Quick Answer: Moving household goods from the USA to Chile with AB Group Shipping costs from $2,863 (September 2026 quote) for boxes and some furniture (about 13 m³) consolidated from Miami, 27 days port to port. A 2-bedroom move in a 20 ft container costs $2,900 from New Jersey, 14 days. Prices exclude import taxes and destination charges.
- International moving from USA to Chile starts at $2,900 for a 2-bedroom move (20ft container) and $3,100 for a 3+ bedroom move (40ft HC), from Miami or New Jersey (September 2026 rates)
- Required documents: original bill of lading, an itemized inventory valued in US dollars (Spanish or English), passport or ID, plus a PDI travel certificate for returning Chileans or a temporary residence visa of at least one year for foreigners
- Transit times are 24 days from Miami (Port Everglades) to San Antonio and 32 days from Houston, the port our Los Angeles moves leave from
- Best moving months are March-May and September-November to avoid peak season surcharges
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Go to the calculator →Reference prices: moving from the USA to Chile
| Port | Boxes | 2-bed | 3+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiamiPort Everglades | $2,863 | $2,900 | $3,100 |
| Houston | $4,267 | $3,217 | $3,484 |
| New JerseyPhiladelphia | ≈ $3,200 | $2,900 | $3,100 |
| Los Angeles | $3,175 | ≈ $3,360 | ≈ $3,580 |
Port to port to Santiago or San Antonio, in USD, quoted with our system on September 28, 2026. Includes freight and US export charges; excludes import taxes and destination charges. Boxes: consolidated, ≈13 m³. 2-bed: 20 ft container. 3+ bed: 40 ft HC container. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery. ≈ Approximate price: what our system quotes leaving from another port, or the median of the other ports for that shipment.
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 International Moving from USA to Chile Cost in 2026?
International moving from USA to Chile costs $2,900-$3,610 for a 2-bedroom move in a 20ft container and $3,100-$3,910 for a 3+ bedroom move in a 40ft HC container in September 2026 (Miami/New Jersey to Savannah, port to port). Final pricing depends on origin city, container size, packing services, and seasonal surcharges.
Container shipping represents the most cost-effective method for transporting household goods from the United States to Chile. The pricing structure reflects current ocean freight rates, fuel surcharges, and port handling fees across major shipping routes. Understanding these cost components helps you budget accurately for your international relocation.20ft Container (1-2 Bedroom)
$2,900-$3,610 port to port in September 2026 (Miami or New Jersey $2,900, Savannah $3,610). Capacity of 1,000-1,200 cubic feet accommodates studio to two-bedroom apartments with standard furniture loads.
40ft Container (3-4 Bedroom)
$3,100-$3,910 in September 2026 (40ft HC, port to port, Miami/New Jersey to Savannah) for full household shipments with 2,200-2,400 cubic feet capacity. Provides excellent value per cubic foot for larger homes with complete furniture sets and appliances.
- Professional packing services: $1,200-$3,500 depending on home size and fragile items
- Marine insurance: 1-3% of declared value for full replacement coverage
- Customs clearance: $350-$650 for document processing and inspection fees
- Destination delivery: $400-$800 from Chilean port to final address
Pro Tip
Book your move during March-May or September-November shoulder seasons to avoid peak surcharges while maintaining reliable vessel schedules and standard transit times.
What Documents Are Required for USA to Chile International Moving?
Chilean Customs (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas) asks for the original bill of lading, an itemized inventory with a value in US dollars for each item, and your passport or ID. Returning Chileans add a travel certificate issued by the PDI; foreigners add a temporary residence visa valid for at least one year.
