Whether you’re a power Carouseller or running a fledgling e-commerce business, finding the right delivery or courier provider can be a headache.
While we no longer need to rely on SingPost as the only option to ship our items (hallelujah!), the problem now is that there are sooo many logistics companies. Which are reliable? Which are affordable? We review 10 best courier services in Singapore with the lowest delivery fees.
Contents
Best and most affordable courier delivery in Singapore (2023)
SingPost—Best for small packages, prepaid postage options
NinjaVan—Best for small, heavy parcels; prepaid postage optionsNinjaVan Ninja Packs
Pandago—1-hour, small to medium parcel, 24/7 delivery
Qdelivery by Qxpress—Best for bulky items with higher coverageQxpress Delivery
UParcel—Wide range of delivery timings and weight/size options
GrabExpress—Best for same-day delivery and high insurance coverage
Lalamove (Up to 5,000 kg via lorry)Lalamove
GetVan (Up to 40 boxes of 55cm each via lorry)
GoGoX (Up to 5,000kg via lorry)
Pickupp (Up to 15kg, same day or 1-3 days delivery)
1. Best and most affordable courier delivery in Singapore (2023)
For easy reference, here are the prices for the best courier services in Singapore.
Courier service
Price range
Range of weight and size limits
Delivery options
SingPost
$1.55 – $25.25
2kg / 324 x 229 x 65mm – 30kg / 600 x 400 x 300mm
Within 2 hours to 2 working days
NinjaVan
$3.20 – $12
230mm x 170mm – <30kg / 300cm (total dimensions)
1-3 working days
Pandago
$5.05 base (with GST) +$1.01/km after
Up to 5kg, must fit in 33 x 33 x 18cm Pandago bag
Within 60 minutes
Qdelivery
$4.30 – $19.90
Up to 30kg, total dimensions 300cm, and not exceeding 160cm for any one
Next day delivery
UParcel
$9 – $35
60cm / 1kg – 200cm / 25kg
3 hours express, Specific Delivery Slot, Next Day Delivery, Same Day Delivery, 2 way round trip (same day), 1 Hour Rush
GrabExpress
$0.40 platform fee + distance-based fare to $28 base price + $0.70/km + $0.40 platform fee
32x25x12cm, <5kg – 160x120x100cm, <50kg
90 minutes – 4 hours
Lalamove
Base fare $9 (under 1km) + $0.35/km (first 10km) + $0.40/km (> 10km to Base fare $125 + $1/km
8kg, 40 × 30 × 30 cm – 5,000 kg, 750 × 230 × 230 cm
On-demand, 24/7
GetVan
$35 base + $0.80/km to $70 base + $1.00/km
8 – 40 boxes, each 55x55x55cm
On-demand, 24/7 (exception: XL lorry requires 2h advance booking)
GoGoX
$13 – $167+
5kg, 35 x 25 x 12 cm – 5,000kg, 7.5 x 2.3 x 2.3 m
On-demand, 24/7
Pickupp
$3.89 – $17.28
40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm, 5 kg – 60 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm, 15 kg
2 hours to 3 days
Need some recommendations in a hurry? Here are our courier service suggestions for different delivery needs:
For small parcels: SingPost, NinjaVan, Pickupp, Pandago, UParcel, GrabExpress
For prepaid postage: Postage-paid solutions like Ninja Packs or SingPost’s PolyM and SmartPac packages are super convenient. Just stuff, seal, and drop off.
For small but heavy parcels: Ninja Packs come in 3 sizes and all have no weight limit. Stuff as much as you can in there!
For instant delivery: Pickupp, Pandago and GrabExpress all offer on-demand delivery for small parcels. For larger parcels, try Lalamove, GoGoX and Pickupp.
For van or lorry deliveries: Lalamove, GetVan, GoGoX
Read on for more about our shortlisted courier services in Singapore with affordable and transparent pricing.
2. SingPost—Best for small packages, prepaid postage options
At SingPost, you have two main options for standard local delivery of small packages: non-postage paid and postage-paid.
Non-postage paid packages
Basic Package (not tracked)
Weight / dimension limits
2kg / 324 x 229 x 65mm
Delivered within
2 working days
Compensation
None
Up to $10
Postage rates
$1.55
$2.00
SingPost is the classic local courier choice, and they offer some of the cheapest rates of as low as $1.55 for small packages up to 2kg, 324 x 229 x 65mm.
To skip the queues at the post office and avoid having to fiddle with stamps, use their postage-paid polymailers (Poly M) or Smartpacs. Since postage is already paid, all you have to do is pack your items and drop them off—no stamps required.
