Shipping from USA to Chile
Ocean and air freight from US ports to Chilean destinations. Machinery, electronics, medical devices, chemicals, and consumer goods with US-Chile FTA duty-free benefits.
Why Suaid Global โ USA to Chile
US-Chile FTA โ Duty-Free Trade
The US-Chile Free Trade Agreement (effective 2004) eliminates tariffs on virtually all goods traded between the two countries. Over 99% of US exports enter Chile duty-free. Our customs team ensures proper FTA certificate of origin documentation on every shipment.
Miami โ Santiago Air Bridge
Miami International Airport is the primary air cargo gateway to Chile. LATAM Cargo, American Airlines, and Avianca offer daily freighter and belly cargo service to Santiago with 8-10 hour flight times. We book priority lift for time-sensitive shipments with 2-4 day door-to-door delivery.
Chile โ Latin America's Most Stable Economy
Chile has the highest credit rating in Latin America, modern port infrastructure, and transparent customs processes. Valparaiso and San Antonio are efficient, well-connected ports with strong intermodal links to Santiago and the Chilean interior.
Shipping Modes & Transit Times
Ocean FCL
14โ20 days
Ideal For: Machinery, vehicles, bulk chemicals, and heavy equipment
Ocean LCL
20โ28 days
Ideal For: Smaller commercial shipments, mixed consumer goods, and samples
Air Freight
2โ4 days
Ideal For: Medical devices, electronics, urgent parts, perishables, and high-value goods
Main Ports on This Route
๐บ๐ธ Origin Ports
- Port of Miami
- Port of Houston
- Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach
- Port of New York/New Jersey
๐จ๐ฑ Destination Ports
- Port of Valparaiso
- Port of San Antonio
- Port of San Vicente
Common Cargo on This Lane
Customs & Documentation Requirements
Shipments from USA to Chile benefit from the US-Chile FTA. Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or AWB, FTA certificate of origin (for duty-free treatment), phytosanitary certificate (for food/agricultural products). Chile uses the Harmonized System for tariff classification. Electronics require SUBTEL certification. Medical devices require ISP (Instituto de Salud Publica) registration. Food products require SAG (Servicio Agricola y Ganadero) approval. Dangerous goods require SERNAGEOMIN declaration.
Current Tariff Information
Under the US-Chile FTA, over 99% of US goods enter Chile duty-free. The agreement eliminated tariffs on all industrial products. Agricultural products are fully liberalized with no remaining tariff-rate quotas. Key rates: machinery 0%, electronics 0%, medical devices 0%, vehicles 0%, chemicals 0%, consumer goods 0%. Chile's standard MFN rate (for non-FTA countries) is a flat 6% across all products. VAT (IVA) of 19% applies to all imports regardless of origin.
Tariff rates are subject to change. The information above is for general guidance only. Contact our customs team for a precise duty calculation for your specific HTS code and shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does shipping from USA to Chile take?
Ocean freight from the USA to Chile takes 14-22 days. Miami to Valparaiso/San Antonio takes 14-18 days via direct or one-stop service through Panama Canal. From Houston: 16-20 days. From Los Angeles: 12-16 days (West Coast is closer via Pacific route). Air freight from Miami to Santiago takes 2-4 days with daily flight options.
Are US goods duty-free in Chile?
Yes. Under the US-Chile FTA (effective since 2004), virtually all US goods enter Chile duty-free. Over 99% of tariff lines are at 0%. You must provide an FTA certificate of origin to claim the preferential treatment. Chile's 19% VAT (IVA) still applies on top of the duty-free import value.
What is the air freight cost from USA to Chile?
Air freight rates from USA to Chile range from $2.50-$5.00 per kg in 2026. Miami to Santiago is the most competitive route at $2.50-$4.00/kg. Express services run $5-$8/kg. Medical devices and temperature-controlled shipments are $4-$7/kg. Rates are generally lower than to other South American destinations due to strong bilateral trade volume.
What documents are needed for exporting to Chile?
Standard documents: commercial invoice (in English and Spanish), packing list, bill of lading or AWB, FTA certificate of origin. Additional requirements by product: electronics need SUBTEL certification, medical devices need ISP registration, food/agriculture needs SAG phytosanitary certificate, chemicals need SDS (Safety Data Sheet) and SERNAGEOMIN declaration for certain hazardous materials.
Which US ports are best for shipping to Chile?
Miami is the primary gateway for air and ocean freight to Chile. For ocean FCL, Los Angeles/Long Beach offers the fastest transit via Pacific route (12-16 days). Houston is competitive for Gulf Coast shippers. New York/New Jersey serves the US East Coast with transit via Panama Canal (18-22 days). For air freight, Miami is the clear winner with the most daily connections.
Can you handle medical device shipments to Chile?
Yes. We handle medical device exports to Chile including ISP registration support, proper temperature control for sensitive devices, sterile packaging compliance, and customs documentation. Chile's ISP process is well-structured and our Santiago customs partners expedite clearance for pre-registered medical products.