Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Bolivia
Landlocked but well-served: ocean freight to Arica or Iquique in Chile, then bonded truck over the Andes to La Paz and Santa Cruz. Strict age limits on used cars — and a thriving machinery lane for mining and agriculture.
Bolivia at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $2,200+
- Ocean transit
- 28–40 days door-to-destination
- Arrival ports
- via Arica · Iquique (Chile)
- Import duty + VAT
- ICE + GA + 14.94% IVA
- Used vehicle age limit
- Recent model years only
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Bolivia: What You Need to Know
Bolivia has no coastline, so every U.S. shipment travels a two-stage corridor: ocean freight to Arica or Iquique on Chile's northern coast, then bonded truck through the Andes to La Paz or across to Santa Cruz, Bolivia's commercial capital. The cargo stays in customs transit through Chile — no Chilean taxes apply — and clears Bolivian customs at inland terminals. The corridor is mature, insured end to end, and we track every unit from U.S. pickup to final delivery.
Know the vehicle rules before buying: Bolivia restricts used-car imports to recent model years only (the permitted age window is confirmed per registration year), and right-hand-drive vehicles and steering conversions are banned outright. The deeper opportunity is machinery — Bolivia's mining sector and the agricultural boom around Santa Cruz pull excavators, tractors, drilling equipment, and trucks through this corridor every month, with duties far gentler than on cars.
Key takeaway
Plan 28–40 days door-to-destination via the Arica/Iquique bonded corridor — no Chilean taxes in transit. Used cars must be recent model years (we confirm the current window per VIN); RHD and converted vehicles are banned. Mining and agro machinery is the best-value cargo.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Bolivia
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Arica → La Paz | 28–38 days | Bi-weekly |
| Houston, TX | Iquique → Santa Cruz | 30–40 days | Bi-weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Arica → La Paz | 30–40 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Arica → La Paz | 30–40 days | Bi-weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Arica → La Paz | 26–36 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Bolivia from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Bolivia, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Bolivia fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Bolivia
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $2,200 – $3,100 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,600 – $5,000 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,800 – $6,800 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Bolivia →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentBolivia Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used cars (within age window) | GA 10–40% | 14.94% + ICE | Recent model years only |
| Older used vehicles | Banned | — | Outside permitted age window |
| RHD & converted vehicles | Banned | — | No exceptions |
| Mining & agricultural machinery | 0–10% | 14.94% | Strongest lane on this corridor |
| Trucks & commercial vehicles | 5–20% | 14.94% + ICE | Age limits apply to used units |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Why the Chilean corridor works
Your cargo crosses Chile in bonded transit, so no Chilean duties or IVA apply — taxes are paid once, at Bolivian customs. We manage the port transfer in Arica or Iquique, the Andean trucking leg, and clearance in La Paz or Santa Cruz under one booking and one insurance policy.
What We Ship to Bolivia
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Bolivia's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Bolivia.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Bolivia.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Bolivia
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Bolivia Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Arica → La Paz
28–38 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Houston, TX → Iquique → Santa Cruz
30–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Arica → La Paz
30–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Arica → La Paz
30–40 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Bolivia Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
28–40 days door-to-destinationRegular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at via Arica · Iquique (Chile).
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Bolivia. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Bolivia has no seaport, so every shipment runs a two-stage corridor: ocean freight to Arica or Iquique on Chile's northern coast, then bonded truck over the Andes to La Paz or Santa Cruz. The cargo stays in customs transit through Chile — no Chilean taxes apply — and clears Bolivian customs at an inland terminal. We manage the port transfer, the Andean trucking leg, and clearance under one booking.
Plan on roughly 28–40 days door-to-destination. Ocean transit to Arica or Iquique usually runs 12–22 days depending on the U.S. origin, followed by port discharge and bonded handover, then 4–8 days for the Andean trucking leg and clearance in La Paz or Santa Cruz. We provide a route-specific timeline at quoting and flag any border or weather delays as they happen.
Yes, but only within Bolivia's permitted age window — used cars must be recent model years, and the exact cutoff is set against the registration year. Right-hand-drive vehicles and steering-conversion units are banned outright, with no exceptions. Because the window moves, we verify eligibility per VIN before you bid at auction so you never buy a unit that cannot clear customs.
Bolivia's mining sector and the agricultural boom around Santa Cruz pull excavators, tractors, drilling rigs, and trucks through this corridor every month — and machinery duties (0–10%) are far gentler than the GA tariffs and ICE charges on cars. We move these units on flat rack, in containers, or as breakbulk, plan Andean routing and lowboy equipment in advance, and clear them at the inland terminal closest to your project site.
No. Your cargo crosses Chile in bonded customs transit, so no Chilean duties or IVA apply — taxes are paid once, at Bolivian customs. Bolivia assesses GA duty plus 14.94% IVA and, on many vehicles, the ICE consumption tax. We estimate the full landed total before you commit so there are no surprises after arrival.
Yes. After clearance we deliver to La Paz, El Alto, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and mining or agricultural sites on request, using vetted regional carriers that know Andean road conditions and weight limits. The whole journey — U.S. pickup, ocean leg, bonded trucking, and final delivery — runs under one all-risk marine insurance policy, which matters on a multi-border route like this one.
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