The documents prove two things: that the goods are yours and used, and that you qualify for the duty-free allowance. The list below is the one Aduanas publishes, with what movers' customs guides (FIDI, October 2024; IAM, June 2026) add in practice. The customs agent in Chile supplies the customs forms.- Original bill of lading: With the shipment consigned in the name of the person who claims the allowance
- Valued inventory: An item-by-item list with a value in US dollars for each item; the guides say Chilean Customs accepts it in Spanish or English only
- Passport or ID: A copy of the photo page, with the stamp of your last entry into Chile
- Returning Chileans: A travel certificate (Certificado de Viajes) issued by the Policía de Investigaciones (PDI), which proves how long you lived abroad
- Foreigners: A temporary residence visa or work-contract visa valid for one year or more
- SAG or health approval: Only when the shipment includes items those agencies control, such as plant or animal products or medicines
Value Every Item Honestly
The duty-free allowance is capped by value, so the inventory decides what you pay. Customs values used goods at their normal second-hand price in the country where you bought them, and movers' guides report that almost every household shipment is physically inspected.
Which USA-Chile Shipping Routes Offer the Best Value?
From Miami, AB Group containers sail from Port Everglades and reach San Antonio, Chile's main container port, in 24 days. Moves from Los Angeles and the West Coast leave through Houston and take 32 days to San Antonio (September 2026 sailings).
Route selection significantly impacts both cost and transit time for your international move to Chile. Major shipping lines operate regular services connecting US ports with Chilean destinations, but frequency and pricing vary considerably based on origin location and seasonal demand patterns.
MiamiUSMIA
San AntonioCLSAI
Los AngelesUSLAX
San AntonioCLSAI
- New York / New Jersey-San Antonio: leaves from Philadelphia, 14 days transit
- Houston-San Antonio: 32 days transit, the option for Central US origins
- Savannah-San Antonio / Valparaíso: 33 days transit
How Do Container Sizes Affect International Moving Costs to Chile?
A 20ft container holds 1-2 bedroom contents (1,000-1,200 cubic feet) while a 40ft container accommodates 3-4 bedrooms (2,200-2,400 cubic feet). Cost per cubic foot decreases significantly with larger containers.
Container size selection directly impacts your cost efficiency and determines how much household content you can ship in a single shipment. Understanding capacity limitations and weight restrictions helps optimize your container choice while staying within budget constraints.40ft containers offer 30-40% better cost per cubic foot compared to 20ft containers, making them ideal for larger households despite higher absolute cost.
- 20ft container: 1-2 bedrooms, $2,900-$3,610 (September 2026, Miami/New Jersey to Savannah), ideal for apartments and small homes
- 40ft container: 3-4 bedrooms, $3,100-$3,910 (September 2026, 40ft HC, Miami/New Jersey to Savannah), best value for complete households
- 40ft High Cube: 2,600-2,800 cubic feet, $3,100-$3,910 (September 2026, Miami/New Jersey to Savannah), maximum volume capacity
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Get instant pricing →What Are Chilean Customs Regulations for Household Goods in 2026?
Chile exempts used household goods from duty and IVA only up to a value cap. As of October 2026, returning Chileans get US$675 FOB after 6 to 12 months abroad, US$4,050 after more than 1 and up to 5 years, and US$6,750 after more than 5 years; foreigners with a temporary residence visa of one year or more get US$6,750. Value above the cap pays duty and 19% IVA.
The allowance is a customs franchise in Partida 0009 of Chile's Customs Tariff, run by the Servicio Nacional de Aduanas. It is not an unlimited exemption: it covers used household goods (menaje de casa) and work tools up to a value in US dollars, updated every five years (last by Exempt Decree No. 97 of the Ministry of Finance, published April 1, 2023), and the same person can use it again only after three years. Returning Chileans qualify after living abroad for more than six months and returning for good. The stay must be uninterrupted unless Customs excuses the interruption, and the cap depends on the time abroad:- 6 months to 1 year abroad: household goods up to US$675 FOB
- More than 1 and up to 5 years abroad: household goods and work tools up to US$4,050 FOB
- More than 5 years abroad: household goods and work tools up to US$6,750 FOB
What Is Not Covered Pays Tax
Value above your cap, new items, and shipments that miss the conditions pay Chile's general import taxes: 6% duty on the CIF value plus 19% IVA, with a 50% surcharge on the duty for used goods. Movers' customs guides put the total near 30% of CIF value for used household goods without an exemption.
