Sea Freight from China to Chile

Chile is China's third-largest trading partner in Latin America and operates under one of the most liberalized trade frameworks: the China–Chile Free Trade Agreement. For Chinese exporters, this means preferential tariff treatment on most goods, making Chile an attractive destination market. Sea freight takes 30–35 days to Valparaiso and San Antonio, the country's two main container ports. Great Hensen handles a full range of cargo types on this lane, with particular expertise in mining equipment and heavy-lift project cargo for Chile's world-leading copper mining industry.

Chilean Port options and transit times

• Valparaiso: 30–35 days from Shanghai or Qingdao. Chile's historic primary port, located 110 km northwest of Santiago. Full container, breakbulk, and project cargo handling capability. Direct or transshipment services via Callao (Peru).
• San Antonio: 30–35 days. Chile's busiest container port, handling over 50% of the country's containerized cargo. Located 115 km west of Santiago. Deeper water than Valparaiso, able to handle larger vessels. Primary entry for consumer goods and industrial equipment.
• Mejillones: 33–38 days. Northern Chilean port serving the Antofagasta mining region. Strategic for mining equipment imports destined for northern copper and lithium mines.

China–Chile free trade agreement

The China–Chile FTA, in effect since 2006 and upgraded in 2019, is one of the most comprehensive trade agreements in China's portfolio:

• Tariff elimination: Over 97% of product categories now enjoy zero tariff between China and Chile.
• Certificate of Origin: Form F is the required certificate to claim FTA preferential rates. Must be issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) or the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).
• Duty savings: The FTA can reduce import duty from Chile's MFN rate (typically 6%) to zero for covered products, directly impacting landed cost.

Great Hensen coordinates Form F issuance with the shipper and verifies HS code eligibility under the FTA before each shipment. See our CCIC case study for an example of compliance documentation for Latin American markets.

Mining Equipment Logistics

Chile produces nearly 30% of the world's copper and is the largest copper mining nation. Mining equipment is the single largest category of Chinese heavy-lift exports to Chile. Our mining equipment logistics capability includes:

• Crushers and grinding mills: Oversized components shipped via flat rack containers or breakbulk. Requires lashing plans and securing schemes approved by classification societies.
• Conveyor systems: Long-dimension cargo requiring open top containers or breakbulk stowage.
• Processing plant equipment: Tanks, pressure vessels, heat exchangers. High-value, sensitive to handling. See our heavy equipment flat rack case study.
• Mine truck and loader components: Tires, buckets, chassis components. OOG shipments requiring specialized lifting plans.
• Inland logistics: Mine sites are often in remote Andean locations. We coordinate the full landside logistics from port to mine site, including road surveys for oversized cargo.

Chilean customs: clean and efficient

Chile has one of the most efficient customs systems in Latin America, ranking consistently near the top in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index for the region. Key features:

• Aduana de Chile: Electronic customs declaration (DIN — Declaracion de Ingreso) filed through the SICEP system.
• IVA (Value Added Tax): 19% on CIF value plus duty.
• Import duty: 6% MFN rate, but reduced or eliminated for FTA-eligible goods with valid Form F.
• Minimum documentation: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (for FTA), and any product-specific certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions