When should you book a relocation company for a move to Singapore?
Start once your work pass route and start date are clear, but before you fix shipping dates, and get surveys and quotes from at least three providers. Indicative ranges in our ranking run from S$1,000 for an air shipment of essentials to S$25,000+ for a family home by sea.
Start lining up a relocation company once your work pass route, start date and family arrangements are clear, but before you commit to shipping dates. The process runs in sequence: immigration and housing planning, then a pre-move survey, an itemised quotation, packing, shipping, customs clearance, delivery and settling in. Families should start early, because school admissions, lease timing, shipment schedules and pass approvals can overlap. Shipping timelines vary by origin country, route, port congestion, customs checks, building access and delivery slots, and air freight, sea freight and shared-container shipments each follow different timelines.
Indicative market ranges quoted in our ranking:
| Relocation need | Indicative range | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| International air shipment of essentials | S$1,000 to S$5,000+ | Weight, origin city, urgency |
| Sea shipment, small apartment | S$4,000 to S$10,000+ | Volume, route, shared container availability |
| Sea shipment, family home | S$10,000 to S$25,000+ | Container size, origin country, storage, insurance |
| Destination services package | S$1,000 to S$8,000+ | Home search days, school search depth |
| Larger local family move | S$1,200 to S$3,500+ | Condo access rules, bulky items, storage |
What changes the answer
- Pass approval: confirm the work pass, dependant arrangements and start date before booking shipping dates.
- Shipment size: a family home needs an in-home or video survey before final pricing, which takes time to arrange.
- Family needs: home search, school search and temporary accommodation add destination services that need planning ahead.
- Restricted items: alcohol, tobacco, food, medicines, antiques and high-value goods need early attention, and GST is payable on imported goods unless relief applies.
- Split shipments: an air shipment of essentials can cover the gap while sea freight is in transit.
What to check before you decide
- Compare at least three providers quoting the same scope, not three different bundles.
- Get exclusions in writing: storage, shuttle fees, stairs, long carry, parking, weekend work and disposal.
- Check cancellation terms in case your pass approval or start date moves.
- Confirm insurance options, valuation rules and the claims deadline after delivery.