Postage-paid packages
Poly M (not tracked)
Weight limits
No weight limit
Maximum dimensions
324 x 229 x 65mm
300 x 190 x 65mm
Delivered within
2 working days
Compensation
None
Up to 3 replacement Smartpac products of the same type
Cost (postage included)
$2.05 per Poly M
$2.20-$3.20 per Smartpac; $2.40-$2.50 per Smartpac with bubble wrap
The rates above are for small packages, with delivery within 2 working days. If you need to send something larger or faster, you can opt for these tracked doorstep delivery options:
Postage-paid packages
Weight limits
≤30kg
≤5kg
Maximum dimensions
600 x 400 x 300mm (max length: 1.5m; L + 2W + 2H must not exceed 3m)
320 x 250 x 100mm
Delivered within
1 working day
Within 2 hours from booking confirmation
Compensation
Up to $150 per article or the declared value of shipment, whichever is lower
Postage fee
$6.10 – $12.15
$15.15 – $25.25
Note: The postage fees above were estimated from SingPost’s postage fee calculator. Do input your own package details to get the exact rate.
3. NinjaVan—Best for small, heavy parcels; prepaid postage options
NinjaVan has 2 options you can use to send parcels (the last option, Ninja Pro, is more suited to businesses.)—Ninja Lite and Ninja Pack. Both are tracked and delivered in 1-3 working days. Of the 2, Ninja Packs are especially useful if you have small heavy items, since these packs have no weight limit.
Ninja Lite—shipping rates, weight and size limits
All parcels shipped under Ninja Lite come with coverage up to the value of the delivery item or SGD100 per item, whichever is lower.
Ninja Lite package size
Weight/total dimension limit
Price (before GST)
Small
<4kg/80cm
$4
Medium
<10kg/120cm
$5
Large
<20kg/200cm
$9
Extra large
<30kg/300cm
$12
How Ninja Lite works: Ninja Lite isn’t a prepaid postage service. You need to create a Lite account, top up credits in your account, prepare your parcel, and arrange for pickup or drop-off at any Ninja Point.
Ninja Packs—shipping rates, weight and size limits
Ninja Packs are postage-paid polymailers of different sizes. But, unlike Ninja Lite and SingPost, there’s no weight limit. You can stuff all you want into the bag, which makes it perfect for items that are small but heavy, such as books.
Like parcels shipped under Ninja Lite, Ninja Packs are delivered in 1-3 working days. However, if anything happens to your parcel (touch wood!), Ninja Packs come with lower coverage of $50.
Ninja Pack type
Sizes
Price (before GST)
Regular
XS (230mm x 170mm)
S (350mm x 250mm)
M (470mm x 330mm)
From $3.20
Padded
From $3.60
Eco
XS (230mm x 170mm)
M (470mm x 330mm)
From $3.40
How Ninja Packs work: Buy Ninja Packs in bundles of 5 or 20, which can be purchased online. Create a Ninja Dash account, stuff your Ninja Pack to your heart’s desire, and create a Ninja Pack order on Ninja Dash. Then, just drop it off at a Ninja Point, and BOOM! Item shipped.
4. Pandago—1-hour, small to medium parcel, 24/7 delivery
Weight and size limit
Cost
Up to 5kg, must fit in the 33 x 33 x 18cm Pandago delivery bag
$5.05 base (with GST) +$1.01/km after
Foodpanda can now do more than just deliver food orders to you. The cutest pink food delivery app in Singapore now offers its own parcel delivery service, Pandago. It’s 24/7, trackable in real-time, and convenient to book within the Foodpanda app. With its 60 minute or less delivery time, Pandago is a great option for time-sensitive deliveries.
Unlike the other couriers with different rates for different parcel weights and sizes, Pandago offers just one rate for one size/weight specification. You can pack, seal and send anything up to 5kg—as long as it fits in the 33 x 33 x 18cm pandago delivery bag, and isn’t illegal or dangerous.
Wanna give Pandago a shot? Psst, use the promo code PGNEW in your Foodpanda mobile app for 25% off your first Pandago order. Just note that there’s a minimum spend of $6, and the discount is capped at $5.
5. Qdelivery by Qxpress—Best for bulky items with higher coverage
Qxpress
Estimated delivery cost
0-5kg
$4.30
5-10kg
$6.90
10-15kg
$9.90
15-20kg
$12.90
20-25kg
$15.90
25-30kg
$19.90
If you can get over Qoo10’s bizarre user interface, their in-house delivery service Qdelivery isn’t a bad choice for next-day delivery. They accept parcels up to 30kg, weight + height + length = 300cm, and not exceeding 160cm for any one dimension. Break these rules and Qoo10 will reject your parcel.
One annoying thing about Qdelivery: While you can select a pickup date, but can’t select a time slot. I mean, there’s a field for “Select time slot”, but there is only one option you can must choose: 10:00-19:00. If you want full control over when your parcel gets handed over to the QExpress folks, drop off your parcel at a Pick Locker instead.
