Freight Forwarding in
Chile
South America's most stable economy and free-trade champion. We navigate Chile's modern ports and clear cargo for the mining, agriculture, and retail sectors.
Trade & Logistics in Chile
Chile is South America's most developed economy ($380B+ GDP), known for mining (copper, lithium), agriculture (fruit, wine), and political stability. The country has extensive free trade agreements (USA, EU, China, ASEAN, etc.), making tariffs competitive. Logistics to Chile involves three main ports: Valparaiso (near Santiago, 45% volume), San Antonio (south of Santiago, 45% volume), and Iquique (far north, 10% volume). Port clearance is fast and efficient (2–3 days standard), a stark contrast to other South American countries. Ground distribution from ports to Santiago (central Chile) is 120 km (2 hours) and well-developed. Customs (SAT) are professional and streamlined. Import tariff: 0–6% typical (lowest in South America due to FTAs). We maintain offices in Valparaiso and Santiago and clear 180+ containers monthly.
Key Exports
Key Imports
Key Trade Statistics
$75B (2023)
Annual Imports
$95B (2023)
Annual Exports
Major Ports & Airports
Port of Valparaiso
CLVP
Chile's oldest and closest port to Santiago (45% of national volume). 2.0 million TEU/year. Modern facilities, fast clearance (2–3 days). Premium pricing due to convenience.
Port of San Antonio
CLSAI
South of Valparaiso (40% of volume). 1.8 million TEU/year. Modern, less congested than Valparaiso. 3–4 hour truck ride to Santiago.
Port of Iquique
CLIQ
Far north (mining region, 10% of volume). 0.3 million TEU/year. Free Trade Zone (ZFE), duty-free for re-export. Logistics hub for Andean region (Peru, Bolivia).
Santiago Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez (AMB)
SCEL
Chile's main international airport. Modern cargo terminal. 0.3 million metric tons/year. Flights to Americas, Europe, Asia.
Popular Shipping Routes — Chile
Customs Requirements for Chile
SAT (Servicio de Aduanas) administers Chilean customs via SIM (Sistema de Información de Aduanas). Import declaration required. Tariff: 0–6% typical (among lowest in South America due to extensive FTAs; China/USA: 0%, EU: 6%). NO import licenses required for most goods. Port clearance: FAST. 2–3 days at Valparaiso/San Antonio. Iquique: duty-free zone for re-export. No additional health/environmental inspections typical. Professional, efficient process. We file SIM declarations and leverage FTA benefits to minimize duties.
Services Available for Chile
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping to Chile
What documents are needed to ship to Chile?
Key documents include a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and Customs Declaration (DIN). SAG permits are required for food and agricultural products.
How long does ocean freight take to Chile?
Ocean freight from the US West Coast to San Antonio or Valparaiso takes 12-18 days. Air freight from Miami to Santiago takes 2-3 business days.
What customs duties apply in Chile?
Chile has a uniform 6% import duty for most goods, one of the lowest in Latin America. A 19% VAT applies. The US-Chile FTA can eliminate duties on qualifying goods.
What are Chile's main ports?
San Antonio and Valparaiso are the primary container ports. Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago is the main cargo hub.
Does Suaid Global handle SAG inspections for Chile?
Yes, Suaid Global coordinates with Chile's SAG for phytosanitary inspections and permits required for food, agricultural, and animal products.
Free Logistics Tools
Freight Rate Calculator
Estimate ocean (FCL/LCL), air freight, and express shipping costs by route, weight, and volume. Compare all modes side-by-side.
CBM Calculator
Calculate cubic meters from package dimensions. Multi-package support, container recommendations, and chargeable weight for air and ocean.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate door-to-door shipping times for any route. Compare ocean, air, and express with detailed timeline breakdowns.
Tariff Simulator
Calculate import duties for any country pair. US, EU, Brazil, China, and UK tariff rates with HS code lookup.
Start Shipping to/from Chile
Get a free quote in 24 hours. Real compliance expertise. No surprises.