Buying furniture from Taobao can be a total lifesaver for your wallet, compared to buying locally and saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars. However, things can get complicated when you’re dealing with big-ticket items like sofas and dining sets. One wrong measurement or shipping misstep can quickly turn your dream furniture into a costly headache. Here’s a practical guide to shipping large furniture from Taobao to Singapore, based on real tips from homeowners who’ve survived the process.
Guide to shipping large furniture from Taobao
1. Measure your lift dimensions
Image credit: Junk Value Disposal Services
Before you even think about carting out, grab a measuring tape and check your HDB or condo lift dimensions as well as your front door. It might sound extra, but it beats realising too late that your dream sofa is bigger than your elevator. If you’re unsure of the product’s actual size, it’s worth checking with the Taobao seller before checking out.
If the furniture can’t fit into the lift, movers may need to lug it up the stairs and charge per floor. Or worse, they might refuse delivery entirely, leaving you with extra costs and a sofa that won’t budge.
2. Check your shipping options
When you’re ready to place your order, always check what shipping options the seller offers. Small items usually go via Taobao’s own courier, Cainiao, but for big-ticket pieces like dining tables and wardrobes, third-party freight forwarders (3PF) are your best friend.
They’re built for bulky shipments and are surprisingly affordable—one savvy homeowner even shipped 32 pieces of furniture for just $230 (before GST) for 3.2 cubic metres. Prices range from $50 to $130 per cubic metre, with discounts for larger volumes.
Rather than eyeballing it, you can ask the seller for the packaged size and weight of your item to estimate shipping volume accurately. Once everything checks out, you can send your items to the 3PF’s China warehouse and sit back while they handle the heavy lifting.
3. Consolidate orders at the warehouse & request for crating
Image credit: @cornonthefork on Lemon8
Before you ship out your much-awaited furniture, it’s worth consolidating your orders at the warehouse. Consolidating your orders not only maximises your shipping volume, but can also cut down a significant portion of your total shipping amount. You’ll also side-step paying “first-kg” premiums for each package, which can sneakily add up—especially with bulky items—and leave you forking out more than you expected at the beginning.
For extra peace of mind, you can request to have your package opened and inspected by the 3PF. They’ll typically send you pictures of your purchases, which allows you to spot any “defects” before your items are shipped out. Addressing issues at this stage means fewer headaches later, avoiding costly returns or replacements after your items have already arrived.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure your 3PF crates and preps your parcel properly for the rest of the journey. While it costs an extra 30 RMB (~$5.50), this is an essential step to protect your items during long‑distance shipping. Proper crating can prevent scratches, dents, or damage caused by bumps during transit, and it’s best done after inspection to ensure everything is in top condition.
4. Pay freight & clear customs
For the shipping of bulky furniture items from Taobao to Singapore: you’ll typically incur freight charges calculated by volume (cubic metre) or dimensional weight. For larger, heavier items like furniture, sea freight is usually the most cost‑effective option.
Expect transit times of 2 to 4 weeks, although this can vary based on the service provider, route, and port congestion. For example, one forwarder reports shipping time from China to Singapore to be around 12 to 14 days, while others state a broader range of 3 to 4 weeks for sea freight.
Alternatively, air freight offers a faster but more expensive option, typically delivering within 1 to 3 weeks, though the cost can be several times higher than sea freight, especially for bulky items. Shipping via air is generally better suited for smaller, lighter goods or urgent deliveries.
On top of freight charges, you will incur a 9% GST on the declared value of the imported goods, including the cost of the furniture and shipping. This is standard for all imports into Singapore. For example, a typical forwarder charges S$120 per cubic metre for sea freight, excluding GST.
The good news here is, if you engage a reputable 3PF they will usually handle customs clearance and documentation for you — though you’ll still need to submit correct details (e.g., item value, dimensions).