- Values in US dollars: the inventory lists each item with its value in US dollars, not pesos
- Customs agent: individuals may clear non-commercial goods themselves only up to a value limit (US$4,050 on Aduanas' traveler page, as of October 2026); above it a licensed customs agent files the import, the normal case for a container
- Inspection and storage costs: set by the port terminal, the warehouse and your agent rather than by one official rate; ask for them in writing
- Storage deadline: goods left more than 90 days in a customs warehouse are presumed abandoned and pay a surcharge
Which Items Are Prohibited When Moving to Chile?
Chile bans narcotics, used motorcycles and, with narrow exceptions, used cars. Firearms need prior authorization from the DGMN. Food, plants, seeds, wood and other plant or animal products must be declared and are inspected by SAG, which destroys what it rejects. Medicines, alcohol and pets have their own rules.
Chilean import rules combine outright bans with goods that need another agency's approval (visto bueno) before Customs releases them. Sorting these items out before packing prevents delays, fines and the loss of the goods.Do Not Pack These
Narcotics are prohibited, and possessing them is a serious crime in Chile. Firearms, ammunition and explosives need prior authorization from the Dirección General de Movilización Nacional (DGMN) and cannot travel as ordinary household goods. Used motorcycles cannot be imported, and movers' customs guides also list used tires, plants and soil as prohibited.
- Electronics and appliances: Chile's supply is 220V at 50 Hz, so US 110V appliances need a transformer
- Vehicles: Chile bans the import of used vehicles (Law 18.483), with exceptions such as Chileans returning after 18 months or more abroad, who may bring one vehicle and pay full duty and IVA; used motorcycles are always banned
- Medicines: carry them in your luggage with the prescription; medicines shipped as cargo need the health authority's approval and can be held for weeks
- Alcohol: 2.5 liters per adult enter duty-free; larger amounts pay duty and taxes and are controlled by SAG
- Pets: dogs and cats need a health certificate and vaccination record and are not quarantined; ask SAG about other species
How Do Seasonal Factors Affect USA-Chile Moving Costs?
Peak season (December-February) adds $800-$1,500 to base rates due to Chilean summer demand. Best value months are March-May and September-November with standard pricing and reliable vessel schedules.
Seasonal demand patterns significantly impact international moving costs to Chile due to the country's reverse seasons and holiday schedules. Understanding these patterns helps optimize timing for cost savings while ensuring reliable service availability. Peak season pricing during December through February reflects increased demand as families relocate during Chilean summer months and school vacation periods. Ocean carriers implement peak season surcharges ranging from $800-$1,500 per container during this period. The shoulder seasons of March-May and September-November offer optimal value with standard pricing and reliable vessel schedules. These periods avoid both peak season surcharges and low season capacity reductions while maintaining consistent transit times.Moving during shoulder seasons saves an average of $1,200 compared to peak season rates while maintaining reliable service levels and standard transit times.
- Low season (June-August): Potential savings of $300-$600 but limited vessel frequency
- Holiday impacts: Avoid shipping during Chilean Independence Day (September 18-19)
- Weather considerations: Winter storms can delay vessels
- Customs processing: Clearance slows around public holidays, when offices close
What Insurance Coverage Do You Need for Chile International Moving?
Basic marine insurance covers $0.60 per pound, while full replacement value insurance costs 1-3% of declared value. Recommend minimum $1.50 per pound coverage for household goods shipments to Chile.
Marine insurance protection becomes critical for international moves due to extended transit times and multiple handling points between origin and destination. Understanding coverage options and limitations helps select appropriate protection levels for your specific household goods value. Basic coverage at $0.60 per pound represents industry minimum liability but provides insufficient protection for most household items. This coverage barely covers replacement costs for clothing and books while leaving furniture and electronics severely underprotected. Enhanced coverage at $1.50-$3.00 per pound provides realistic replacement value protection for typical household goods. This coverage level accommodates furniture, appliances, and electronics at current market replacement costs without significant out-of-pocket expenses.Basic Marine Coverage
$0.60 per pound industry standard, covers shipping liability only. Insufficient for furniture, electronics, or valuable household items requiring replacement at destination.
