Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the USA to Chile in its own 20 ft container with AB Group Shipping costs from $2,220 (September 2026 quote), leaving from New Jersey (Philadelphia) in 14 days or Miami (Port Everglades) in 24 days to San Antonio. RoRo from Miami runs approx. $1,350. Import taxes and destination charges are extra.
- Ocean freight only: an exclusive 20' container runs $2,220 from Miami and $2,537 from Houston to San Antonio (September 2026 rates); RoRo runs approx. $1,350 from Miami and approx. $1,500 from Houston.
- Chilean customs charges 6% ad valorem plus 19% IVA on CIF value — the US-Chile FTA can drop the duty to 0% with a valid certificate of origin.
- Chile bans most used-vehicle imports; legal routes are menaje de casa (returning residents), diplomatic status, Zona Franca (ZOFRI Iquique), or temporary tourist admission.
- The calculator on this page prices RoRo, shared container and FCL for your exact route in seconds — taxes and destination charges included.
Chile is the strictest used-vehicle import market in South America, and eligibility matters more than price. Check your import route first, then price the freight — booking a vessel before confirming eligibility is how cars end up stuck at San Antonio.
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Go to the calculator →Reference prices: shipping a vehicle from the USA to Chile
| Departure port | Price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| MiamiPort Everglades | $2,220 | 24 days |
| Houston | $2,537 | 32 days |
| New JerseyPhiladelphia | $2,220 | 14 days |
| Los Angeles | $2,720 | 29 days |
Port to port to San Antonio, in USD, quoted with our system on September 28, 2026. Includes freight and US export charges; excludes import taxes and destination charges. Each vehicle travels alone in a 20 ft container; two can share a 40 ft one. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery. What our customers are quoted for a sedan, often with pickup and delivery: typically $3,098, half of them between $2,537 and $3,627 depending on the origin city.
Shipping from another state? Which port to read
Each port in the table is the one that cargo from these states usually leaves through. Miami: Florida. Houston: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. New Jersey: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and West Virginia. Los Angeles: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii. Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama ship through Savannah; Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota ship through Chicago (rail); Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska ship through Seattle / Tacoma: those ports are not in the table yet. We pick up in every state, and the calculator finds the best port from your city.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Chile from the United States?
Quick Answer: Shipping a car to Chile in an exclusive 20' container costs from $2,220 (Miami or New Jersey) to $2,930 (Savannah), port to port, at September 2026 rates; RoRo runs approx. $1,350-$1,750. Landed cost with 6% duty, 19% IVA, THC, broker and homologation typically lands between $4,200 and $9,500 for a mid-size sedan.
Most quotes you find online cover only one third of the real bill. The total splits into three separate buckets: ocean freight, destination charges in Chile, and Chilean import taxes.
Competitors publish the freight number and stop there. That is why importers get blindsided at San Antonio when the broker invoice arrives.
Bucket 1: Ocean freight from US ports
These are current Q1 2026 ranges on Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and Höegh Autoliners services. Rates move with bunker surcharges and vessel space.
MiamiUSMIA
San AntonioCLSAI
HoustonUSHOU
San AntonioCLSAI
Los AngelesUSLAX
ValparaísoCLVAP
Container rates sit higher. An exclusive 20' container Miami→San Antonio runs $2,220 (September 2026 rates). A 40' HC shared by two sedans runs approx. $3,100 from Miami (approx. $1,550 per car), or fits one SUV plus household goods.
Bucket 2 and 3: Destination charges and taxes
Destination terminal handling at San Antonio runs $320-$520 per unit. A licensed agente de aduanas charges $450-$900. Homologation adds $400-$1,200.
Then come the taxes. Chile applies 6% ad valorem duty and 19% IVA on the CIF value.
Worked example: 2021 Toyota RAV4
Declared value $24,000, shipped Miami→San Antonio by RoRo. Here is the actual math.
| Line item | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight (RoRo) | approx. $1,350 | Includes BAF and ISPS |
| Marine insurance | $360 | 1.5% of declared value |
| Destination THC San Antonio | $420 | Per RoRo unit |
| Customs broker (agente de aduanas) | $550 | DIN filing included |
| Ad valorem 6% on CIF $25,710 | $1,543 | $0 with valid US-Chile FTA origin proof |
| IVA 19% on CIF + duty | $5,178 | Base $27,253 |
| Homologation + patente | $850 | 3CV certificate plus Registro Civil |
| Total landed cost | $10,251 | Excludes vehicle purchase price |
On a $24,000 vehicle, Chilean duty and IVA alone total about $6,721. That is roughly 25% of the vehicle value — before freight. The FTA origin certificate removes $1,543 of it instantly.
