Javier Yip is a millennial entrepreneur who believes in combining both traditional and digital strategies to build a successful organization. He founded Declarators in 2014 after leaving his office job from a MNC logistics organization. Since then, he has transformed Declarators Pte Ltd from a startup with one employee (himself) to one of the top established declaring agents in Singapore.

Declarators currently employs over 80 full-time staffs and has also won several recognized awards such as:

1) National Business Award 2020 – Best Declaring Agent 

2) Britcham Finalist 2020 – Customer Service Provider of the Year 

3) SME 100 Awards 2020 – Fast Moving Companies 

4) The Straits Times “Singapore’s Fastest Growing Companies” 2021 – Ranked #19th 

5) Dun & Bradstreet Business Eminence 2021 Award  

6) Top 500 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 by The Financial Times, Nikkei and Statista – Ranked #99th 

7) ASEAN Business Awards 2021 (SME Growth) 

8) Total Defence Awards 2021 

9) Golden Bull Award 2021 

10) The Straits Times “Singapore’s Fastest Growing Companies” 2022 – Ranked #22nd 

11) APAC Insider – “Best Customs Permit Declaration Specialist 2022” 

12) Top 500 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2022 by The Financial Times- Ranked #140th 

13) The Straits Times “Singapore’s Fastest Growing Companies” 2023 – Ranked #37th 

14) Great Place to Work – Singapore 2023 

15) Top 500 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023 by The Financial Times- Ranked #182th 

16) Brands for Good 2023 – Honouree Category

17) Community Chest SHARE Award 2023 – Gold Category

18) The Straits Times “Singapore’s Fastest Growing Companies” 2024 – Ranked 28th

19) Top 500 High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2024 by The Financial Times- Ranked #181st

20) Influential Brands Top Employer Award 2024

21) Company of Good (3 Hearts) Award 2024

22) Brands for Good 2024 – Distinction Category

23) Corporate Wellness Champion 2024 (CCWC)

24) Total Defence Awards 2024

25) Superbrands 2024

26) Singapore Prestige 100 Award and the Top Business Service and Quality Award 2024/2025

27) SME Cyber Security Excellence Award 2024

On personal achievements, he has been awarded:

 1) Singapore Young Entrepreneur Award 2021 under the category “Jobs Creation and Economic Growth”, 

 2) Spirit of Enterprise Award 2022 

 3) EYA Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 (New Category).

 4) Fortune Singapore 40 Under 40 Business Leaders 2024

 5) EYA Entrepreneur of the Year 2023/2024 (Established Category). 

In 2023, driven by his passion and fondness for edible insects, he established Insect Food Pte Ltd, the first and largest importer and supplier of insect food for Human Consumption in Singapore.

Javier Yip has over 20 years of freight/customs compliance knowledge since he started his logistics career in 2005 as an Assistant Export Officer (the lowest junior position) working on the night shift in a local freight forwarding company. Subsequently he worked his way up over 9 years in 3 different logistics organizations before starting his entrepreneurship journey.

During his teenage years while waiting for “O” Level results, he has worked several part time odd jobs such as a waiter, dishwasher, flyer distributor, warehouse packer, factory operator, retail assistant at pasar malams/supermarkets and even as a TV extra. Most of these jobs were extremely long hours with very low pay  (SGD4.50 to SGD5 per hour). Through these jobs, he developed a strong work ethic, perseverance, positive mindset and realized the importance of financial literacy.

Javier Yip holds a Bachelor Degree of Science (Finance) from University College Dublin and Diploma in Information Technology (IT) from Temasek Polytechnic. Outside of work, he enjoys riding his motorbike and spending free time with his family.

In the past, he has participated in endurance events such as the gruesome Mediacorp Subaru Challenge where he lasted 77 hours 55 minutes in 2015 (3rd position) and Courts Marathon 36 Hours Challenge 2012 where he emerged victorious with his team. He has also completed 2 full Standard-Chartered marathons, 3 vertical marathons and a bungy jump in New Zealand. His main reasons for joining these events was to challenge himself both physically and mentally to the maximum limits, for the ultimate purpose of self improvement and emerging with a stronger willpower.

Interviews & Articles:

  – SME 100 Award winner interview

  – SYEA Award 2021 winner interview

  – Article from Exabytes, Declarators – Perseverance is key to success

  – Article from SME Magazine Issue 37 Singapore

  – Declarators, a home grown declaring agent won eight awards in 2021

  – EYA Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 Video Interview

  – Brands for Goods 2023 Article

  – Singapore Prestige 100 Award and Top Business Service and Quality Award 2024/2025

  – Javier Yip’s Journey – Building Declarators from Challenge to Triumph

  – Featured Article from Zaobao 2024, Success with Speed

  – Superbrands 2024 Publication 

  – Worms over Wagyu: The Rise of Insect Protein Players in Singapore