In short: Shopee and Lazada are the two marketplaces that matter most for Singapore and wider Southeast Asia in 2026, and both now offer cross-border programmes built specifically for Chinese-sourced inventory — Shopee's cross-border seller programme and Lazada's LazGlobal. The catch for Singapore-based sellers: since the Low-Value Goods (LVG) regime took effect, GST at 9% applies to nearly all imported goods sold to Singapore consumers, regardless of value, so your landed-cost math needs to include tax on every unit, not just bulk shipments.

Which marketplace should you use: Shopee or Lazada?

Most sellers serving Singapore and SEA end up running both. Shopee typically charges lower commission (roughly 2-6% depending on category) and has the larger active buyer base across the region. Lazada's edge is Cainiao-integrated logistics from China, which can mean faster, cheaper freight for China-sourced stock, plus RMB settlement for sellers registered under LazGlobal.

If you're just starting and sourcing a single hero product, Shopee is usually the faster path to your first sale. If you're running a broader catalogue and want tighter integration with Chinese freight and warehousing, Lazada's LazGlobal programme is worth the extra registration steps.

How does Singapore GST apply to imported goods now?

Since 1 January 2023, Singapore's Low-Value Goods regime requires GST-registered overseas vendors and marketplaces to charge GST at the point of sale on goods imported by air or post, regardless of value — closing the old exemption for shipments under SGD 400. GST is currently 9%. In practice, Shopee and Lazada both handle this collection automatically for cross-border listings, but if you import bulk stock into a Singapore warehouse yourself first, GST is payable at the border on that shipment instead.

Worked example: landed cost holding stock in Singapore

Most standard goods entering Singapore attract 0% customs duty (Singapore has very few tariff lines), so GST is typically the only import tax you need to plan for — which makes Singapore one of the simpler markets in this region to model costs for.

How do you register to sell cross-border from China?

Lazada's LazGlobal programme lets sellers register with a Chinese business licence, ship via Cainiao directly from China, and get paid in RMB — no Singapore entity required to start. Shopee's cross-border seller programme works similarly, though standard Shopee Singapore seller accounts generally expect a local business registration (ACRA) if you're holding and dispatching stock from within Singapore itself.

Air freight or sea freight for Shopee/Lazada inventory?

For testing a new SKU, air freight into Changi is fast (3-6 days) but costly per kilogram. Once a product proves it sells, switching to sea freight via PSA port drops your per-unit freight cost substantially, at the cost of a 15-20 day transit time. Most established sellers keep a small air-freighted buffer stock while the bulk of inventory arrives by sea.

If you're also comparing whether Singapore or a neighbouring market makes more sense as your primary base, our complete guide to importing from China to Singapore covers the wider entry requirements, and our step-by-step customs clearance guide walks through the paperwork for your first shipment.

FAQ

Do I need a Singapore company to sell on Shopee or Lazada?

Not necessarily to start. Lazada's LazGlobal and Shopee's cross-border programmes both allow registration with a Chinese business licence and direct shipping from China. You'll need a local entity only once you're holding inventory in a Singapore warehouse or want access to local-seller benefits and faster delivery badges.

Is GST charged on every single order, no matter how small?

Under the Low-Value Goods regime, yes — GST-registered platforms like Shopee and Lazada are required to charge 9% GST at checkout on low-value imported goods, removing the old under-SGD-400 exemption.

What's the biggest mistake first-time China-to-SEA sellers make?

Underestimating freight lead times and ordering too little safety stock. A 15-25 day sea freight transit plus customs clearance means a stock-out can take a month to recover from — sellers who don't plan reorder timing around this lose momentum on the platform's ranking algorithm.

Can the same product listing work across Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines?

Shopee and Lazada both operate as separate country-specific marketplaces even though they share a regional brand, so you'll need separate listings, compliance checks (each country has its own product safety and labelling rules), and often separate stock pools per country.

How do I vet a Chinese supplier before committing to bulk stock for SEA marketplaces?

The same due-diligence steps apply as any China sourcing relationship — verify the business licence, request a factory audit or third-party inspection, and start with a smaller trial order before scaling. Our guide to finding a sourcing agent in Singapore covers vetting criteria and typical fees in detail.

How Epic Sourcing helps

Our bilingual team in China handles supplier vetting, quality inspection, and freight consolidation for sellers building on Shopee and Lazada — so your stock lands compliant, on time, and priced with the real landed cost baked in from day one. If you're sourcing from Vietnam as an alternative or complement to China, see our Vietnam sourcing guide for how that market compares. Get in touch to plan your first shipment.

Last updated: August 20, 2026