Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones too expensive in Singapore? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get them cheaper from Amazon US instead with freight forwarding!
I’ll be the first person to admit that staying home all the time has driven me a little insane. Between my dogs and my family, it can feel like I never get a moments peace. And so I decided to get a pair of noise cancelling headphones – the Bose ones, to be precise. But even though I’m trying to invest in a good pair of headphones, it doesn’t mean I’m willing to pay through the nose for them.
I’ve set my eyes on the Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Bluetooth Headphones 700, which I’ll just refer to as “Bose Headphones” from now because it’s a mouthful. And you can bet that I’ve got a method to get them cheaper from overseas – after all I’m also your trusty plug for getting cheaper AirPods, cheaper iPad Pro, and even cheaper Muji items.
And yes, even after adding shipping and GST, the Bose Headphones are still cheaper than what’s retailing in Singapore.
So Just How Much Cheaper Are The Bose Headphones On Amazon US?

Lazada | Amazon US | |
Price | S$529 | US$299 (~S$413.50) |
Shipping | S$1.49 | ~S$7.98 |
GST | – | ~S$28.95 |
Total Cost | S$530.49 | ~S$450.40 |
These Bose Headphones are available on Lazada for S$529. Meanwhile, the same headphones are available on Amazon US for US$299 (~S$413.50). Of course, the listing on Amazon may get even cheaper when there’s a sale, so make sure you pay attention!
I selected the cheapest shipping option (which I’ll talk about below) so I can save as much as possible. Even after we factor in GST for the headphones and shipping, you can still save about ~S$80!
Wait… Why Can’t I See The Price On Amazon?
If this is your first time buying from Amazon US, don’t worry. I was confused on my first try too! Because Amazon US has stores that only ship to the US, you’ll need a US ZIP code in order to view the prices. You can use any ZIP code, since this ZIP code won’t be applied to your actual shipping address.
Personally, I use the ZIP code “97250”. Feel free to use it as well!
How Can I Ship The Bose Headphones From The US To Singapore?
In order to ship your US items to Singapore, you’ll have to use a freight forwarder. A freight forwarder is a company that receives your packages in their US warehouse, and then forwards it to your Singapore mailing address.
Based on the package description on Amazon, below is an estimate of how much shipping would cost with three popular US freight forwarders.
- Comgateway: US$29.40 (~S$40.70)
- vPost: ~S$17.45
- ezbuy’s ezShip: ~S$7.98
I’d choose ezShip to maximise on my savings, since they offer the cheapest shipping fee. One of colleagues bought over S$400 worth of computer parts from the US and the UK, and he picked vPost instead because he needed timely SMS and email tracking updates. You can check out his personal vPost review here and see if that’s something you’d be keen about.
If you’re wondering why Comgateway is way costlier, that’s because they have compulsory insurance included as well. Anyway, no matter which freight forwarder you pick, you can also rely on our dummies guide below to help you out:
- Comgateway Guide: How to Ship From USA to Singapore
- vPost Shipping Guide: How to Use vPost Step-by-Step
- ezShip Shipping Guide: How to Use ezShip Step-by-Step
How Do I Get My Own US Shipping Address?
Whichever freight forwarder you choose, all you have to do is register for an account and you’ll be able to locate your US shipping address under the address tab. Easy, right?
How Do I Place My Amazon US Order?
Luckily, placing an order on Amazon US is almost identical to placing an order on Amazon Singapore. To make sure your order goes as smoothly as possible, there’s two things you should keep in mind:
- Key in your US address exactly as it appears on your freight forwarder account, especially the name that the package needs to be addressed to.
- Ensure you check out using your YouTrip card, and select your card currency as USD.
In the unlikely scenario that you experience any difficulty paying with your YouTrip card, just add it to your PayPal account with the correct settings, and you should be good to go.
Okay, I’ve Placed My Amazon US Order: Now What?
It depends on which freight forwarder you’ve chosen. For certain freight forwarders, you’ll need to enter your Amazon tracking number and details into your freight forwarder account. This is for the freight forwarder to inform you once your Bose Headphones have arrived.
On the other hand, some freight forwarders won’t require you to do anything other than wait for your package to arrive. Once it does, they’ll inform you automatically. Your best bet would be to check what your freight forwarder requires from you, and follow their instructions.
Whoa – My Bose Headphones Are Already In The Warehouse!
You’re so close to getting your new Bose Headphones you can almost hear the music pulsing through them. But before that, there’s the small matter of paying your shipping fees.
Fortunately, it’s not a complicated process. Simply fill in your Singapore mailing address and pay your shipping fees. Afterwards, just wait for your package to arrive! Don’t worry, it shouldn’t take longer than a week or two.
What About My Warranty?
On the Amazon listing, they state that the warranty can be requested from Amazon Customer Service. Unfortunately, it’s not clear if the warranty will be valid in Singapore.
For what it’s worth, I’m personally willing to go without a warranty if I’m able to save ~S$80 off the local price. For practicalities sake, I have to let you know that you should only purchase the Bose Headphones from Amazon US if you’re willing to go without a warranty.
How Am I Supposed To Pay For GST?
Singapore Customs state that you’ll need to pay GST on items that cost more than S$400 (freight inclusive). Some freight forwarders will bundle in your GST price, while others may not. If your freight forwarder doesn’t offer to allow you to pay GST through them, don’t worry! You can just do what I did and follow the steps on Singapore Customs to declare your Bose Headphones and pay your GST.
Now that you know this neat trick, tell us if there’s any other good deals you want to hear about at content@you.co. If you’re going to use this “hack”, remember to pay using your YouTrip card to enjoy Wholesale Exchange Rates on your Amazon US purchases!
*All currency conversion rates are accurate to nearest 10 cents on 23 July 2020 SGT 16:00
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