Major Chilean Port City & Sea Freight From China to Chile

Geographically, Chile is located on the southwestern tip of South America, with a long coastline and several bays. As a result, Chilean port city has a large number. Chile is also the longest country in the world, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, and has more than 70 deep-sea ports, which are responsible for 95% of the country's foreign trade.

Chile is also one of the most economically stable countries in Latin America. Chile holds many of the world's copper reserves, making copper exports one of its primary export commodities, followed by minerals such as lithium and agricultural products, mainly fruits. In addition, Chile has signed free trade agreements with countries such as Canada, the United States, Mexico, the European Union, Japan, and China, further boosting its economy.

Eight major Chilean port city

Chilean Port City

San Antonio

chilean port city It is located on the western coastline of South America, Chile's main port.

San Antonio is the central port city of Chile, and the Port of San Antonio is also the busiest facility on the western coastline of South America. It is only 115 kilometers from Santiago, the capital of the central region. The Port of San Antonio is a naturally well-protected harbor, although occasional waves can occur. The port is designed to accommodate a wide range of maritime cargo and has facilities for handling conventional cargo, break-bulk, ro-ro, containerized cargo, and tankers.

The container handling facility at the Port of San Antonio is one of the largest in South America, with a throughput of approximately 10,442,624 tons in 2020. The Molo terminal employs more than 1,000 technicians and engineers and has a total quay length of 740 m and a depth of 11 m. The airport is located in the heart of the Port of San Antonio. It comprises 30 hectares of covered storage for containers and bulk cargo, 10,500 square meters of open storage space, and 790 refrigerated plugs.

This Chilean port city comprises four commercial areas covering 496 hectares with a maximum water depth of 11.5 m. It is a multimodal transportation hub with road and rail links connecting the capital, the southern hinterland, and Argentina. Some 1,000 ships frequent the port each year, carrying 12,150,000 tons of cargo and 775,000 TEUs.

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Valparaiso

chilean port city It is located in Chile's central region, the country's second most crucial port facility.

The Port of Valparaiso, also known as the "Jewel of the Pacific," is Chile's second most crucial port facility in the country's central region facing the Pacific Ocean. The port has been one of the busiest facilities since the late 1990s as Chile's tourism and shipping industries have grown due to increased exports.

The Port of Valparaiso is a cultural center and the most popular cruise destination. It is a significant contributor to the Chilean economy, with more than 45 cruise ships making frequent calls to the port during summer, carrying up to 100,000 tourists. It is also a cargo port, handling 10 million tons of conventional cargo and more than 30% of Chile's international maritime trade through its various terminals. It is also the second-highest container holding facility after the Port of San Antonio. Exports from the Port of Valparaiso include copper, fresh fruit, and wine, while major imports include chemicals, vehicles, and packaged foods.

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Arica

chilean port city Located in the north of Chile, it also provides re-export services to neighboring countries such as Argentina, Peru, and Brazil.

The Chilean port city-Arica is located on the Pacific coast of northern Chile, just a few kilometers from the Peruvian border. The Port of Arica is an essential and indispensable port for Chile, providing re-export services to neighboring countries such as Argentina, Peru, and Brazil and supporting free trade in Bolivia. Its easy accessibility, with road and rail connections to all major Chilean cities, makes it the commercial hub of northern Chile.

The port of Arica consists of six jetties, naturally sheltered by a 1,100-meter-long breakwater. The port has a wide range of operations and can handle all export commodities, such as bulk minerals, metals, fishmeal, olives, and oil. The main imports, on the other hand, include fertilizers, grains, cereals, machine parts, and consumer goods. It is worth noting that the port of Africa is also home to an oil pipeline from Bolivia, providing it with a constant energy supply.

Every year, some 1,093,597 tons of cargo and 300 ships visit the port, making it an important gateway for international trade in northern Chile. The prosperity and diversity of the port of Arica not only boost the Chilean economy but also contribute positively to the capital of the local community.

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Coquimbo

chilean port city Located in central Chile.

The Port of Coquimbo is located near the Gulf of Coquimbo in central Chile. It is a well-protected natural harbor, a commercial and trade center, and a famous port city in South America. In winter, the port is used by the country's naval fleet. An ever-expanding cargo port, a wide range of goods such as cement, agricultural products, ores, fertilizers, and concentrates pass through it. Coquimbo handles approximately 210,000 tons of general cargo and 2,550 TEUs per year.

