
The rise of online marketplaces and e-commerce sites, fuelled by digitalization and pandemic-related regulations, has led to a growing demand for courier services in Singapore.
Whether you are a business owner struggling with parcels, an employee helping to run errands, or simply have an urgent parcel to deliver, arranging for courier service may be a service that you need to know.
Key Factors To Consider When Finding A Courier Service
However, finding the right courier for your parcel does require some effort. Before you rush to confirm a courier service, do consider different factors that contribute to the charges of delivering your parcel.
1. Parcel Size And Weight
Typically, courier service providers will indicate the size and weight limit for various pricing tiers. You need to know the measurements of your parcel to get a more accurate cost estimate, as additional charges will apply if the item exceeds the stated limit.
2. Type Of Parcel
Besides considering the parcel size, it is important to take into consideration the type of item to be delivered. Fragile items like cakes, potted plants, glass ware that require extra care when handling will require more specific arrangements.
3. Delivery Speed
Some courier service providers have express service that can help to deliver your parcel within an hour, or in the same day. Take note of the stated delivery time before you confirm your courier.
4. Additional Fees
As for most things, there are bound to be additional fees to consider. When it comes to courier service, the extra charges on top of base fare may apply depending on the location, distance between pickup and drop-off locations and peak period surcharge etc.
Your Cost Guide To Courier Services In Singapore
To help you select the right courier that serves your needs, we have put together a cost guide to courier services in Singapore.
For a quick recommendation, you can refer to this summary list.
Ideal for Multiple purposes | Lalamove, GOGOx |
Ideal for Express delivery (small parcels) | GrabExpress, Speedpost |
Ideal for Small parcels | Ninja Van |
Ideal for Bulky parcels | Uparcel |
Ideal for Frequent users | Pickupp, Ninja Van |
Ideal for Choosing courier service | EasyParcel |
Courier Services For Multiple Purposes – Lalamove, GOGOx
#1 Lalamove
Lalamove is a one-stop 24/7 on-demand delivery app that enables you to send any parcel islandwide, at the touch of a button. Not only does it provide fast delivery (within the day or hour) and hassle-free payment (via the app), you get to customize every part of your delivery including scheduling your preferred delivery time and vehicle. You will receive instant pricing information before confirming the service.
Additionally, for van services, you can enlist the complimentary help of the driver for moving and for lorry services, there are refrigeration (chiller or freezer) options available if you need to courier cold goods.
#2 GOGOX
Operating in over 300 cities across 7 countries in Asia, GOGOX has grown an extensive network of 8 million registered drivers since its launch in 2013. Besides courier services, it provides a range of value-added services for customers including manpower support for moving logistics, wrapping of items and boxes, dismantling and assembling, as well as events and roadshow set-up. Customers can arrange for courier services effortlessly via the GOGOX app.
Type | Motorcycle | Car | Van | Lorry (10 / 14 / 24 ft) |
Base Fare | $10 – 21 | $15 – 37 | $24 – 38 | $42 – $167 |
Extra waiting charge | $3 / 10 mins | $3 / 10 mins | $5 / 10 mins | $5 – 10 / 10 mins |
Weight Limit | 5 kg | 20 kg | 500 kg | 1 – 5 tons |
Size Limit (L x W x H) |
35 x 25 x 12 cm | 70 x 50 x 50 cm | 230 x 120 x 120 cm | 300 x 150 x 150 cm 420 x 200 x 200 cm 750 x 230 x 230 cm |
Suitable for | Documents,
food items |
Delicate food items | Small furniture, plants, pets | House moving |
Courier Service For Small Parcels – Ninja Van
#3 Ninja Van
Ninja Van is a Singapore-based tech-enabled courier company launched in 2014 and has now grown into one of the largest and fastest-growing service providers in Southeast Asia. It covers a wide variety of delivery options including local courier services and international, as well as flexible pickup and drop-off locations. However, it has specific timeslots that customers have to choose from, depending on availability. What’s unique about Ninja Van is that it has a loyalty program for customers to earn points for every delivery fulfilled that they can convert into rebate credits or shopping vouchers.
