Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Apr, 04 2026
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Chile?
Shipping a container load of items through international waters or air space is a headache itself, and an additional challenge is choosing an exemplary moving service to do it.
Three Movers offers international shipping, covering all the South American countries, including Chile. They estimate the cost involving the hauling of a container after taking note of various factors. For your consideration, we have briefly discussed them below in the article.
Factors That Affect the Cost
The haulers calculate the cost of shifitng your container to a different country like Chile by citing factors like weight or volume of the shipment, the destination port in Chile, the choice of transportation, the total distance covered by the ship or airplane, and the time of year.
The final factor is the most significant one as the cost of shipment rises significantly if it is being completed during the peak season (August and September). Also, try to avoid the time after the Chinese New Year (January and February) as it is also considered as the peak season in the freight industry.
Which size of container works best for me?
Assuming that your relocator needs are not industrial, the two best hauling containers for you are 20 ft and 40ft. The 40ft containers are more spacious and can hold almost double the volume of goods than 20ft containers without double the cost. It is also a perfect choice if you are shifitng a car to Chile.
On a different note, if the cargo volume is far less and only consists of a handful of boxes, you can go with the Less Than Container Load (LCL) to ship them in a shared container. However, if it is over 15 cbm, you will have to choose Full Container Load and rent the whole container.
Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container shipping to Chile of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $1075 |
| 40 ft Container | $1296 |
LCL is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Chile.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $65/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $430 |
| Household Goods | $530 |
International house moving to Chile services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $480 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $2303 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2807 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3205 |
International auto transport services to Chile via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1752 |
| SUV (Container) | $1868 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1225 |
| SUV via RORO | $1296 |
Understanding the Different Types of Freight Transportation
The city of San Antonio is home to South America 13th busiest seaport and a major international airport. Your container can be delivered to the port of San Antonio through air or ocean freight. Yet if the product is not time-sensitive shipping it by water is a more cost-effective option than flying it.
Additional Hauling Costs
The additional hauling costs that you have to incur while shipping your container to Chile are as follow:
- Custom duties and taxes
- Container inspection fees
- General Rate Increase
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance for the container and goods inside
A new GRI (General Rate Increase) cycle occurs almost once a month when the demand is at a peak prompting a rise in shipping rates. As the demand falls, the shipping companies lower the prices, and demand rises back again. It is a cycle that keeps the rates very volatile. We suggest you plan your shifting in such a schedule so that your Cargo Ready Date falls before or after a new GRI.
What’s Next?
By now, you know the insights of relocating a container to Chile ports. To sum up your hunt for a good shipping service, go to the Three Movers website and get a free quote after filling the form. You can also get in touch with our experts by calling at (888) 202-0036.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
A typical 20-foot container from major US ports to Chile ranges $3,200–$5,800, while 40-foot units often cost $4,900–$8,500. Rates shift with load size, FCL vs LCL selection, carrier schedules, port congestion, fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand. Heavier freight, hazardous materials, and remote delivery locations may raise final charges. Benchmark ranges are available in our international shipping cost guide.
FCL is generally cheaper for larger loads because you pay a fixed container rate, while LCL benefits small shipments but includes consolidation and deconsolidation fees. Transit differences matter too: FCL typically arrives faster as cargo stays sealed, while LCL must be grouped and unpacked at shared depots. Volume, weight, and shipping windows determine overall cost efficiency. See our international moving and storage resource for planning details.
Common transit windows are 18–30 days from West Coast ports and 28–40 days from East Coast origins. Weather, carrier rotation, port congestion, and customs processing can extend timelines. FCL tends to unload faster because no group handling is required, whereas LCL involves additional sorting. Allow 2–5 extra days at destination for port handling, documentation review, and inland drayage if you are moving the container onward after arrival.
You typically need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and any product-specific import permits. Chilean Customs reviews declared value, country of origin, and HS codes before release. Consistent descriptions across all documents reduce the risk of secondary inspections. Many shippers also include a notarized authorization letter if someone else will receive the cargo. Complex cargo may benefit from using a carrier familiar with international requirements such as those covered in our global moving services overview.
Qualifying US-origin products under the U.S.–Chile FTA typically enter with 0 percent duty, but all imports owe the 19 percent VAT. Goods not meeting origin rules usually incur a 6 percent tariff, and select luxury products may face an added internal tax. Customs may request supplemental valuation evidence for high-value freight. See our international overseas moving tips for strategies to minimize delays and documentation errors.
Most shippers use 20-foot or 40-foot dry cargo containers. Choice depends on cubic footage, total weight, packaging method (pallets vs loose load), and how efficiently items stack. Oversized or irregular freight may require open-top or flat-rack containers, which cost more due to handling limits. Port rules, inland access constraints, and delivery location also guide final container selection.
Yes. Carriers typically provide a tracking number tied to the bill of lading, showing gate-in, departure, transshipment moves, and port arrival. Tracking accuracy varies by carrier data feeds and port reporting frequency. Monitoring status helps identify delays caused by weather, vessel rerouting, or terminal congestion. For customers coordinating local delivery, you can use our moving estimate tool to align timing for inland services.
A 20-foot container needs roughly 30 feet of level, straight clearance, while a 40-foot container requires 60–80 feet for safe truck maneuvering. Narrow streets, low trees, and HOA restrictions may limit direct placement. In such areas, shippers often arrange off-site loading or crane positioning. For scheduling help, review our moving checklist to plan staging and access points ahead of arrival.