The Port of Kokimbo has two wharves handling general cargo, with a total length of 380 m and a depth of 11 m. One of the berths is dedicated to the export of copper, fresh fruits, dried fish, and minerals, while the other berth handles the shipment of wheat, maize, sugar, and industrial goods.

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Iquique

chilean port city Located on the northern coast of Chile.

Iquique is located on Chile's coastline facing the North Pacific Ocean. Its port is an artificial harbor built on reclaimed land with facilities for handling containerized cargo, dry cargo, liquid bulk, breakbulk, ro-ro, and passengers. Compared to other Chilean ports, its location on an island allows for expansion, where development is limited due to urban growth.

The Port of Cork covers an area of 20 hectares and handles imported machinery and equipment, explosives, sacks, paper, copper concentrates, iron, slag, vegetable oils, general cargo, and containers. It takes approximately 2,270 ships, 8,900,000 tons of cargo, 147,550 TEUs, and 53 cruise ships carrying 100,000 passengers annually.

The port exports dairy products such as milk powder and butter, fertilizers, ammonia, urea, wood chips, livestock, and refined and unrefined petroleum products. Imports include grains, animal feed, fruits, perishables such as molasses, automobiles, cement, coal, steel plates, logs, manganese and its ores, acids, and chemicals.

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Lirquen

chilean port city It is located in central Chile.

Located in central Chile, the Chilean port city-Lirquen, on the southeastern side of the Gulf of Concepción, is essential for handling containerized cargo, fertilizers, sugar, grains, and general cargo imports. It exports timber, newsprint, pulp, fishmeal, fruit, and wood and is connected by rail to the copper mines of central Chile, so copper is also a significant export. About 2.71 million tons of cargo and 280 ships pass through the port annually.

It has two main cargo handling areas. Four berths at Terminal 1 can accommodate bulk carriers, and the berths are equipped with a mechanized conveyor system for fast and efficient loading and unloading of bulk cargo. Two designated berths at Terminal 2 are used for handling containerized cargoes only.

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Punta Arenas

chilean port city Located in southern Chile, it is an important transit point for ships sailing in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Punta Arenas is located in the south of Chile, near the Strait of Magellan, and handles regular cargo, containerized cargo, and passengers. It has numerous terminals, piers, and satellite ports, such as Percy Harbor, Lenadura, Bahia Gregoria, Caletaquat, and Laredo.

The Port of Punta Arenas has numerous public and private terminals for handling methanol, meat, fish, and wool. The LPG terminal, located in Cabo Negro, is one of the annexed ports and can accommodate tankers up to 100,000 DWT, with an LOA of 240 m and a draught of 12 m. It handles 350,000 tons of cargo and 13,000 TEUs per year.

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Talcahuano

chilean port city Located in central Chile.

As a beautiful Chilean port city, Talcajiano is Located on the southwestern tip of the Gulf of Concepción in central Chile. It is a well-known manufacturing and fishing center. It also has the country's main naval base, and the port handles many general cargo, bulk, and ro-ro vessels. The port is visited by 300 ships per year and can accommodate vessels of 180 m with a maximum draft of 10 m. The port is also a significant naval base.

Puerto Talcahuano is a well-protected natural harbor divided into a cargo handling area and a fishing port. In the north, there is a naval base and a shipyard for repairing and maintaining fishing vessels and small cargo ships. The cargo handling facilities cover an area of 92,000 square meters, and the fishing port covers an area of 19,000 square meters. It has two warehouses with 33,000 square meters of storage space.

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What is the process of transporting cargo to a Chilean port city?

Transportation to a Chilean port city usually includes the following steps:

Cargo preparation: First, prepare the goods to be transported. Ensure that the goods are appropriately packaged and labeled to prevent damage during transportation.
Documentation Preparation: Prepare all necessary Documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, customs clearance documents, marine insurance policies (if required), and any certificates or licenses required for specific commodities.
Sign a freight agreement: Choose a trusted freight forwarder or logistics company or work with a freight forwarder to arrange the ocean transportation of your goods. Ensure that the freight forwarder can provide services to Chile.
Shipment: Transportation of goods from the place of shipment to the designated Chilean port, usually by land or sea.
Customs clearance: Once the goods arrive at the Chilean port, they must undergo customs clearance procedures. This involves submitting the necessary documents and information for customs approval and release.
Transportation and distribution: In the case of door-to-door Transportation, after customs clearance, the goods will be transported from the port to the destination by land transportation. Intermodal Transportation with other modes of transport (e.g., train or truck) may be required for inland Transportation in Chile.
Delivery: Finally, the goods will be delivered to the consignee. Before delivery, double-check the conformity of the goods and ensure that all relevant documents and information have been handled correctly.