5. Delivery in Singapore
Image credit: @xian.g on Carousell
Once your shipment clears customs, the forwarder arranges delivery straight to your unit. Additional costs may arise for final delivery to your home, especially if your building requires special handling such as elevator access or delivery to higher floors. Don’t forget to ask your 3PF if their quote includes door-to-door delivery or if extra fees apply for this service.
From this point on, you can roll up your sleeves and uncrate the furniture yourself, or pay extra for movers to do it and dispose of all the wooden packing. If you really don’t want to lift a finger, Carousell services have got your back.
Don’t forget to inspect your items on delivery: snap some photos and check for any damage. If anything’s off, contact your forwarder or seller immediately to sort out a refund or replacement.
Tips from homeowners
1. Always ask sellers for real-life photos
Image credit: Fiona Loh
Before your furniture even leaves China, ask the seller or your forwarder to take real-life photos of the actual item. Trusting only the product listing images is a horror story waiting to happen and a surefire way to end up being catfished by your Taobao order.
Homeowner tip:
“Always ask for real-life photos of the product, even when there aren’t in the product review gallery. If there aren’t, ditch the seller and product and run.” – @quanjiafuhome on Lemon8
2. Be cautious when purchasing plumbing or electrical items
Image credit: @makeyeoselfhomee on Lemon8
When it comes to plumbing and electrical fixtures, several homeowners have reported quality issues, sizing mismatches with local fittings, and metal fittings that aren’t actually stainless steel as advertised.
It’s usually safer to go with local suppliers, as they can replace parts if needed and ensure everything is fully compatible with Singapore’s plumbing standards.
Homeowner tip:
“The tap is shaky, though it’s been tightened. Leaks started happening, and local plumbers were not able to fix them due to the different parts used. The knob that we need to use to switch on the main water supply AND hot water came off. The paint on the main ‘key’ that we used also came out. Less than 2 weeks later, there was a leak due to a disintegrated rubber part.” – @just1starz on Lemon8
3. Plan your shipping timeline with your renovation
Image credit: @ashly_reis on Lemon8
You definitely don’t want your furniture arriving before your space is ready, or sitting in the corridor for weeks. Work backwards from your move-in date to schedule shipping and make sure there’s enough room to uncrate everything immediately, so your new furniture doesn’t become an accidental obstacle course.
Homeowner tip:
“Plan the timeline well in advance. You would rather the sofa arrive later than earlier, with no space to put it while undergoing renovation, etc. Sea shipping usually takes 2.5 weeks to 3 weeks to arrive at the port and clear customs.” – u/Xazestar on Reddit
4. Get the right tools for uncrating
Image credit: @adayinourhouseofgoh
Most furniture arrives crated in thick wooden frames, so don’t rely on a hammer alone. Your future self will thank you for getting a cheap $10 crowbar from the nearest hardware shop to speed up the uncrating process.
Suit up in covered shoes to avoid any souvenir splinters, and lay down some cardboard or blankets to protect fresh flooring. For the heavier pieces, recruit a second person to help with unboxing.
Homeowner tip:
“Take a step back to look at the crate and try to figure out the least number of pieces you need to pry off to access your item! By doing so, you minimise both the amount of effort needed and the risk of damaging the item during the uncrating process.” – @c.afetayria on Lemon8
Taobao large or bulky furniture on Taobao from China to Singapore
Shipping big-ticket furniture from Taobao isn’t as scary as it sounds—as long as you plan ahead and pick the right forwarder. The savings can be huge, but you’ll need to juggle timelines, shipping logistics, and the occasional uncrating adventure.
If it’s your first time importing bulky items, start small, ask for photos, and check reviews. With a bit of prep, you’ll save money and score unique pieces that you won’t find locally.
For more Taobao guides:
- Ultimate guide to buying furniture on Taobao: Best sellers, keywords & shipping
- 7 best Taobao third-party forwarders that won’t ghost you or overcharge last minute
- 11 best no-regret Taobao buys as told by Singaporean homeowners
Cover image adapted from: @ooohuii on Lemon8, Uchify
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