Ocean & Air Freight Shipping from the United States to Chile

The United States and Chile are two nations with distinct cultures and histories. Despite that, they have built a strong economic partnership that dates back to the early 10th century.

Bounded by the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement, the two nations enjoy reduced tariffs, paving the way for increased trade flows and investment opportunities. In 2022, the US exported $22.3 billion worth of goods to Chile, an increase of 28.5 percent from the previous year.

If you are looking to ship goods from the US to Chile, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Chile?

There are two ways to ship freight from the US to Chile: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Chile

Ocean freight is a common choice for shipping goods from the US to Chile because of its affordability and flexibility. It’s suitable for shippers on a budget and those with unique shipping needs.

Ocean freight can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport and even offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is used by those with small shipping needs. It involves the consolidation process, where cargo belonging to different shippers are consolidated and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only pays for their cargo's space, making it highly budget-friendly.

FCL is for those with larger shipping needs. A shipper will rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, guaranteeing more space, control, and security for their shipment. This is ideal for large volumes of goods, big items, and high-value commodities that cannot be shipped together with other cargo.

Air Freight from the United States to Chile

The other way to transport goods from the US to Chile is by air. Air freight, the fastest mode of international transport, is best for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It only takes a couple of days to complete.

It’s also the most secure shipping option, with strict airport processes and regulations helping guarantee the security of high-value commodities.

It’s worth noting, however, that all its perks come with a fair share of cons. Air freight is the most expensive way to ship goods from the US to Chile. It’s also not as flexible as ocean freight, unable to accommodate all cargo types and putting limits on the weight, size, and volume of your shipment.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Chile?

The cost to ship cargo from the US to Chile will depend on a variety of factors. These include:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our online freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to Chile:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Chile?

The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to Chile depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Chile?

In general, shipping cargo by sea from the US to Chile takes 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Chile?

Air freight from the US to Chile will take about 2 to 8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Chile

When your goods arrive at a port or airport in Chile, they will go through the customs clearance process. For this, you need the following documents:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

Check out our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

The choice between ocean and air freight is yours to make, considering your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. If you’re unsure how to pick, here are some pointers to help you.

Ocean Freight

If you value cost efficiency and flexibility in your shipping endeavor, go with ocean freight. It’s a budget-friendly way to transport cargo to Chile and can accommodate any type of cargo.

If you do go with ocean freight, make sure you also decide whether to ship via LCL or FCL.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is a good option for cargo that is:

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Not requiring special handling or movement

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL is a much better choice for cargo that is:

• Large in size and quantity
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Requiring special handling or movement

Air Freight

If speed is your priority in your shipping endeavor, air freight is your best bet. It only takes 2 to 8 days to complete, so it’s ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport regulations helping guarantee cargo security. This makes it preferred by those shipping high-value goods.

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can cost significantly more than ocean freight. It’s also not as flexible and cannot accommodate all cargo types, weights, sizes, and volumes.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is one of the three main gateways to the US West Coast. It handles 99% of containerized goods moving in and out of North California. It sees 1.5 million TEUs per year and boasts 3 container terminals and two intermodal rail facilities.

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston boasts five public terminals that handle containers, motor vehicles, and cruise ships. Together with the Port of Georgetown, they comprise the South Carolina ports, which handle over 1.996 million TEUs annually.

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is one of the busiest ports on the US East Coast. It handles 11.6% of its total throughput. The port boasts a strategic position that allows ships to reach the open sea in just 2.5 hours. It’s also well connected to railway transport means.

Cargo ports of arrival in Chile

Port of San Antonio

The Port of San Antonio is Chile's main freight port and its largest multipurpose port. It’s located in the Valparaiso region, approximately 60 kilometers south of Valparaiso and 90 kilometers west of Santiago.

Port of Valparaiso

The Port of Valparaiso is a maritime terminal located in the region of Valparaiso in Chile. Among all the ports in the country, it ranks second in terms of highest container movement. It transfers more than 10 million tonnes of general cargo.

Port of Punta Arenas

The Port of Punta Arenas is 1 to 2 kilometers from the downtown area. It sits on the Strait of Magellan near the southern tip of Chile and is known as the gateway to southern Patagonia.

Air Freight from the United States to Chile: An airport guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Fort Worth Alliance Airport

The Fort Worth Alliance Airport is the 23rd busiest cargo airport in the United States, seeing a 63% growth in its landed weight in recent years. It is the world’s first industrial airport, part of the 27,000-acre Alliance, Texas industrial complex.

Tampa International Airport

The Tampa International Airport is the second largest cargo airport in the US state of Florida. Nationally, it ranks 26th. The airport invested over $69 million in its cargo facilities, which helped it see a 231% growth in cargo movement in the last decade.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport is the US gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. It handles over 80% of the region’s imports and 80% of its exports. It’s the number one international freight airport in the US, seeing a 30% growth in landed weight in recent years.

Airports of arrival in Chile

Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport

The Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport and Nuevo Pudahuel Airport, is the largest aviation facility and busiest international airport in Chile. It is located 15 kilometers northwest of central Santiago and is a hub for LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline, JetSmart, LAN Airlines, and more.

Diego Aracena International Airport

The Diego Aracena International Airport serves Iquique, the capital of the Tarapacá Region in Chile. It’s located 48 kilometers south of the city, on the Pacific coast. The airport is a hub for Chilean Airways.

Why Ship From the United States to Chile With iContainers?

The process of shipping cargo involves considering several factors, such as the season, shipment size, the chosen shipping method, and the origin and destination points.

Backed by years of experience, iContainers offers traditional freight forwarding services enhanced with modern technology for your convenience. Our digital platform allows you to manage your entire shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—directly from your mobile device.

Contact us anytime for a free quote. We are always here to provide you with the necessary information.