Container Shipping to Chile — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Chile?
- Two-ocean connectivity. Chile’s twin hubs — San Antonio on the Pacific and Valparaíso just north of it — handled 1 million TEU and 75 200 TEU (Jan 2025) respectively, topping the country’s port league tables. (saamterminals.com, datamarnews.com)
- Fast inland access. San Antonio sits 110 km from Santiago; Maersk’s Accelerate program delivers containers to the capital within 48 h of vessel arrival. (maersk.com)
- Record-size air-cargo gateway. Santiago (SCL) moved ≈ 410 000 t of freight in 2024, dominated by salmon and cherry exports, and offers multiple weekly freighters from Asia and the U.S. (aviacionline.com)
- One dashboard, every mode. Compare FCL, LCL and air freight in seconds, book online, upload documents and track milestones in real time. (See our FCL services, LCL services, and air-freight services.)
- Chile-specific compliance help. We guide you through 19 % IVA (VAT) on imports and the Ministry of Agriculture’s SAG phytosanitary permits for food or wood packaging. (taxsummaries.pwc.com, apps.fas.usda.gov)
Our Container Shipping Services to Chile
Full Container Load (FCL)
Most-used mode for machinery, vehicles and consumer goods feeding Chile’s long north-south market.
Typical routes & times
- Shanghai → San Antonio: 40′ FCL, 30 – 35 days via Pacific loops.
- Rotterdam → San Antonio: 40′ FCL, 25 – 30 days with one trans-shipment (often Callao).
Ports served: San Antonio (STI + DP World) and Valparaíso; both connect to the country-wide Ruta 5 highway for door delivery.
Opportunity: New cold-chain terminals expedite temperature-controlled imports such as pharmaceuticals and specialty foods.
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Pay only for the space you use — ideal for < 15 m³ / < 12 t.
Weekly consolidations from Shenzhen, Hamburg and Miami feed bonded CFS warehouses in Santiago.
SMEs routinely ship electronics, wine & spirits, outdoor apparel and spare parts this way.
Transit-time samples
- Hamburg → San Antonio: 32 – 35 days port-to-CFS.
- Callao → Valparaíso: 5 – 7 days feeder.
Need speed? Critical samples can fly into SCL and reach Santiago free-zones in 24 – 48 h.
Container shipping rates to Chile
How much does it cost to ship a container to Chile?
How Long Does It Take?
- East Asia → San Antonio/Valparaíso: 30 – 35 days
- Europe → Central Chile: 25 – 30 days (via one trans-shipment)
- US West Coast → Chile: 12 – 18 days direct Pacific services
- Air freight via SCL: 1–3 days door-to-door within the Americas; 3–5 days ex-Europe/Asia
Popular Trade Lanes & Ports
| Trade Lane | Weekly Service Highlights |
|---|---|
| Pacific Asia | Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian → San Antonio |
| North Europe | Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg → San Antonio / Valparaíso |
| West Coast S. America | Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador) → Valparaíso |
| Feeder Network | San Antonio ↔ Arica, Iquique, Puerto Montt |
6 Simple Steps to Book with iContainers
- Get an instant quote for FCL, LCL or air.
- Upload paperwork — commercial invoice, packing list, HS codes, SAG permits if required.
- Confirm & pay online.
- Track gate-in, departure, arrival and customs release in real time.
- Customs clearance — DIY in Chile’s SISCOMEX system or let our broker handle IVA and duties.
- Arrange final-mile trucking to Santiago, Concepción or your bonded warehouse.
What Can You Ship to Chile?
Common Commodities
- Automotive parts
- Consumer electronics
- Industrial machinery
- Fashion & outdoor gear
- Pharmaceuticals
- Processed foods
Restricted / Prohibited Goods
- Agricultural products without SAG phytosanitary clearance
- Used tires and right-hand-drive vehicles
- Hazardous chemicals lacking IMDG paperwork
- Counterfeit brands and pirated media
- Untreated wood packaging (ISPM-15)
Main ports in Chile
FAQs About Shipping Containers to Chile
Use our quote tool — rates include ocean freight, fuel and Chilean terminal charges.
For < 15 m³, weekly LCL consolidation usually beats FCL.
Not legally, but strongly recommended; add full-value coverage at checkout.
Yes—a flat 19 % IVA is levied on CIF value at customs. taxsummaries.pwc.com
Yes—SAG may require a phytosanitary certificate and can order random fumigation or re-export if standards aren’t met. apps.fas.usda.gov