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Freight Forwarders in Singapore: 25 freight forwarders, typically 20 years in business

Updated October 2026How we rank
Freight forwarders arrange sea, air and cross-border trucking shipments, and often handle Singapore Customs permits through TradeNet. Agree the Incoterm (e.g. FOB, CIF, DAP) with your supplier first, because it decides which costs you pay. Then ask forwarders for all-in quotes covering freight, local charges, customs and insurance.

12 of the best-documented freight forwarders in Singapore

Businesses with the most complete public records first, photos, licence matches, hours and track record. Never ordered by payment.

World Courier Singapore

World Courier Singapore

Changi

46+ years in business

17 min walk from Upper Changi MRT

Oceanus Group Limited

Oceanus Group Limited

Toa Payoh

27+ years in business

4 min walk from Tai Seng MRT

Thong Lee Container Service PTE. LTD.

Thong Lee Container Service PTE. LTD.

Jurong West

44+ years in business

7 min walk from Boon Lay MRT

More freight forwarders

Ordered by verifiable signals, licence matches, track record and completeness of public records. Featured placements are labelled and never change this order.

Show all 25

Longest-running freight forwarders

By ACRA registration date. Track record is one of the few things you can verify before you hire.

Compare 5 freight forwarders side by side

Location, MRT walk, years in business, licence and published hours, facts from public records.

How to choose a freight forwarder

  • Confirm the Incoterm and who arranges freight before asking for quotes. This avoids paying twice for the same leg.
  • Ask for an itemised quote: freight, fuel and peak surcharges, terminal handling, documentation, permit and delivery charges.
  • Check whether the forwarder or its declaring agent can lodge Singapore Customs permits and handle any controlled-goods approvals.
  • Buy cargo insurance. A carrier's default liability is usually limited by weight, not your goods' value.
  • For regular shipments, ask about consolidation (LCL), transit times and tracking.

Red flags

  • Quotes with large 'local charges' left blank.
  • No written terms of trading or liability limits.
  • Pressure to under-declare goods value to save GST, which is an offence.

Questions to ask before you book

  • What exactly is included in the quote, and what surcharges may apply?
  • Will you lodge the customs permit, and what does it cost?
  • What is your liability limit, and can you arrange insurance?
  • What are the transit time and free storage days at the port?

Questions about freight forwarders in Singapore

What does a freight forwarder do?

A freight forwarder books cargo space with shipping lines, airlines or trucking firms, prepares shipping documents, arranges customs clearance through a declaring agent, and coordinates pickup and delivery. They consolidate smaller shipments (LCL) and can arrange cargo insurance and warehousing.

Do I pay GST on imported goods in Singapore?

Yes. GST at 9% is generally payable on goods imported into Singapore, calculated on the cost, insurance and freight value plus any duty. For commercial imports, GST is collected when the import permit is lodged. Your forwarder or declaring agent will handle the permit, and GST-registered businesses may claim it back as input tax, subject to IRAS rules.

What is an Incoterm?

Incoterms are standard trade terms, such as EXW, FOB, CIF and DAP, that set out which costs and risks the buyer and seller each bear, and where responsibility passes. Agreeing the Incoterm with your supplier determines which freight legs you need your forwarder to quote for.

How many freight forwarders are there in Singapore?

Lookup lists 25 freight forwarders in Singapore as of October 2026, with the largest concentration in Downtown Core (4). Listings are compiled from government registers and open map data and refreshed regularly.