Four ways to do it
Most importers default to ocean FCL and most are right to. The cases worth rethinking are the ones where a stockout or a missed season costs more than the freight difference.
| Option | Transit | Relative cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean FCL | 30–40 days | Lowest per CBM | Over 15 CBM, planned ahead |
| Ocean LCL | 35–50 days | Low, small volumes | Under 15 CBM |
| Sea–air | 18–25 days | Mid | A deadline with a budget |
| Air freight | 5–10 days | Highest per kilo | Urgent, high-value, samples |
The ports we use
On the Chinese side: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Xiamen for ocean, and Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong for air. Which one you ship from usually follows where the factory is, and the difference in inland trucking inside China can outweigh a better ocean rate.
On the Chilean side: San Antonio and Valparaíso for most cargo, Iquique when the destination is the north or the free zone.
What drives the total cost
- The Incoterm you agreed with the supplier — FOB gives you visibility, DDP does not
- Volume: the step from LCL to a 20' container changes the cost per CBM sharply
- Season: Chinese New Year and the pre-Christmas peak both lift rates
- Whether you have a valid certificate of origin, which is usually the difference between 0% and 6% duty
- How quickly you collect at destination, before demurrage starts
Consolidating several suppliers
If you buy from three factories in different Chinese cities, shipping three LCL consignments costs considerably more than consolidating them into one. We receive cargo at our warehouse at origin, consolidate it and ship under one Bill of Lading.
It also means one customs entry in Chile instead of three, which saves more than the freight does.
What to agree before you order
- The Incoterm, in writing, in the purchase order
- That the supplier will provide a certificate of origin
- Packed weights and dimensions, not product dimensions
- The ready date, and how it relates to the vessel cut-off
- Who the forwarder at origin is — yours, not theirs
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to ship from China to Chile?
Air freight, at 5 to 10 days door to door. Sea–air sits in between at 18 to 25 days and costs considerably less, which makes it the option worth knowing about when there is a deadline and a budget.
Can you consolidate cargo from several Chinese suppliers?
Yes. We receive at our warehouse at origin, consolidate and ship under one Bill of Lading. It also means one customs entry in Chile instead of several, which usually saves more than the freight.
Which Chinese port should I ship from?
Usually the one nearest the factory: inland trucking inside China can easily outweigh a better ocean rate from a further port. We work Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Xiamen.
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