Full Value Protection
1-3% of declared value, provides complete replacement cost coverage. Recommended for shipments containing valuable furniture, electronics, or irreplaceable personal items.
- Claims process: Note visible damage on the delivery receipt; under US ocean cargo law (COGSA) hidden damage must be notified in writing within three days of delivery, and your policy sets its own claim deadline
- Documentation required: Original inventory, photos of damage, repair estimates
- Recommended minimums: $1.50/lb for furniture, $5.00/lb for electronics
- Deductibles: Typically $250-$500 per claim depending on coverage level
Insurance Timing
Purchase insurance before pickup to ensure coverage from origin to destination. Adding insurance after pickup limits coverage to ocean transit only, excluding inland transportation.
How Long Does International Moving from USA to Chile Take?
The ocean leg takes 14 to 33 days depending on the US departure port (AB Group sailings, September 2026): 14 days from Philadelphia, 24 from Port Everglades (Miami), 32 from Houston and 33 from Savannah, arriving at San Antonio. Packing and pickup come before the sailing; Chilean customs clearance (about 5 to 10 working days for a full container, according to movers' customs guides) and final delivery come after it.
International moving timelines to Chile involve multiple phases from initial pickup through final delivery, with each phase contributing to total transit duration. Understanding these timeframes helps coordinate temporary housing, work schedules, and essential item planning during the relocation process. Ocean transit represents the longest single phase, requiring 14 to 33 days depending on the departure port. Sailings from Port Everglades (Miami) to San Antonio take 24 days, while West Coast moves from Los Angeles leave through Houston and take 32 days. Chilean customs clearance adds about 5-10 working days for a full container, according to movers' customs guides (FIDI, October 2024; IAM, June 2026), and it includes the Customs and SAG inspections that almost all household shipments receive. Missing documents are the usual cause of longer delays.- Pickup and export processing: 3-5 days for packing, loading, and US customs clearance
- Ocean transit: 14-33 days depending on the departure port
- Chilean customs clearance: about 5-10 working days for documentation review and inspection
- Final delivery: 3-7 days from customs release to destination address
Port-to-port sailing time on AB Group's September 2026 routes to San Antonio, from 14 days out of Philadelphia to 33 days out of Savannah. Pickup, customs clearance and delivery are additional.
What Professional Packing Services Are Available for Chile Moves?
Professional packing services cost $1,200-$3,500 depending on home size and fragile items. Full-service packing includes materials, labor, and inventory documentation required for Chilean customs.
Professional packing services provide critical protection for household goods during international transit while ensuring compliance with Chilean customs documentation requirements. These services range from complete household packing to specialized protection for fragile or valuable items. Full-service packing costs $1,200-$3,500 for complete household preparation and includes all materials, labor, and detailed inventory documentation. This service covers furniture protection, dish packing, clothing organization, and electronics preparation using professional-grade materials. Partial packing services focus on fragile items, electronics, and artwork requiring specialized handling. These services cost $400-$1,200 and complement self-packing efforts while providing professional protection for high-value or delicate items.- Materials included: Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, furniture pads, custom crating
- Labor services: Disassembly, packing, loading supervision, inventory creation
- Documentation: Detailed valued inventory for Chilean customs, in Spanish or English
- Specialized services: Piano moving, artwork crating, electronics preparation
Inventory Documentation
Professional packers create the detailed inventory Chilean customs requires (in Spanish or English, with a value in US dollars for each item), saving time and ensuring accurate item descriptions for duty assessment.
How Do Chilean Peso Exchange Rates Affect Moving Costs?
Ocean freight and US services are quoted in US dollars, so the peso does not change them. Chilean import taxes are also calculated on a dollar value and are paid in pesos at the exchange rate in force on the day of payment. Only services billed in pesos inside Chile move with the exchange rate.