On the plus side, it’s relatively affordable for bulkier items that wouldn’t fit in a Ninja Pack or SmartPac. For example, a 20kg parcel costs only $12.90 for Qxpress to ship the next day. While this is probably going to cost more than the $6.10 – $12.15 rate under Speedpost Express, Qdelivery’s maximum compensation is also higher at $300.
If you are prepared to spend more $$ there’s also a Qxpress Quick Delivery (3 hours) which starts at $6.99 (for deliveries under 5km). For longer distances, you’ll be charged a higher base rate as well as unknown mileage charges.
6. UParcel—Wide range of delivery timings and weight/size options
Parcel size / weight
Next day delivery
1-hour delivery
60cm / 1kg
$9
$21
80cm / 5kg
$10
$23
100cm / 8kg
$12
$25
120cm / 10kg
$15
$27
140cm / 15kg
$17
$29
160cm / 20kg
$20
$32
200cm / 25kg
$24
$35
The main selling point of UParcel is that they have a gazillion delivery options:
3 hours express
Specific Delivery Slot
Next Day Delivery
Same Day Delivery
2 way round trip (same day)
1 Hour Rush
I’ve included the prices for next day delivery (cheapest and slowest) and 1-hour delivery (most expensive) above. For all the prices, refer to the full UParcel delivery rates.
UParcel’s next day delivery is more expensive than Qxpress. But if you’re looking to send lots of stuff—say, a truck load?—UParcel’s got options from a half van load (max 50kg) to 14ft lorry (covered, max 900kg). However, only the 3 hours express, specific delivery slot, and 1 hour rush delivery options are available for these.
7. GrabExpress—Best for same-day delivery and high insurance coverage
GrabExpress
Delivery fee
Weight & size limits
4 hour
$0.40 platform fee + distance-based fare. Grab doesn’t give the exact per km rate for 4 hour deliveries, but they’ll be cheaper than the instant delivery rates below.
<5kg, 32cm x 25cm x 12cm
Instant delivery (Bike)
$5 base price + $1/km (first 5km) + $0.70/km (after) + $0.40 platform fee
<5kg, 32cm x 25cm x 12cm
Instant delivery (Car)
$9 base price +$1.2/km (first 5km) + $0.70/km (after) + $0.40 platform fee
<20kg, 70cm x 50cm x 50cm
Instant delivery (Van)
$28 base price + $0.70/km + $0.40 platform fee
<50kg, 160cm x 120cm x 100cm
Grab’s GrabExpress is an on-demand delivery service that works pretty much like Grab’s ride-hailing service. But instead of delivering you to your destination, your ride will deliver your item.
GrabExpress starts with a very cheap base fare compared to the competitors below, but the per-km fees are high. So it’s best for short distance deliveries.
On GrabExpress, you can choose either their 4 hour delivery service or instant delivery service. What’s the difference between them? In a nutshell, the 4 hour service is slower and more affordable, while the instant service delivers your item faster but at a higher price. For instant delivery, charges are taxi-style: Start with a base fare, then a distance-based fee kicks in. Here are more differences between them:
Instant delivery
4 hour delivery
Price
More expensive (see table above for more details)
More affordable
Pickup
Within 30 minutes
Within 2 hours
Drop-off
Within 90 minutes
Within 4 hours
Vehicle(s) and item size/weight limits
Bike: 32x25x12cm, <5kg
Car: 70x50x50, <20kg
Large: 160x120x100cm, <50kg
Bike: 32x25x12cm, <5kg
Delivery guarantee
Yes—up to $500 coverage for item loss or damage. Add $4 for $1,000 coverage or $7 for $2,000 coverage.
Eligible for GrabRewards points?
Yes
No
How does GrabExpress work?
Open your Grab mobile app and select “Express”. Input the pickup point and delivery destination, then select either their 4 hour or instant delivery service. If you choose instant delivery, you’ll also be able to select your vehicle type (bike/car/large). Finally, input the approximate weight of your item, item type (e.g. document, electronics, clothing), and select your delivery guarantee.
Can I send food on GrabExpress?
You definitely can via their instant delivery service, but Grab doesn’t recommend you send anything fragile or perishable using their 4 hour option. Whatever you send will be batched with other people’s Grab Express items, and may be on the roads for up to 4 hours.
Can I schedule a GrabExpress booking in advance?
Good question. By right, you can schedule a GrabExpress booking for both instant and 4 hour deliveries up to 7 days in advance. Yet Grab also says GrabExpress is for on-demand deliveries only. What is the truth? I’m as confused as you.