For a broader picture of how Chile compares with other destinations, see our International Car Shipping Calculator: 2026 Rates benchmark guide. Chile sits at the expensive end because of homologation and import restrictions.
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Go to the calculator →What is a car shipping calculator and how does it estimate Chile costs?
Quick Answer: A car shipping calculator is a pricing tool that converts your route, vehicle size and shipping method into a live freight quote. The calculator on this page reads origin port, Chilean destination port, vehicle dimensions or CBM, RoRo versus container, and declared value to return an instant rate.
A good car shipping calculator Chile tool does not guess. It pulls the same variables a rate desk uses when building a quote manually.
Which inputs actually move the price?
- Origin port — Houston and Miami price lower than Los Angeles on Chile lanes because of vessel routing through Panama.
- Destination port — San Antonio, Valparaíso, Iquique and Antofagasta each carry different terminal tariffs.
- Vehicle length × width × height — RoRo carriers bill by cubic meter or by lane meter, not by weight.
- Curb weight — matters for heavy pickups and mining-sector 4x4s over 3,000 kg.
- Declared value — drives the marine insurance premium and the customs valuation base.
Why CBM decides shared container pricing
Shared container rates are pure cubic-meter math. A Honda Civic occupies about 10 CBM. A Ford F-150 crew cab occupies roughly 17 CBM.
That 7 CBM gap can swing the per-unit price by approx. $600-$900 on the same sailing. Guides like this international car shipping cost calculator walkthrough explain the same volumetric logic.
What the calculator output includes
The returned figure is not a naked base rate. It bundles the charges that carriers apply on every Chile booking.
- Ocean freight base rate for the selected lane
- BAF and CAF bunker and currency adjustment factors
- Origin terminal handling charges (THC) at the US load port
- ISPS security surcharge
- AES/EEI export filing with US Census
- Marine insurance line at 1.5-2.5% of declared value
Pro Tip
Run the same vehicle three times — RoRo, shared container, exclusive 20' — before you book. On a compact sedan the gap from Miami is about $870 ($2,220 exclusive 20' in September 2026 vs. approx. $1,350 RoRo), and container shipping buys you insurance terms and personal-items capacity. On a large SUV the gap widens to approx. $1,500 and RoRo usually wins.
What the calculator cannot price automatically
Some cargo needs a human. Non-running vehicles cannot board a RoRo vessel and require winch loading into a container.
Oversized mining equipment, armored vehicles and breakbulk machinery route to a custom quote request at the same #quote-calc anchor. Those bookings need vessel stowage confirmation before a rate is valid.
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Compare RoRo, shared container and exclusive FCL side by side — no email required.
Go to the calculator →Is RoRo or container shipping cheaper for sending a car to Chile?
Quick Answer: RoRo is cheaper — usually 25-35% less than an exclusive container on the Miami and Houston to San Antonio lanes. Container shipping costs more but allows personal items inside the vehicle, offers better cargo insurance terms, and protects against port handling damage.
The method you choose changes more than price. It changes what you can pack, how you are insured, and how Chilean Aduana inspects the unit.
| Method | Cost range (Miami→San Antonio) | Transit days | Personal items | Insurance | Damage risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo | approx. $1,350 | 18–24 | None allowed | Limited, higher premium | Moderate |
| Shared container | approx. $1,550 | 23–34 | Limited, declared | Standard marine cargo | Low |
| Exclusive 20' | $2,220 (Sep 2026) | 24 | Full, with packing list | Full all-risk available | Very low |
| Exclusive 40' HC | approx. $3,100 (2 cars) | 18–26 | Full, 2 cars or car + goods | Full all-risk available | Very low |
RoRo rules Chilean Aduana enforces
RoRo means roll-on, roll-off. Your vehicle drives onto the vessel deck under its own power.
- The vehicle must run, steer and brake reliably
- Fuel level must sit at a quarter tank or less
- The interior must be completely empty — no boxes, no spare parts
- Keys stay with the terminal stevedores for the full voyage
Chilean Aduana inspects RoRo units at the ramp on arrival. Items found inside trigger a hold and a reassessment.
Shared container: the middle path
A shared or consolidated container splits a 40' HC between two or three vehicles. Per-unit cost lands at approx. $1,550 from Miami.
