Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Chile
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, Miami / Port Everglades, and other ports to San Antonio, Iquique, and other ports in 12–25 days port to port, with weekly sailings and rates from $1,700.
U.S.-origin vehicles enter Chile duty-free under the free trade agreement — and the Iquique Free Zone is South America's biggest hub for used-vehicle trade. We serve both lanes weekly.
Chile at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,700+
- Ocean transit
- 14–22 days (via Panama)
- Arrival ports
- San Antonio · Iquique (ZOFRI) · Arica
- Import duty + VAT
- 0% duty (US FTA) + 19% IVA
- Used vehicles
- Free zones only (ZOFRI)
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Chile: What You Need to Know
Chile has a rule that surprises many importers: used vehicles generally cannot be imported into mainland Chile. The exceptions are the free zones — Iquique (ZOFRI) in the north and Punta Arenas in the south — where used U.S. vehicles trade in volume and can be registered for use in those regions or re-exported across South America. New and specialized vehicles, plus machinery, enter the mainland normally.
The U.S.–Chile free trade agreement zeroes out the 6% duty for American-origin vehicles and equipment, leaving 19% IVA as the main tax. Mining and construction machinery is a major lane for us into both San Antonio and the northern ports of Arica and Iquique serving the Atacama operations.
Key takeaway
Used vehicles → ship to Iquique (ZOFRI) or Punta Arenas free zones. New vehicles & machinery → mainland ports at 0% duty under the U.S. FTA + 19% IVA. We confirm eligibility per unit before booking.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Chile
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | San Antonio | 14–20 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | San Antonio | 17–24 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Iquique (ZOFRI) | 16–22 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | San Antonio | 18–25 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Iquique (ZOFRI) | 12–18 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Arica | 16–22 days | Weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Chile 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 Chile, 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 Chile 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 Chile
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) | $1,700 – $2,500 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,000 – $4,200 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,000 – $5,800 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,900 – $3,000 | 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.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentChile Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S.-origin vehicles (new) | 0% | 19% | FTA certificate of origin |
| Used vehicles (free zones) | 0% | ZOFRI regime | Iquique & Punta Arenas only |
| Non-U.S. origin vehicles | 6% | 19% | Standard tariff applies |
| Mining & construction machinery | 0% | 19% | U.S.-origin under FTA |
| Boats & yachts | 0–6% | 19% | Origin dependent |
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
Returning Chilean resident?
Chileans returning after 18+ months abroad may import one used personal vehicle to the mainland with partial tax exemption — one of the few legal paths for a used car into mainland Chile. We verify eligibility and prepare the file.
What We Ship to Chile
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 Chile'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 Chile.
- 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 Chile.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Chile
| 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. → Chile Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → San Antonio
14–20 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → San Antonio
17–24 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Iquique (ZOFRI)
16–22 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → San Antonio
18–25 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Chile 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
14–22 days (via Panama)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at San Antonio · Iquique (ZOFRI) · Arica.
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 Chile. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Generally not into mainland Chile — used-vehicle imports to the mainland are restricted. The exceptions are the free zones: Iquique (ZOFRI) in the north and Punta Arenas in the south, where used U.S. vehicles trade in volume and can be registered for those regions or re-exported across South America. New and specialized vehicles plus machinery enter the mainland normally. We confirm eligibility per unit before booking.
Yes. Under the U.S.–Chile free trade agreement, American-origin vehicles and equipment import at 0% duty with a valid certificate of origin, instead of the standard 6% tariff, leaving 19% IVA as the main tax. Non-U.S.-origin vehicles still pay the 6% duty. We verify origin eligibility and prepare the FTA certificate so the zero rate is applied at clearance.
ZOFRI in Iquique is South America's biggest hub for used-vehicle trade and the main legal route for used U.S. cars into the region. Vehicles there can be registered for use in the free-zone regions or re-exported onward across the continent, all under the special customs regime. If you're buying used U.S. cars for South America, this is usually the right gateway, and we run the lane weekly.
Yes — it's a major lane for us. U.S.-origin mining and construction machinery enters at 0% duty under the FTA plus 19% IVA, and we route it into San Antonio as well as the northern ports of Arica and Iquique serving the Atacama mining operations. We handle flat rack, breakbulk, and RoRo loading for oversized and heavy units, with origin documentation prepared so the FTA rate applies.
Possibly. Chileans returning after 18+ months abroad may import one used personal vehicle to the mainland with a partial tax exemption — one of the very few legal paths for a used car onto mainland Chile. Eligibility depends on time abroad, ownership, and residency documentation. We verify whether you qualify and prepare the file so the vehicle clears under the returning-resident rule.
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