Britannia Removals
Find your local branch

Get a No Obligation Quote Today!

Moving To Singapore From The UK

Moving to Singapore

Whether you are moving to the main island in Singapore or to one of the smaller islands, Britannia Movers International has the local knowledge and experience to tailor the move to your individual needs.

Restrictions

Importing Personal Effects to Singapore

Shipments of used household and personal effects can be imported duty free provided the shipper holds an employment pass less than 6 months old, to allow GST Relief. For returning Singapore Nationals, proof of employment and residence abroad for more than 6 months must be provided. Your local Britannia Member will provide you with detailed customs regulations. All necessary documentation must be completed and submitted when requested, before your shipment is dispatched. Please note that you must be in the country in order to successfully complete all customs clearance procedures.

All books, CDs, videos, DVDs and magazines are subject to physical inspection and should be packed in to separate cartons and marked clearly. There will be a charge for this inspection. Britannia and our agents will assist you with completion of customs formalities. To assist us with this please let us have a copy of your passport (and visa if applicable). The required documentation will be supplied to you on arrival.

Restrictions

Singapore Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions

In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items:

  • Firearms & ammunition
  • Inflammable goods & substances
  • Plants & plant material
  • Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
  • Narcotics and dangerous goods
  • Offensive materials
  • Alcohol & tobacco
Transit

Transit Times to Singapore

Groupage or shared load containers usually take an average of 8 – 12 weeks door to door. However, this can vary depending on volumes being shipped, customs or immigration delays and prevailing weather conditions. Sole-use container loads take on average 4 – 5 weeks door to door.

Bar Coding

Protecting Your Items for Transport to Singapore

All Groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.

Pets

Moving to Singapore with Pets

Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures.

Find out more about pet transport.

Vehicles

Importing Vehicles to Singapore

Only vehicles that are less than 3 years old may be imported and registered for use in Singapore. A surcharge of $10,000 is payable for each imported used car registered in Singapore. Britannia thus discourages importation of cars to Singapore.

International currency exchange

Singapore Currency Transfer

When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency.

IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments.

IFX offers:

  • International payments
  • Regular overseas transfers
  • Prepaid currency card
  • Forward contracts

More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Singapore with Britannia

Your Move to Singapore with Britannia – Britannia can offer you a door to door shipping service to Singapore and can either ship your effects by shared load or by full container load. In addition, we can offer a door to door airfreight service. Our agents in Singapore will arrange customs clearance, and deliver and unpack the effects, including removal of debris on day of delivery.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional removal services when moving to Singapore. We are authorised to provide comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Singapore, you can request a removals quote, and read more about Britannia’s international removals.

Living in Singapore

Whether you are looking for new business opportunities or a different lifestyle with a good standard of living, moving to Singapore can be an ideal choice. This multicultural and cosmopolitan city-state can offer high living standards, excellent communications, transportation and healthcare facilities, and cultural diversity.

Located in Southeast Asia, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is an island country that is made up of a highly urbanised main island and 63 smaller islands. The country has a strong and growing market-based economy, significantly depending on exports. It is one of the largest financial centres in the world with a striving business sector with English as the predominant language. Singapore is also a relatively crime-free country, where pollution is low, traffic jams are almost non-existent, and where high living standards and a comfortable life are achievable.

Although Singapore is not the perfect place for outdoor adventures, as almost 50% of the city is occupied by skyscrapers and high rises, it can be a suitable destination for many. Singapore has a diverse culture, with different racial and religious groups living in relative harmony, and whenever you feel more adventurous, you have over 60 islands to discover.

Singapore Visas

UK citizens do not require a visa to enter Singapore to stay for less than a month. If you are planning to stay in Singapore permanently, you will have to obtain a permanent visa.

There are a few options for working visas in Singapore. A popular choice is the Employment Pass, which is for expat professionals who meet certain qualifications. You will need to have a job offer from a Singaporean employer and meet a minimum salary requirement (typically between SGD 5,000 and SGD 5,500, depending on the industry and skill level). You’ll also need relevant experience and/or qualifications. This visa is usually granted for one to two years and is renewable, with family members of the applicant being eligible to apply for Dependent Passes to accompany them.

Another option is the S Pass. This is suitable for mid-skilled workers who do not meet the salary requirements for the Employment Pass. For this visa, you will need to have a confirmed job offer from a Singaporean employer and meet a minimum monthly salary of around SGD 3,150. You’ll also need to hold relevant qualifications, but experience will also be taken into account. For this pass, family members of the applicant can accompany them as long as the monthly salary is SGD 6,000 or higher.

Working in Singapore

Skilled workers will often find it easier to find suitable roles in Singapore, as competition is often fierce. Singapore has a stable economy, but there are certain shortages in specific industries and roles. Often, expats can find great opportunities in fields such as IT and technology, finance and banking, healthcare, engineer, education, and sales and marketing.

Singapore is known for having a strong work ethic, with long working hours not uncommon. There is a focus on efficiency and productivity, with high standards for performance.

English is the main business language in Singapore, so UK expats may find they can thrive in the working environment. However, learning some basic phrases in Malay, Mandarin, and/or Tamil, the other official languages, can help to earn respect from the locals and make it easier to assimilate.

Cost of Living in Singapore

The cost of living and housing is relatively high in Singapore, and it is one of the most expensive Asian regions. Professional salaries however will also be substantially higher than in many other Asian countries.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Singapore is 1.7% higher than in London, not counting rent prices. Rent alone is 1% lower in Singapore than in the UK, so overall, the cost of living in Singapore is comparable to the UK capital. Salaries in Singapore are, on average, 22% higher than in London though, so expats could find themselves better off overall.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Singapore below. Prices are shown in Singapore dollars and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Item Price in Singapore Price in London
Milk (1l) S$3.63
£2.12
S$2.24
£1.31
Loaf of white bread S$2.74
£1.60
S$2.57
£1.51
Eggs (12) S$4.35
£2.55
S$5.41
£3.17
Bananas (1kg) S$4.05
£2.37
S$2.24
£1.31
Chicken breasts (1kg) S$12.59
£7.36
S$12.01
£7.03
Bottle of water (1.5l) S$1.89
£1.11
S$2.11
£1.24
Pair of quality jeans S$89.50
£52.34
S$127.35
£74.47
Chain store dress S$59.31
£34.69
S$65.49
£38.30
Mid-range trainers S$130.38
£76.24
S$151.31
£88.49
Cinema ticket S$16.00
£9.36
S$22.23
£13.00
Fitness Club Fees (1 month) S$136.39
£79.76
S$81.64
£47.74

 

Interesting Facts About Singapore

  • Singapore is among the 20 smallest countries in the world and has a population of just over 5 million.
  • Singapore has four official languages, English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil, English being the first language of the nation and the language of business and government.
  • The world’s highest man-made waterfall and largest fountain are both located in Singapore.
  • The main religions of Singapore are Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism and Hinduism.
  • The Bukit Timah Nature Reserve in Singapore contains more species of trees than the entire North American continent.

Choose Britannia for Your Singapore Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Singapore and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.

Key Information

singapore flag Moving To Singapore From The UK
Time Zone:

SST (UTC+8)

Currency: Singapore dollar (SGD)
Calling Code: +65
IFX-banner

Downloads

FHIO APG Worldwide ISO9001 FIFI Living Wage What Mortgage accrediations2