The trade-off is time. Deconsolidation at the CFS in Chile adds 5-10 days after discharge.
Choose RoRo when
Your vehicle runs, you are shipping nothing but the car, and cost is the deciding factor. RoRo sailings from Houston and Miami to San Antonio are frequent and the units discharge fast. Mining-sector workers moving a single pickup usually land here.
Choose a container when
You are moving household goods with the vehicle, shipping a classic or high-value car, or the vehicle does not start. A 40' HC carries a sedan plus a full apartment's contents. Expat families relocating to Santiago almost always pick this route.
If you are combining a vehicle with furniture and personal effects, read our Ship Car With Household Goods Calculator: 2026 Rates guide. Loading plans and packing lists matter more than the freight rate on those shipments.
The insurance reality nobody mentions
Marine underwriters price RoRo higher for a simple reason. Terminal stevedores hold your keys and drive your car twice — once on, once off.
Container cargo stays sealed from origin to destination. That is why all-risk coverage is easier to place on containerized vehicles.
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See RoRo versus container pricing for your exact vehicle — instant, no follow-up calls.
Go to the calculator →How long does it take to ship a car from Los Angeles to Chile?
Quick Answer: Los Angeles to Valparaíso takes 22-30 days port to port, with weekly to biweekly sailings. East Coast lanes are faster: Miami to San Antonio runs 18-24 days, Houston 20-26 days. Add 7-14 days for customs clearance, homologation and registration in Chile.
Transit time on Chile lanes depends on transshipment. Most services relay at Panama, Cartagena or Callao before the final leg south.
| Origin port | Destination | RoRo freight range | Transit days | Sailing frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (USMIA) | San Antonio (CLSAI) | approx. $1,350 | 18–24 | Weekly |
| Houston (USHOU) | San Antonio (CLSAI) | approx. $1,500 | 20–26 | Biweekly |
| New York (USNYC) | San Antonio (CLSAI) | approx. $1,350 | 21–28 | Biweekly |
| Savannah (USSAV) | Valparaíso (CLVAP) | approx. $1,750 | 19–26 | Biweekly |
| Los Angeles (USLAX) | Valparaíso (CLVAP) | approx. $1,650 | 22–30 | Weekly–biweekly |
| Miami (USMIA) | Iquique (CLIQQ) | approx. $1,350 | 21–30 | Biweekly |
| Los Angeles (USLAX) | Iquique (CLIQQ) | approx. $1,650 | 24–32 | Biweekly |
Port cut-off is not vessel ETD
This trips up first-time shippers constantly. The vessel departs on one date; your paperwork is due much earlier.
On RoRo services, documentation cut-off falls about 72 hours before the ramp cut-off. Miss the doc cut-off and your car rolls to the next sailing, even if it is physically at the terminal.
CBP 72-hour title rule
Per CBP regulations, the original title must be presented at the US port of export at least 72 hours before lading. This is separate from the carrier's documentation cut-off. Missing it means the vehicle is denied export loading — not delayed, denied.
Iquique via ZOFRI: slower sail, faster clearance
Iquique adds 3-6 days of sailing versus San Antonio. But vehicles entering the ZOFRI free zone often clear faster because duty is deferred, not paid at entry.
San Antonio congestion windows
San Antonio (CLSAI) is Chile's busiest container port. Congestion peaks January through March during the fruit export season.
Build a 5-day buffer into any Q1 arrival. Door-to-door from a Miami inland pickup to Santiago delivery averages 32-45 days total.
What taxes do I pay when importing a car to Chile?
Quick Answer: Chile charges 6% ad valorem duty plus 19% IVA on the CIF value of the vehicle. The US-Chile Free Trade Agreement reduces the ad valorem to 0% for qualifying US-origin vehicles with a valid certificate of origin. Luxury vehicles may face additional levies.
Start with CIF, because everything builds on it. CIF means Cost + Insurance + Freight.
Chilean Aduana uses the commercial invoice value, plus the ocean freight, plus the insurance premium. It does not use US retail book value — though it can challenge a low declaration.
The tax math on a $24,000 vehicle
- Build the CIF value: $24,000 invoice + approx. $1,350 freight (RoRo from Miami) + $360 insurance = $25,710.
- Apply ad valorem at 6%: $25,710 × 0.06 = $1,543. Under the US-Chile FTA this becomes $0.
- Build the IVA base: CIF + duty = $25,710 + $1,543 = $27,253.