Type | XS | S | M |
Parcel size | 23 x 17cm | 35 x 25 cm | 47 x 33 cm |
Delivery speed | 1 to 3 working days | ||
Cost per pack | $3.20 | $3.5 – $3.96 | $3.9 – $4.5 |
Type | Lite | Pro |
Parcel | <250 / month | >250 / month |
Extra waiting charge | $3 / 10 mins | $3 / 10 mins |
Weight Limit | 5 kg | 20 kg |
Size Limit (L x W) |
23 x 17 cm | 35 x 25 cm |
Suitable for | Small business owners | Large corporations |
Courier Service for Bulky Parcels – Uparcel
#4 Uparcel
An on-demand 24/7 courier service provider in Singapore, Uparcel enables customers to receive instant confirmation from delivery agents upon booking a delivery request.
Customers can save the hassle of calculating courier charges as Uparcel gets your parcels delivered at a single flat rate – be it an express delivery, two-way courier, or a last-minute parcel.
Courier Services For Urgent Parcels – GrabExpress, Speedpost
#5 GrabExpress
Singapore’s leading ride-hailing app, Grab – which many of us are probably users of – has extended its services to include parcel deliveries. With its existing well-developed technology infrastructure and network of drivers, it is rather intuitive for Grab to expand into this sector. Customers can schedule for parcels to be delivered with an hour or 4-hour window conveniently from the current Grab app. Looks like the all-in-one transport app got you covered, through and through.
Type | Bike (1hr) | Car (1hr) | Express (4hr) | Large (1.5hr) |
Base Fare | $5 | $8 | $5 – 13 | $28 |
Extra fees | $1/km (<5km) $0.70/km (>5km) |
$1/km (<5km) $0.60/km (>5km) |
– | $0.70/km |
Extra stop charge | $3 + distance fare | $5 + distance fare | – | $8 + distance far |
Weight Limit | 5 kg | 20 kg | 2 kg | 50 kg |
Size Limit (L x W x H) |
32 x 25 x 12 cm | 70 x 50 x 50 cm | 32 x 25 x 12 cm | 160 x 120 x 100 cm |
Suitable for | Urgent parcels and food items | Large parcels, flowers, cakes | Small parcels | Larger parcels, small appliances and furniture |
#6 Speedpost
A subsidiary of Singapore Post, Speedpost is a last-mile door-to-door express delivery service for customers to send parcels locally and abroad. Customers can track and trace their documents via the website or service hotline.
Express Service Max. 5kg 32 x 25 x 10 cm |
Price | Delivery Speed (Weekday) |
Delivery Speed (Saturday, non-PH) |
Within CBD | $15 | Within 2 hours upon confirmation of booking, cut off at 4pm | Within 2 hours upon confirmation of booking, cut off at 11am
|
CBD to non-CBD | $20 | ||
Non-CBD to CBD | $20 | ||
Outside CBD | $25 |
Normal Service Max. 30kg 60 x 40 x 30 cm |
Price | Delivery Speed (Weekday) |
Delivery Speed (Saturday, non-PH) |
Within CBD | $6
|
Next day upon confirmation of booking, cut off at 4.30pm | Next day upon confirmation of booking, cut off at 11.30am
|
CBD to non-CBD | |||
Non-CBD to CBD | |||
Outside CBD |
Courier Service For Frequent Users – Pickupp
#7 Pickupp
Pickupp is a data-driven parcel delivery service provider catered to small business owners and large corporations that require last mile delivery support. Customers have the flexibility of designating the time for parcels to be delivered including express delivery, same day, next day, and 1 to 3-day door-to-door courier service. Frequent users who enroll in the monthly plan will receive 20% discount off express and same day deliveries.
Type | Individual User | Monthly User | Enterprise User |
Express delivery | From $15 | From $12 | From $12 |
Same day delivery | From $10 | From $8 | From $8 |
Next day delivery | Not available | Not available | From $3.20 |
Minimum volume | – | 30 deliveries / month | 20 parcels per pick up |
Choose Any Courier Service Of Your Choice – Easyparcel
#8 EasyParcel
Different from a typical courier company, EasyParcel is a web-based parcel consolidator that allows customers to schedule local and international deliveries from multiple courier companies including Ninja Van, SingPost and UPS. As such, you are able to book the most suitably priced courier service based on your parcel volume. You can get an instant quote by inputting your parcel details including volumetric weight, pickup and drop-off location.
Every courier has its strengths and limitations, so rather than finding the ‘best’ courier service, it makes more sense to find the most suitable courier service for your parcel based on factors like parcel size, type, delivery speed and additional charges. In this way, you will be able to deliver your parcel at the best possible rate.
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