Ship container to Central America — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Central America?
- World-class trans-shipment hub. Panama’s Caribbean–Pacific port complex handled 9.57 million TEU in 2024, +15 % YoY. Within it, Manzanillo International Terminal moves 2.7 million TEU and Balboa 2.6 million TEU a year, giving you daily main-line sailings in both oceans (logistics.gatech.pa)
- Region-wide reach from a single gateway. Feeder services link Panama with Costa Rica’s APM Terminals Moín (1.26 million TEU in 2023) and Honduras’ Puerto Cortés (~200 000 TEU) in under 48 hours apmterminals.comcoreties.com.
- Fastest air-cargo option in Central America. Tocumen Airport (PTY) moved 216 653 t of freight in 2024, while Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría (SJO) handled a record ≈102 000 t—perfect for urgent spares logistics.gatech.pa, en.wikipedia.org).
- iContainers one-stop dashboard. Compare FCL, LCL and air quotes in seconds, upload customs docs, track milestones in real time, and tap our local brokerage partners for SIMP/DUCA filings across the region.
Our Container Shipping Services to Central America
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Most-used mode for high-volume exports such as bananas, coffee and sugar—as well as inbound machinery and consumer goods.
Typical routes & times
- Shanghai → Colón (MIT/Balboa): 29–34 days direct main-line service
- Rotterdam → Puerto Limón (Moín): 14–18 days via Atlantic loops
Opportunity: Seamless cross-docking at Panama lets you split cargo to both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, shaving up to a week off onward transit to Guatemala, Honduras or Costa Rica.
Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping
- Ideal for < 15 m³ / < 12 t—pay only for the space you use.
- Weekly consolidations feed Moín, Puerto Cortés, Colón and Santo Tomás de Castilla from Miami, Antwerp and Shenzhen.
- Popular for craft foods, spare parts, apparel samples and e-commerce restocks.
Need speed? Book air freight via PTY or SJO and reach most Central-American capitals within 24–72 hours door-to-door.
Container shipping rates to Central America
How much does it cost to ship a container to Asia?
How Long Does It Take?
- US Gulf / East Coast → Central America: 4–8 days direct services
- Europe → Caribbean side: 14–18 days
- East Asia → Central America (via Panama): 29–34 days
- Air freight via PTY/SJO: 1–3 days door-to-door within the Americas; 3–5 days ex-Europe/Asia
Popular Routes & Ports
| Trade Lane | Main Ports Served |
|---|---|
| Caribbean Loop | Manzanillo (MIT), Colón CCT, Puerto Limón-Moín, Puerto Cortés |
| Pacific Loop | Balboa, Puerto Quetzal, Acajutla, Puerto Caldera |
| Feeder Networks | MIT/Balboa ↔ Belize City, Santo Tomás de Castilla, Corinto |
| Air Hubs | Tocumen (PTY), Juan Santamaría (SJO), La Aurora (GUA) |
Steps to Book Your Shipment with iContainers
- Generate an instant quote (FCL, LCL or air freight).
- Upload paperwork—commercial invoice, packing list, DUCA/SIMP where required.
- Confirm & pay online.
- Track gate-in, departure, trans-shipment and arrival in one dashboard.
- Customs clearance—DIY or have our licensed brokers file entries and duties.
- Arrange final-mile trucking to free-zones or distribution centres across the region.
What Can You Ship in a Container to Central America?
Common Commodities
- Bananas
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Apparel
- Automotive parts
- Medical devices
Restricted / Prohibited Goods
Counterfeit brands, firearms & ammunition, hazardous chemicals without permits, and untreated wooden packaging (ISPM-15).
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Central America
Use our instant quote tool—rates already bundle ocean freight, fuel and local terminal fees.
For cargo under about 15 m³, weekly LCL consolidation beats FCL.
Not by law, but strongly recommended—add full-value coverage at checkout.
Potentially; during low-water periods liners swap larger ships for feeders and discharge on both canal sides. We reroute automatically to keep ETAs stable.
Yes—our broker network covers Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, so your multi-stop supply chain stays under one roof.