- Apply IVA at 19%: $27,253 × 0.19 = $5,178.
- Total tax owed: $6,721 without FTA relief, or $4,885 with it.
The FTA certificate is worth about approx. $1,800 on this single shipment. It costs nothing to obtain if the vehicle qualifies.
Proving US origin under the FTA
A VIN starting with 1, 4 or 5 indicates US manufacture. That supports your claim, but it is not the document Aduana accepts.
You need a signed certificate of origin covering the vehicle. Many importers assume the title proves origin. It does not.
Do not undervalue the vehicle
Chilean Aduana maintains reference price databases and routinely rejects declared values that fall below market. A rejected declaration triggers reassessment, an audit flag, and storage charges while the file sits open. The $400 you "save" on IVA can cost $1,500 in demurrage. Always declare the true transaction value.
Who decides the final number
Only a licensed agente de aduanas can give you a binding duty determination in Chile. AB Group Shipping is a freight forwarder and NVOCC — not a customs broker or tax advisor.
We move the cargo and file the US-side export documentation. Confirm your Chilean tax position with a licensed broker before you book.
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Freight, insurance and destination charges for your Chile route — priced in seconds.
Go to the calculator →Can I import a used car into Chile as a foreigner?
Quick Answer: No, not in the general case. Chile prohibits most used-vehicle imports into the mainland customs territory. Legal exceptions exist for returning residents under menaje de casa, accredited diplomats, disabled-person exemptions, Zona Franca imports through ZOFRI Iquique or Punta Arenas, and temporary tourist admission.
This is the single biggest difference between Chile and every other LatAm market. Chile vehicle import restrictions block the standard used-car route entirely.
| Import route | Who qualifies | Taxes owed | Time limit | Resale restriction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard import (new 0 km) | Anyone with a Chilean RUT | 6% + 19% IVA | None | None |
| Menaje de casa | Returning residents, 12+ months abroad | Often exempt or reduced | Claim within residence window | No resale for 12 months |
| Zona Franca (ZOFRI) | Zone users, Region XV/I/XII residents | Deferred inside zone | None inside zone | Full 6% + 19% if sold outside |
| Admisión Temporal | Tourists with foreign plates | None | 90 days, extendable to 180 | Cannot sell in Chile |
| Diplomatic | Accredited diplomats | Exempt | Duration of posting | Transfer rules apply |
Menaje de casa: the expat route
This is the most common path for returning Chileans and long-term expats. The requirements are strict and documented.
- 12+ months of proven residence abroad, evidenced with apostilled documents
- One vehicle per family unit — not per person
- Ownership of the vehicle for at least 12 months before shipment
- A 12-month no-resale lock after customs clearance
- The vehicle must arrive within the window tied to your residence change
Mining-sector workers finishing contracts abroad and relocating to Region II frequently qualify. Verify your status with an agente de aduanas before you book freight.
Zona Franca: ZOFRI Iquique and Punta Arenas
Chile's free zones operate outside the normal customs territory. Used vehicles can enter ZOFRI Iquique or the Punta Arenas zone with duty deferred rather than paid.
The catch is geography. Move the vehicle out of the zone into mainland Chile and the full 6% plus 19% becomes due immediately.
Admisión Temporal for travelers
Tourists can bring a foreign-plated vehicle in for 90 days. Extensions to 180 days are available at the border.
Temporary admission overstay = seizure
A vehicle under Admisión Temporal must exit Chile before the permit expires. Chilean Aduana treats overstays as illegal permanent import. The vehicle can be seized and the driver fined. There is no grace period and no retroactive conversion to permanent import.
New vehicles import freely
Zero-kilometer vehicles face no restriction. Any holder of a Chilean RUT can import a new car, pay 6% plus 19%, and register it normally.
What documents are needed to import a vehicle into Chile?
Quick Answer: You need the original US title, bill of sale or commercial invoice, the ocean Bill of Lading, a certificate of origin for FTA duty relief, your Chilean RUT, and the Declaración de Ingreso filed by your customs broker. Menaje de casa cases also require apostilled residence documents.
Chilean Aduana is unforgiving on paperwork. A missing apostille stops a file cold while storage accrues daily.
