Singapore imports a significant volume of 925 sterling silver jewelry from Indonesia every year. If you run a boutique in Singapore and you are sourcing jewelry, chances are some of your competitors are already buying from Surabaya.
This is why the trade route exists and what makes it work for boutique retailers specifically.
Geography and logistics
Singapore sits roughly 1,400 kilometres from Surabaya. A DHL shipment takes 2 to 3 business days. There are no major tariff complications for most jewelry categories under ASEAN trade agreements. For boutique buyers, this means short lead times, predictable shipping costs, and easy restocking without the delays that come with sourcing from further away.
The price and quality relationship
Indonesian silver manufacturers can produce at a price point that European and American manufacturers cannot match. Labor costs are lower, and Indonesia has its own silver supply chain that keeps material costs down.
The result is 925 sterling silver jewelry that can be sold at boutique retail prices with healthy margins, without compromising on quality. The craftsmanship tradition in Surabaya, particularly in the established jewelry district, has decades of history behind it.
What Singapore boutiques typically buy
From our Singapore buyers, the most consistent sellers are rings with semi-precious stones, layered necklace sets, and everyday earrings in simple geometric shapes. Pieces that work across multiple price points and appeal to both local Singaporeans and tourists looking for something distinctive.
Many Singapore boutiques run private label programs where they buy from Indonesian manufacturers and sell under their own store brand. The minimum quantities are low enough that even a small boutique can build a private label line without a large upfront investment. Our minimum is 15 pieces per design.
How the sourcing process works in practice
Most Singapore buyers start with a WhatsApp message. They browse the website, shortlist a few designs, and reach out for pricing. We send a quote within one business day. If they want samples, we produce them and ship via DHL. From first contact to delivery of a full order, the typical timeline is 6 to 10 weeks including the sample stage.
Repeat orders are faster once the designs are confirmed, usually 3 to 4 weeks from deposit to delivery.
What to look for when choosing a supplier
Not all Indonesian manufacturers export. Some work only with domestic buyers or large import companies. If you are a boutique looking to order directly from Indonesia, look for a manufacturer that has an established export process, communicates clearly in English, and has experience with the documentation your freight forwarder will need.
We have been exporting to Singapore buyers since the early 2000s. If you want to talk about sourcing, reach out on WhatsApp or through the contact form on this site.