I put things to the test by trying to book GrabExpress in the app, and found that I could only schedule a pickup up to 2 days in advance, and only for the 4 hour delivery service. Our advice is not to bother trawling through the Grab Help Centre (we tried that already) and just try your luck with the app. It looks like scheduling a pick up on GrabExpress depends on the current demand and vehicle availability.
8. Lalamove—Up to 5,000 kg via lorry
Lalamove vehicle
Delivery fee
Weight & size limit
Motorcycle
Base fare $9 (under 1km) + $0.35/km (first 10km) + $0.40/km (> 10km)
8 kg, 40 × 30 × 30 cm
Car
Base fare $12 (under 1km) + $1/km (first 3km) + $0.45/km
20 kg, 70 × 50 × 50 cm
MPV
Base fare $19 + $0.50/km
50 kg, 110 × 80 × 50 cm
1.7m Van
Base fare $26 + $0.50/km
400 kg, 160 × 120 × 100 cm
2.4m Van
Base fare $32 + $0.50/km
800 kg, 230 × 120 × 120 cm
10ft Lorry
Base fare $42 + $0.75/km
1,200 kg, 290 × 140 × 170 cm
14ft Lorry
Base fare $79 + $0.75/km
2,000 kg, 420 × 170 × 190 cm
24 ft Lorry
Base fare $125 + $1/km
5,000 kg, 750 × 230 × 230 cm
Lalamove has a wide range of vehicles and delivery services available 24/7. They can help you move everything from an 8 kg item on a motorcycle to a 5,000 kg load on a 24 ft lorry.
Everything is done on-demand so the recipient doesn’t have to hang around and wait all day. They’ll match you with nearby Lalamove drivers so that your waiting time is minimal. The driver will also help you with moving and loading the goods—so go ahead, buy that second-hand piano on Carousell.
9. GetVan—Up to 40 boxes of 55cm each via lorry
GetVan service
Delivery fee
Dimensions limit
Regular (small van)
$35 base + $0.80/km
~8 boxes, each 55x55x55cm
Large (big van)
$40 base + $0.80/km
~16 boxes, each 55x55x55cm
Extra large (10ft or 14ft lorry)
$70 base + $1.00/km
~40 boxes, each 55x55x55cm
Like Lalamove, GetVan specialises in super bulky deliveries done instantly, on demand. (Except for the XL lorry, which needs to be booked 2 hours in advance.)
Looking at the published rates, GetVan generally charges lower base rates compared to Lalamove, but higher per-km fees. It might be more worthwhile to use GetVan for short distance deliveries.
The fee for single trips includes loading/unloading time (20min each) and “assisted-moving”. But if you have items that are more troublesome to move like small furniture, bulky & unpacked items, you’ll have to pay an extra $10. If you want the driver to handle the move alone or want additional manpower, you need to fork out an additional $20 and $30 respectively.
10. GogoX (Van & Lorry)
GogoX vehicle
Delivery fee
Size limit
Motorcycle
$13 – $24
5kg, 35 x 25 x 12 cm
Car
$13 – $35
20kg, 70 x 50 x 50 cm
Van
Base: $24 – $38
500kg, 2.3 x 1.2 x 1.2 m
10ft Lorry
Base: $42 – $71
1,000kg, 3 x 1.5 x 1.5m
14ft Lorry
Base: $80 – $104
2,500kg, 4.2 x 2 x 2 m
24ft Lorry
Base: $143 – $167
5,000kg, 7.5 x 2.3 x 2.3 m
Note: The base price for the van and lorry options only includes loading and unloading service by the driver.
GoGoX (formerly known as GoGoVan) works pretty much the same way as Lalamove and GetVan. Book a vehicle any time, any day of the week, and get your stuff delivered right away.
You can’t get an exact GogoX quotation without signing up for an account. But from the published base rates, prices look quite similar to that of Lalamove.
11. Pickupp—Up to 15kg, same day or 1-3 days delivery
Pickupp
Delivery fee
Weight & Size limit classes
Express (2 hours)
$11.88 – $17.28
40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm, 5 kg
50 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm, 10 kg
60 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm, 15 kg
Express (4 hours)
$10.80 – $16.20
Standard delivery (1 to 3 days)
$3.89 – $6.05
40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm, 5 kg
50 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm, 10 kg
Pickupp is a decent delivery option for parcels up to 15kg. Their standard delivery is more affordable than the same-day express delivery options. However, from fiddling around the website as of 14 Apr 2023, it appears that parcels over 10kg aren’t accepted for standard delivery.
In terms of coverage, Pickupp will dole out a maximum of $50 in case your parcel is lost or damaged. It isn’t much, but at least you don’t have to pay extra for it.
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Original article: 10 Best Courier Services in Singapore—Cheapest Fees, Fastest Deliveries.
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