China–Chile maritime freight cost ranges
Prices fluctuate constantly. Reference ranges (indicative) for 2026:
| Service | Capacity | USD range |
|---|---|---|
| FCL 20' STD | ~28 m³ / 21.7 t | USD 1,500 – 2,800 |
| FCL 40' STD | ~58 m³ / 26.5 t | USD 2,200 – 3,800 |
| FCL 40' HC | ~67 m³ / 26.5 t | USD 2,300 – 4,000 |
| FCL 40' Reefer | ~58 m³ / 26 t | USD 4,500 – 7,500 |
| LCL (consolidated) | Per m³ or ton | USD 80 – 150 / m³ |
Important: prices fluctuate weekly due to vessel capacity, geopolitical conflicts, fuel and peak seasons. For exact rates, request a quote online.
Common surcharges in China–Chile maritime freight
Base price isn't the only thing you pay. Typical surcharges:
BAF / CAF
Bunker / Currency Adjustment Factor
Fuel and currency exchange surcharge. Adjusted every 1-3 months.
GRI
General Rate Increase
General increase applied by carriers, typically every 15 days in high season.
PSS
Peak Season Surcharge
High-season surcharge (Aug-Oct, peak China export season).
THC
Terminal Handling Charge
Port handling: Origin THC (China) and destination THC (Chile).
ISPS
International Ship & Port Security
International port security surcharge.
DOC
Documentation Fee
Bill of Lading issuance fee.
LSS
Low Sulphur Surcharge
Surcharge for low-sulphur fuel (IMO 2020 regulation).
CSC
Container Service Charge
Container service at destination (return charges, demurrage if applicable).
Transit times by route
| China origin | Chile destination | Transit | Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghái / Shanghai | San Antonio | 28-32 días | Direct Pacific |
| Shenzhen / Yantian | San Antonio | 30-34 días | Direct Pacific |
| Ningbo | San Antonio | 28-32 días | Direct Pacific |
| Qingdao | Valparaíso | 30-35 días | Direct Pacific |
| Hong Kong | San Antonio / Valparaíso | 30-34 días | Via Busan or direct |
| Xiamen | San Antonio | 30-34 días | Direct Pacific |
| Tianjin (Xingang) | San Antonio | 34-40 días | Via Pusan or Singapore |
Door-to-door: add 5-10 days pre-shipment + 7-15 days Chile customs + final delivery.
FCL vs LCL: which suits you?
FCL (Full Container Load)
A full container dedicated to your cargo.
Choose if:
- • Your cargo exceeds ~13-15 m³
- • You want faster transit
- • Fragile or high-value cargo
- • Fixed price per container (not by volume)
LCL (Less than Container Load)
Your cargo shares a container with others.
Choose if:
- • Your cargo is below ~13 m³
- • You only pay for actual volume
- • You accept slightly longer transit
- • Standard, well-packaged cargo
How to reduce China–Chile freight cost
- 1.
Consolidate orders
If you buy from multiple Chinese suppliers, consolidate in one FCL container instead of multiple LCL shipments.
- 2.
Leverage Chile-China FTA
With certificate of origin, many products enter Chile with 0% tariff. Save on import duties.
- 3.
Quote with a digital forwarder
We compare multiple carriers automatically and get the best rates.
- 4.
Avoid peak season
August-October is China export peak. If possible, ship in low season (Feb-Jul).
- 5.
Negotiate the right Incoterm
FOB is usually better than CIF: you control freight and avoid hidden surcharges.
- 6.
Optimize packaging
Better packing means better stowage. Going from 12 to 10 m³ with better stowing can save you hundreds.
