from your previous comments. How they charge into my credit card without verifying the CVV2 number??
Feel unsecured shopping on that website.

Summer

@Summer

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

@Summer
I think some websites don't require the CV number, if I remember correctly.

Anyway on the page where you enter the credit card number, the URL should start with "https" and there should be an icon of a small lock somewhere near the URL, either left or right side.

Hi Parka,

Submitted by Summer on

Hi Parka,

i have problem when tried to buy some books from Amazon using comgateway(their buyforme service). Everytime i entered my order of a book in their buyforme form and tried to add into my order list, its will prompt me a msg, " Please enter a valid other instruction" , no matter how i edit it....still prompt me the same msg. What is the problem? is it because they cannot purchase from the buyer ??

Summer

@Summer

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

@Summer
I've not tried their BuyFrom service before.

Actually, it's easier and cheaper to just buy it yourself from Amazon, then ship it to ComGateway's USA address.

hi,

Submitted by Summer on

hi,

Recently just received my purchased item from comgateway, bought it from Amazon but i found the book's cover was torn at the right top corners....May i know where should i claim this? from Amazon, comgateway, or DHL ?

Summer

Hey Raymond

Submitted by winbab3 on

Hey Raymond

Awesome post! Thanks a lot.
I've been shopping on Ebay for a while and after seeing your post, I decided to give it a try. I found many cool items in there and yet the service is much more better.

I used to use Vpost, but now I'm using Parcel Zoom, a new shipping agent in USA that my friend recommended. Their customer service is perfect, the shipping is fast and at reasonable prices. Totally recommend to you and others.
Here is their website: www.parcelzoom.com

Thanks again :)
Cheers
Win

wow, thanks for your guidance

Submitted by sunuococ on

wow, thanks for your guidance!

love amazon! most of the things i buy from it are books and craft stuffs. btw, you guys know any shipping service that provides package consolidation as i am looking for something that will come in separated boxes? it will save me a lot of shipping cost if the package come in one box only.

thanks and best regards,

Sue

Hi I bought a hair crimper on

Submitted by xuan on

Hi I bought a hair crimper on June 25th and the price of it is 35SGD. In the invoice, .it stats that shipping and handling Costs12.95 SGD. also, sales tax is written as 0.00 SGD. hence I was charged $47.95 in total via MasterCard. Was just wondering is this the final payment/charge? Do i have to pay anymore when the item reaches my doorstep? Thanks so much for the info.

Hi there i am from Singapore

Submitted by Remy on

Hi there i am from Singapore , i have problem when buying a bloothspeaker after clicking basket chart
amazon says " We're sorry. This item can't be shipped to your selected destination. You may either change the shipping address or delete the item from your order." Can someone tell me what likely the problem is ?Thanks in advance.

@Remy

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

@Remy
There's no problem. Just that the item doesn't ship to Singapore from Amazon directly. Use Comgateway to forward your items. It's about US$10 per kg

Hi, I am using DBS debit

Submitted by Kairi on

Hi, I am using DBS debit cards, Amazon never asked me for the 3 digit CVV code, just entered the 16 digit code at the front of the mastercard debit. Is that all that is needed? no need CVV code for the order to go through?

Hi...thanks very much for all

Submitted by karen teo on

Hi...thanks very much for all yr info which is so useful.
I would like to purchase a breadmaker which is approx usd125 so shipping is free?
I am also wondering if they will change the voltage to the required sg standard. Do you have any idea.

Thanks

@karen teo

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

@karen teo
Not sure how much is the shipping. You can add it to the cart and see the total on the last confirmation page without placing the order.

Not sure about the voltage though.

I bought a wenzalite walker

Submitted by Sarah on

I bought a wenzalite walker support and harnass for kids from Drive medical. It states on my invoice that it was shipped on the 25 Feb 14 and should arrive on the 5 March. I am worried because it is not april and I have yet to receive items.

I cannot seem to contact seller after countless attempts. Should I continue waiting or ask for a refund?

@Sarah

Submitted by Teoh Yi Chie on

@Sarah
You should contact Amazon and see what they say. If you bought the item from Amazon (even if it's through 3rd party seller), they should be able to refund you.

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