- Original US certificate of title — copies are rejected without exception
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice showing the true transaction value
- Ocean Bill of Lading (B/L) or RoRo sea waybill, consigned correctly
- Certificate of origin for US-Chile FTA duty relief
- Chilean RUT for the importer of record
- Declaración de Ingreso (DIN) — filed by your agente de aduanas
- Apostilled residence certificates for menaje de casa claims
Title problems that kill shipments
Aduana rejects salvage titles, rebuilt titles and any title with an open lien. Clear the lienholder release before the vehicle leaves the United States.
Auction purchases carry specific title-timing risk. Copart and IAAI often release titles 10-21 days after payment, which can blow your sailing.
Our Copart Vehicle Shipping Calculator 2026: Instant Quotes guide covers those title-release timelines in detail. Read it before you bid if Chile is the destination.
The apostille requirement
Chile is a Hague Convention country. Residence certificates, powers of attorney and consular documents all need an apostille from the issuing US state.
Budget 5-15 business days for state-level apostille processing. Start it while the vessel is still at sea.
US-side filings AB Group handles
- AES/EEI export declaration through the Automated Export System
- CBP 72-hour title presentation at the port of export
- Bill of Lading issuance and consignee verification
- Booking confirmation and terminal delivery instructions
Pro Tip
Consign the Bill of Lading to the same name and RUT that appears on the title. A mismatch between the B/L consignee and the title holder forces a B/L amendment, which costs $150-$300 and delays release by 3-7 days. Confirm the exact legal name spelling before the B/L is issued.
How does customs clearance and homologation work at Chilean ports?
Quick Answer: Vehicle homologation is the technical certification proving your car meets Chilean emissions and safety standards. After Aduana releases the vehicle, 3CV or an authorized lab issues the certificate for $400-$1,200. Registration and patente plates follow at the Registro Civil.
Clearance in Chile follows a fixed sequence. Skipping a step is not possible — each stage gates the next.
- Discharge — the vessel arrives and the unit moves to the terminal yard.
- File the Declaración de Ingreso through your agente de aduanas.
- Inspect — Aduana performs a physical VIN and condition check.
- Pay the ad valorem duty and IVA to the Tesorería.
- Release — the terminal issues the gate pass once charges clear.
- Homologate at 3CV or an authorized technical laboratory.
- Register at the Registro Civil and receive your patente plates.
Port-by-port destination charges
| Port | THC per unit | Free time | Storage per day | Aduana inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio (CLSAI) | $380–$520 | 5–7 days | $22–$45 | $90–$180 |
| Valparaíso (CLVAP) | $360–$490 | 5–7 days | $20–$40 | $90–$180 |
| Iquique (CLIQQ) | $320–$450 | 7–10 days | $18–$35 | $80–$160 |
| Antofagasta (CLANF) | $340–$470 | 5–7 days | $20–$38 | $85–$170 |
| Punta Arenas (CLPUQ) | $390–$540 | 7–10 days | $24–$48 | $95–$190 |
Free time at San Antonio runs 5-7 days on RoRo units. After that, storage climbs fast and compounds daily.
Why homologation fails
US-spec vehicles occasionally miss Chilean technical requirements. The common failure points are predictable.
- Lighting configuration — amber turn signals and headlight beam pattern
- Emissions equipment missing or non-compliant catalytic converters
- Odometer displayed in miles instead of kilometers
- Missing homologation reference for rare or low-volume models
You cannot self-clear in Chile
Chilean law requires a licensed agente de aduanas for vehicle import declarations. There is no owner-operator clearance option comparable to some other LatAm markets. Engage your broker before the vessel sails, not after it arrives — brokers need lead time to pre-file the DIN.
What hidden costs and alternatives should you budget for?
Quick Answer: Budget an extra $600-$2,500 beyond your quote for storage, demurrage, Aduana inspection, homologation and registration. Overland transport down the Pan-American Highway with a Carnet de Passages is an alternative for travelers, but border formalities and fuel usually exceed ocean freight costs.
Here is the complete landed-cost picture for a mid-size vehicle declared at $24,000, shipped from Miami to San Antonio.
| Line item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean freight (RoRo) | approx. $1,350 | approx. $1,350 | approx. $1,350 |
| Origin charges + THC | $180 | $260 | $380 |
| AES/EEI filing | $45 | $65 | $95 |
| Marine insurance (1.5–2.5%) | $360 | $480 | $600 |
| Destination THC | $380 | $420 | $520 |
| Customs broker | $450 | $550 | $900 |
| Ad valorem 6% | $0 (FTA) | $1,550 | $1,557 |
| IVA 19% | $4,885 | $5,202 | $5,226 |
| Homologation | $400 | $700 | $1,200 |
| Registration + patente | $120 | $180 | $280 |
| Total landed cost | $8,170 | $10,757 | $12,108 |
Demurrage is the number one budget killer
A 10-day delay at San Antonio adds $180-$450 in storage alone. Delays come from missing apostilles, B/L consignee mismatches and unpaid duty.
