Iquique is a port city and commune in northern Chile. It lies on the Pacific coast and has a population of roughly 180,000. Today it is one of only two free ports of Chile. If you’re an exporter, you should explore ocean freight to Iquique.
Iquique has one of the largest duty-free commercial port centers in South America, the Zona Franca of Iquique (Free Zone of Iquique), traditionally called ZOFRI. There is nearly one square mile of warehouses, bank branches, and restaurants. It has become an important center of trade for foreign countries in the region, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia. ZOFRI’s strategic location allows it to be the entrance and exit for products that traded among Mercosur countries, Latin America, and Asia. It is the economic engine of Iquique.
Copper mining, mainly in Quebrada Blanca, Cerro Colorado, and Doña Inés de Collahuasí, is also an important industry in Iquique. Those seeking to export goods to Chile should learn more about ocean freight to Iquique.
The Port of Iquique is a Pacific Ocean port on the north coast of Chile. This location makes it a natural entrance and exit to the so-called central “cone” of South America, particularly for Asia Pacific merchants. The port has two terminals-Terminal N° 1 Pier and Terminal N° 2 Breakwater. The port offers cargo storage, bulk weighing, and parking, among other services offered by various concession holders. The port has an area of roughly 50 acres of water sheltered by the former Serrano Island.
There are many other ports nearby that can serve as a good alternative for your ocean freight to Chile such as Port of San Antonio, the Port of Valparaiso and the Port of Callao.
→ Ship container to Valparaiso
→ Ship container to San Antonio
There are two possible ways to go when you are shipping a container to Iquique. You can either engage a full container load (FCL), or share a container using groupage (a less-than-container load, or LCL).
Choosing the right type of container load depends largely on your shipping volume. We recommend engaging a full container load (FCL) if the volume of your shipment is equal to six or more standard pallets. It’s useful to note that while a 40-foot container ships up to 22 standard pallets, a 20-foot shipping container takes ten. A full container load is also a good choice if you wish your goods to be isolated from those of other exporters.
Otherwise, a shared container (LCL)-also called groupage-is a good choice for smaller shipments. It requires you to pay only for the space you require. Please consult iContainers for rates and other important information.
For more information, please consult ship container rates for your ocean freight to Iquique here.