Amazon Kindle Paperwhite too expensive in Singapore? We’ll show you how to get it cheaper from Amazon US instead in this step-by-step guide!
Over the past couple of years, just sitting down and reading a book has become more and more of a rare occurrence for me. Call it a shorter attention span or the presence of more distractions, it’s only seemed to get harder. While I’ve always wanted to get back on the reading bandwagon, there’s never been anything that’s pushed me into making it a habit.
Enter e-readers. Over the years, the emergence of e-readers has given rise to a cheaper, easier and faster way to get your hands on pretty much any book in the world. And once you have access to the books, you literally can carry millions of books with you wherever you go and read one anytime.
If you’re also someone like me who’s looking to reignite a reading habit through these nifty devices, you’ll already know that there are plenty of options out there when it comes to e-readers, from Kindles to Kobos.
So instead of doing a comparison of the various readers out there, this article is all about one that I’ve already got my eyes on – the Kindle Paperwhite. Specifically, it’s about finding the cheapest way to get one.
Where Can I Find The Cheapest Kindle Paperwhite?
You may naturally turn to some of the local online stores like Lazada to find whatever you’re looking for. When it comes to e-readers, you may even find yourself directed to stores like SG E-Readershop. However, doing this is a blind spot that’ll cause you to end up paying more than necessary.
If this is your first time here, you may not already be aware that there are plenty of products that you can get cheaper simply by purchasing them from overseas online stores. Don’t believe me? Check out our guides to scoring cheaper A&F clothes, cheaper iPad Pro, cheaper AirPods, and even cheaper Muji items!
If this isn’t your first time, here’s one more thing that you can add to the list of stuff that you actually should purchase from an overseas store, and we’re back to our favourite Amazon US.
Obviously, the first thing you’ll want to see is a price breakdown, and don’t worry – the math checks out. Here’s a comparison between some local listings and the Amazon US listing of the Kindle Paperwhite:
Store | Price | Shipping | Total Cost |
SG E-Readershop | S$205 | Free | S$205 |
Lazada | S$179.99 | S$1.49 | S$181.48 |
Amazon US | US$99.99 (~S$139) | ~S$3.99 | ~S$142.99 |
How’s that for ~S$38.50 in savings? One thing to note is that I got the Kindle Paperwhite for US$99.99 during an Amazon sale, and it may not be the same price by the time you read this. However, if you don’t need an e-reader immediately, just wait for the next Amazon sale. They have plenty throughout the year!

How Do I Access Amazon US?
I see that you’re new around here, fret not – I’ll guide you step-by-step until your Kindle Paperwhite reaches your doorstep. Simply key in any US ZIP code if you aren’t able to access Amazon US prices. I’m using 97250, so feel free to use the same one. Don’t worry, the ZIP code won’t be applied to your shipping address, as it’s only for “unlocking” Amazon US prices.
How Do I Ship My Kindle Paperwhite to Singapore?
Free shipping doesn’t mean it’s the best deal. What you might have noticed about my price breakdown above is that it seems to go against the traditional instinct of going with the option that offers free shipping. Because as you can see, that doesn’t always translate into being the cheapest option!
Plus, there’s a variety of options when it comes to international shipping, just take a look at our Best US Freight Forwarders guide.
The Kindle Paperwhite is listed as 6.4 oz (182 g) on Amazon US and it’s safe to say that everything should be within 500g with packaging included. For maximum savings, we’ll use each freight forwarder’s cheapest shipping option: ezShip’s Economy, vPost’s Economy, and Comgateway’s Standard Shipping.
- ezShip: ~S$3.99
- vPost: ~S$17.95
- Comgateway: ~US$14.79 (S$20.60)
The good thing about both ezShip’s and vPost’s Economy option is that they charge by actual weight instead of volumetric weight, so that you won’t get a price shock when your package arrives at the US warehouse. Why does volumetric weight matter, you ask? Here’s the logic behind volumetric vs actual weight when it comes to shipping.
Comgateway’s Standard Shipping, on the other hand, states that it charges by whichever weight is higher. Comgateway is also the most expensive among them because their insurance is compulsory.
If you’re new to freight forwarders, we’ve got the best step-by-step guides here to help you navigate the world of shipping:
- 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 US Address?
Once you’ve selected a freight forwarder to go with, you’ll receive a designated US shipping address upon sign-up!
How Do I Order on Amazon US?
While it’s exactly the same as buying from any online store, there are two points you need to note:
- Fill in your US shipping address exactly as given to you by your freight forwarder.
- During payment, select “USD” and use your YouTrip card to checkout.
In the unlikely event that you run into any issues during payment, just link your YouTrip card to your PayPal account with the proper settings, and you’ll be able to checkout with no sweat.
When Will My Kindle Paperwhite Arrive at the US Warehouse?
Okay, so once you’ve paid for your Kindle Paperwhite on Amazon US, it’ll be dispatched to your freight forwarder’s warehouse in the US.
Some freight forwarders like ezShip may require tracking or detail details from you, so remember to fetch these info from your Amazon orders section and submit to your freight forwarder. This is to ensure that they’ll be on the lookout for your package once it arrives at their warehouse.
I know what you’re thinking. A little troublesome? Well, other freight forwarders like Comgateway know how you feel so they don’t need you to submit anything. Just kick back and wait for them to notify you automatically when your package arrives. Remember, Comgateway is slightly costlier, so such value-added services are common.
My Kindle Paperwhite Has Arrived at the US Warehouse!
Alright fellow bookworm, make sure you’ve entered your Singapore shipping address into your freight forwarder account and pay for the Singapore shipping. Your beloved Kindle Paperwhite should be at your doorstep in a week’s time.
And this is how I saved close to S$40 by getting my Kindle Paperwhite from Amazon US instead. While the warranty becomes ambiguous, I’m actually good with this because I haven’t experienced any devices that malfunctioned during its warranty period. But that’s just me! If you’re particular about warranties, I’d suggest you take a look at the fine print before following my journey. It may be a little bit more work, so you’ll have to decide for yourself if the savings are worth a small sacrifice of convenience.
While this guide is all about the Kindle Paperwhite, I hope it’s enough of an incentive for you not to limit your search for an e-reader to local online stores. Venture to overseas stores, and you may just be surprised at the savings! And of course, don’t forget to pay in USD with your YouTrip card and enjoy Wholesale Exchange Rates!
Read: Cheapest Nintendo Switch Guide
Read: Anova Sous Vide: How to Get a Cheaper Precision Cooker
Read: Muji-Style Furniture That Doesn’t Cost a Bomb
Read: 10 Best Affordable Cat Condos & Houses From Taobao
Read: Sephora vs Cult Beauty: Who Has Cheaper Skincare & Makeup?
Enjoy overseas payment with no fees worldwide!