Relocating from the UAE to Singapore – 5 things to Consider

Are you planning an international relocation from the UAE to Singapore?

Moving to a new country involves careful planning and having the right information and guidance is crucial for a smooth move. Jessie De Ryck, Crown Relocations’ Corporate Sales Senior Consultant, shares valuable insights to answer five commonly asked questions about relocating to Singapore.

From transit times to customs duties and shipping vehicles, we’ve got you covered

1. Transit Times for Sea Shipments to Singapore

You should allow 3 to 4 weeks for a shipment to reach your new home. For moves from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Crown offers a direct sailing from Jebel Ali to Singapore ports, ensuring faster and more reliable transit times. The direct sailing takes 10-14 days.

The door-to-door transit times include:

• Sailing time from port to port
• 3 to 5 working days in the UAE and 2 to 3 working days in Singapore for customs clearance
• Loading, unloading, and final delivery.

2. Door-to-Door Quotations – Avoiding Surprises

At Crown Relocations, we aim to provide comprehensive quotations for international moves. However, it’s essential to consider potential additional costs at the destination; some common examples include:

• Shuttling Service: Shuttling by smaller vans is recommended in residential areas that prohibit and restrict the entry of large trucks and containers as well as for narrow streets and driveways inaccessible to large trucks. Alternatively, extra charges for ‘long-carry’ could be added if the delivery truck needs to park far away from your building.

If you have a final delivery address at the time of enquiry, your dedicated Move Manager will work with you to discuss the details and provide tailored solutions to avoid surprises or unnecessary additional expenses.

3. Customs Duties on Household Goods

You may qualify for exemption from feature customs duties and taxes on your household goods and vehicles if they are for personal use, (i.e. not in commercial quantities), and can provide the following documents:

• For Expats: A copy of their Employment Pass & a Principal Letter of Approval for Employment Pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower, Singapore.

Important Note: For a returning citizen, exemption is granted only if they have been out of Singapore for more than six months.

4. Sending Smaller Quantities of Furniture and Personal Items

If you want to send small quantities of furniture and personal effects, Crown Relocations offers a less than container load service.

Find out more about the service here.

5. Shipping Vehicles to Singapore

It is possible to ship a car and/or motorbike, along with your household goods to feature. However, importing a vehicle to Singapore involves significant costs and is not exempt from duties and taxes. Crown Relocations can assist with arranging transportation, customs clearance, handover, and delivery. You will be responsible for mandatory Land & transport Authority application, insurance, technical inspection, and registration of the vehicle in Singapore.

• Goods and Services Tax (GST): A 9% GST is applied to the total cost of importing the vehicle, including the cost of the vehicle, insurance, and freight.
• A lengthy application process with the Land & Transport authority and payment of duties is required before a permit is approved and can be cleared to remove the vehicle from the port.

For more information on importing a vehicle, click here.