Currency matters less for a move to Chile than it seems, because most of the bill is fixed in dollars. Knowing which charges are in which currency helps you budget. USD pricing applies to ocean freight, US-based services, and international insurance coverage, providing cost certainty for the majority of moving expenses. These charges remain fixed regardless of peso exchange rate fluctuations during transit periods. Chilean customs works in dollars too. The duty-free caps are set in US dollars, the inventory is valued in US dollars, and any duty and IVA are percentages of that value. The amount is then paid in pesos at the exchange rate in force on the payment date, fixed by the Banco Central de Chile, so a weaker peso raises the number of pesos but not the dollar cost.- Rate application: duties and IVA are paid in pesos at the exchange rate of the day of payment
- Reference rate: the dólar observado averaged about 947 pesos per US dollar in September 2026, and its monthly average ranged from about 862 to 947 between January and September 2026 (Servicio de Impuestos Internos)
- Peso-billed services: services provided inside Chile, such as the customs agent, storage and local delivery, may be invoiced in pesos
How to Get an Accurate Quote for USA-Chile International Moving
Accurate quotes require detailed inventory, origin/destination addresses, packing preferences, and timing flexibility. Use our embedded calculator below for instant estimates based on current 2026 rates and routing options.
Obtaining accurate international moving quotes requires comprehensive information about your household contents, service requirements, and timing preferences. Complete details enable precise pricing while avoiding unexpected charges during the moving process. Inventory requirements include room-by-room listings with furniture dimensions, quantities, and special handling needs. Professional movers use this information to determine container size requirements and calculate accurate cubic footage for pricing purposes. Address specifics affect local trucking costs at both origin and destination. Access limitations, stairs, elevators, and distance from main roads impact pickup and delivery pricing by $200-$800 depending on complexity and equipment requirements.- Service level preferences: Full-service vs. port-to-port affects pricing by $800-$2,200
- Packing requirements: Professional vs. self-packing impacts costs and insurance coverage
- Timing flexibility: Flexible dates save $400-$1,000 during off-peak periods
- Insurance coverage: Protection level selection affects premium calculations
Calculate your moving costs instantly
Use our embedded calculator for real-time pricing based on your specific requirements and current 2026 rates.
Get instant pricing →Move with AB Group Shipping
Planning the whole move? Our international movers pack, ship and handle customs, with your door-to-port price in 60 seconds.
A 3-bedroom house typically requires a 40ft container; see the price table at the top of this page for current rates by origin. Additional costs include packing services, insurance (1-3% of value), and Chilean duty and IVA on anything outside the duty-free allowance, such as new items or value above your cap.
You need the original bill of lading, an itemized inventory with a value in US dollars for each item (in Spanish or English), and a copy of your passport. Returning Chileans add the travel certificate (Certificado de Viajes) issued by the PDI; foreigners add a temporary residence visa valid for at least one year. Your customs agent in Chile files the import with the Servicio Nacional de Aduanas.
The ocean leg takes 14 to 33 days depending on the US departure port: 24 days from Miami (Port Everglades) to San Antonio, 14 from Philadelphia, 32 from Houston and 33 from Savannah on our September 2026 sailings. Add packing and pickup before the sailing, then about 5 to 10 working days for Chilean customs clearance of a full container, plus final delivery.
Usually not. Chile bans the import of used vehicles (Law 18.483), and the household goods allowance does not cover them. The main exception is for Chileans returning for good after 18 months or more abroad, who may import one vehicle under Partida 0033 of the Customs Tariff, paying full duty and IVA and using a customs agent. Used motorcycles cannot be imported at all, and movers' customs guides say foreigners may only import new vehicles. Confirm your case with a Chilean customs agent before shipping a car.
Used household goods are free of duty and IVA only up to a value cap that depends on who you are. As of October 2026, returning Chileans may bring in goods worth US$675 FOB after 6 to 12 months abroad, US$4,050 after more than 1 and up to 5 years, and US$6,750 after more than 5 years; foreigners with a temporary residence visa of one year or more get US$6,750. New items and value above the cap pay 6% duty plus 19% IVA, with a surcharge on the duty for used goods. Confirm your case with a Chilean customs agent before shipping.
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