Re-export costs more. If Aduana rejects the vehicle, expect approx. $1,400-$2,600 plus accrued storage to ship it back.
How to read a legitimate quote
A real quote itemizes origin THC, BAF, CAF, ISPS and every destination charge separately. An "all-in" number with no breakdown almost always excludes destination fees at San Antonio — which arrive as a surprise invoice from the broker. Ask for the line items before you accept any Chile rate.
Overland via the Pan-American Highway
Some travelers drive from North America to Chile. The route runs through Panama, Colombia, Peru and the Arica border crossing.
- A Carnet de Passages en Douane is required at most borders
- The Darién Gap forces a vessel or air leg between Panama and Colombia
- Driving time runs 4-6 weeks with no mechanical delays
- Insurance gaps open at every border crossing
- Fuel, lodging and border fees usually exceed the ocean freight cost
For most shippers, ocean freight wins on cost and risk. Compare Chile with lower-cost lanes in our Car Shipping to Costa Rica Calculator: 2026 Rates and Car Shipping El Salvador Calculator: Rates 2026 guides.
Spanish-language readers can also review our complete Chile vehicle shipping cost and process guide. Industry calculators such as Roadrunner's car shipping cost calculator and Navi's instant 2026 quote tool cover the US domestic leg if you need inland pickup to Miami or Houston.
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Full landed cost for your vehicle to San Antonio, Valparaíso or Iquique — taxes included.
Go to the calculator →Frequently asked questions about shipping a car to Chile
Ship your car with AB Group Shipping
Explore our overseas car shipping services: RoRo, container or air from any US port, with your rate in 60 seconds.
For current ocean freight by RoRo or exclusive 20' container from Miami, Houston or Los Angeles to San Antonio or Valparaíso, see the price table at the top of this page. Add 6% ad valorem duty, 19% IVA, destination THC, broker fees and homologation to reach your total landed cost. Use the calculator on this page for your exact route and vehicle.
Los Angeles to Valparaíso takes 22-30 days port to port with weekly to biweekly sailings. Miami to San Antonio is faster at 18-24 days. Plan another 7-14 days for Aduana clearance, homologation and registration before you can legally drive the car in Chile.
No, Chile prohibits most used-vehicle imports into the mainland customs territory. You can only bring a used car in through a specific exception: menaje de casa for returning residents with 12+ months abroad, diplomatic status, a disabled-person exemption, Zona Franca entry via ZOFRI Iquique or Punta Arenas, or temporary tourist admission for up to 180 days.
You pay 6% ad valorem duty plus 19% IVA calculated on the CIF value — the vehicle price plus ocean freight plus insurance. The US-Chile Free Trade Agreement can reduce the ad valorem duty to 0% if you present a valid certificate of origin proving US manufacture. Confirm the final assessment with a licensed agente de aduanas.
RoRo is cheaper, typically 25-35% less than an exclusive 20' container on US-to-Chile lanes. Container shipping costs more but lets you load personal items with the vehicle, offers stronger marine insurance terms, and reduces handling damage risk at the port.
Chile rewards preparation. Confirm your import route with a licensed agente de aduanas, secure the original title and FTA certificate of origin, then lock your sailing. With thousands of shipments processed across the Miami-LatAm corridor, AB Group Shipping books RoRo, shared container and FCL space on Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and Höegh Autoliners services to San Antonio, Valparaíso, Iquique and Antofagasta.
Use the car shipping calculator Chile tool above to compare RoRo, shared container and exclusive container rates for your exact vehicle and route. You get real numbers in seconds — no email required, no follow-up calls.
Guides for shipping to Chile
- Vehicle Shipping to Chile: Complete Guide to Costs & Processes 2026 · Car shipping calculator
- Moving to Chile Cost Calculator: Quotes from USA (2026) · Household move page (calculator + guide)
- Los Angeles to Chile FCL: 2026 Costs, Docs & Transit · Container (FCL) calculator
- Courier Calculator Chile: Instant Rates, 3-8 Days (2026) · Boxes & packages calculator
- Air Freight Miami to Santiago Calculator: 2026 Rates · Air freight calculator