You have three ways to get event swag to a Singapore trade show from overseas: ship it in, carry it in, or have it made in Singapore. Shipping works if you start early and get the paperwork right. Carrying it in only works for small amounts. Making it locally is the simplest of the three.
How each one works:
Option 1: Ship it in
Shipping branded giveaways from the US, UK or Australia means paying for freight, clearing Singapore customs and getting the boxes to your booth during build-up. Each step has a catch.
Customs and GST. Singapore charges 9% GST on the value of the goods plus shipping and insurance. Small air parcels worth SGD 400 or less usually get relief, but a box of 500 tote bags won’t qualify. Business shipments over SGD 400 also need a customs permit, which your courier or freight forwarder files for you. Free giveaways aren’t exempt. Our guide to Singapore customs rules covers the details.
Who pays. Whoever is named as the receiver on the shipment is the importer and pays the GST before the boxes are released. If that’s your booth contact or a hotel, ask your courier to bill duties and taxes to you as the sender instead.
Cost. Shipping 500 tote bags, 500 bottles and 500 notebooks from the US to Singapore is not a USD 200 courier job. Depending on weight, size and speed, expect several hundred to several thousand dollars before duties and handling fees.
Timing. International transit takes 5 to 10 business days, plus customs clearance. A comfortable six-week plan shrinks to three once approvals and artwork changes are factored in, and there’s little room left if a shipment is held.
Condition. Boxes packed tight for international freight can arrive crushed or scuffed, which isn’t the look you want when you open them at your booth on the morning of the show.
Getting it to your booth. Venues only accept goods during your show’s move-in period, and nobody will sign for them on your behalf. Many big shows also make you use their official freight forwarder for on-site handling, which is charged on top: at Asia Tech x Singapore 2026 it was SGD 95 per cubic metre, with a SGD 280 minimum. Our guide to Singapore exhibition venues covers how deliveries work at each one.
Option 2: Carry it in
Packing giveaways in your checked luggage only works for small quantities. Goods you’ll hand out aren’t personal belongings, so declare them at the Red Channel when you land and expect to pay 9% GST on their value. Booth displays and samples you’ll take home again can come in under a temporary import permit or an ATA Carnet, arranged before you fly.
Option 3: Have it made in Singapore
The simplest option is a Singapore-based supplier. Nothing crosses a border, so there’s no freight to book or customs to clear, and boxes travel a few kilometres instead of a few thousand. You brief remotely, approve products and artwork, and the swag is delivered to your venue, hotel or office before your team lands.
Standard items like tote bags, tumblers and notebooks take three to four weeks from approved brief to delivery. Custom items and gift sets take five to six. For 2027 show dates, see our Singapore trade show calendar.
What to brief your Singapore supplier on
Event date and delivery deadline. Give the supplier your event date and the latest acceptable delivery date. A good supplier will tell you straight away whether the timeline works and flag any risks early.
Quantity and product type. Be specific: tote bags, bottles, pens, notebooks or a mix. The more specific your brief, the faster you get an accurate quote.
Budget per unit. Knowing your budget upfront saves rounds of back-and-forth on product options. Our guide to swag costs in Singapore lists typical prices.
Branding files. Have your logo ready in vector format (AI, EPS or a high-resolution PDF). A low-resolution PNG from your website causes delays.
Delivery address. Whether it’s a venue loading dock, a hotel or a temporary office, confirm the exact address, the delivery window and who will sign for it.
Related: Singapore customs rules for branded merchandise · How to organise event swag for a Singapore conference · Our On-Time Guarantee