It should be noted that the specific cargo transportation process may vary depending on the type of cargo, destination, and mode of Transportation. Therefore, when planning cargo transportation, it is advisable to consult with a professional freight forwarder or logistics company like Jike Logistics to ensure a smooth process.

What factors affect the transportation of goods to the Chilean Port City?

Chile is on the west coast of South America, and its port cities are strategically located near the Pacific Ocean and the Asia-Pacific region, making Chile a crucial logistics center connecting South America and the Asia-Pacific region. This advantage makes Chilean ports an essential choice for cargo transportation. However, the transportation of goods to Chilean port cities is also influenced by several factors that may affect Transportation efficiency, time, and cost. These factors are further analyzed below:

Weather factors: Adverse weather conditions, such as storms and heavy waves, may affect the speed of operation and the replenishment time of the vessel, resulting in longer transportation times. This may increase transportation costs and delay delivery time. Therefore, weather stability and safety must be considered when choosing Chilean ports.
Route conditions: Chilean routes may not be direct routes, and ships must pass through ports in other countries. The efficiency of the ship's voyage may vary depending on the season, climate, and other natural conditions. This may affect the time and cost of Transportation. Therefore, when choosing Chilean ports, you need to consider the stability and reliability of the routes.
Characteristics of cargo: Different types and natures of freight require different transportation times and modes. For example, fragile goods require special handling and must be specially placed in the hold. This may increase transportation costs and time. Therefore, when choosing a Chilean port, it is necessary to consider the cargo's characteristics and requirements.
Port facilities: Facilities and equipment in Chilean ports can also affect the efficiency of cargo transportation; some small ports have outdated or insufficient facilities, which may increase the time and cost of goods staying in the harbor. Therefore, when choosing a Chilean port, you must consider the port's facilities and equipment condition.

Shipping to Chile and choosing the most suitable port requires a combination of factors such as the nature of the goods, the location of the destination, transportation costs, and time. You should consult with a freight forwarder or logistics company before deciding to ensure that you choose the most appropriate port.

Why is Jike Logistics a top China Freight Forwarder for shipping from China to the Chilean Port City?

JIKE Logistics -- China Freight Forwarding

Localized and experienced service: Jike Logistics, based in China, has extensive experience and expertise in the Chilean market and professional partners in Chile, which means we have greater flexibility in handling communications with local customs, agents, and shipping companies and can better address unexpected issues. We are familiar with local regulations and procedures and can provide tailored advice and solutions.
Competitive shipping services: We cooperate with reliable transportation companies and have contract discounts from airlines and ship owners to provide stable and competitive transportation services, ensuring your shipments arrive in Chile safely and on time.
Customer Support: We are always ready to answer your questions and solve your problems. You can contact Jike at any time.

You can take advantage of these benefits by choosing Jike Logistics as your freight forwarder. We are committed to providing hassle-free logistics solutions so that your shipments arrive safely and on time, saving time and effort in Chile.

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FAQs - Chilean port city

How long does shipping a container from China to a Chilean port city usually take?

The time it takes to ship a container to a Chilean port depends on several factors, including the mode of transportation, distance, and how busy the port is. Generally speaking, ocean freight time may be around 40 to 50 days. However, the actual time may vary for various reasons.

Should I buy cargo insurance for shipments to Chilean ports?

Cargo insurance is generally recommended. There are insurance costs associated with purchasing cargo insurance, but purchasing cargo insurance reduces transportation risks.

Which Chilean ports are suitable for the export of dangerous goods or heavy cargo?

Chile has several ports for exporting dangerous goods or heavy cargo, including Valparaiso and San Antonio ports.

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[2025] Guides on Shipping to Chile - Air, Express & Sea Freight