Shipping to South America
Full containers, shared loads and air freight from the UK to South America
Sea and air services from one UK team, with onward delivery to Bolivia and Paraguay and import paperwork checked against each country’s rules.
- 1–4 days by air to major cities
- Onward delivery inland
- 13 countries covered
UK to South America freight
Sea and air freight from the UK to 13 South American countries
Qube Cargo ships from the UK to ports right around South America, from Cartagena and Georgetown in the north to Santos, Buenos Aires, Valparaíso and Callao. We run full and shared containers, air freight to major cities, and onward road or river transport to Bolivia and Paraguay.
Import rules differ a lot between countries. UK deals mean 0% duty on most UK goods in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, while Brazil and Argentina have complex taxes and registration rules. We handle the paperwork at both ends.
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Shipping to South America
South America at a glance
Watch out for: Brazil and Argentina have complex import rules. Importers usually need to be registered, and duties and taxes can add up to a large share of the goods value, so get a quote for the full landed cost. *Import VAT still applies.
Freight services to South America
Sea freight carries most cargo to South America, with air for urgent shipments and specialist teams for mining and energy projects. Choose the service that fits your load and deadline.
Sea freight
Full and shared containers to Santos, Buenos Aires, Valparaíso, Callao, Cartagena and more, 2 to 7 weeks.
Sea freight →
Air freight
1 to 4 days to major cities such as São Paulo, Santiago, Lima and Bogotá.
Air freight →
Project cargo
Mining, energy and infrastructure equipment for sites in Chile, Peru, Brazil and beyond.
Project cargo →South American Shipping Destinations
Find your country below for typical transit times, import tax and duty. Click through for ports, customs and FAQs.
Brazil and the Southern Cone
Direct services to Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Valparaíso, with road and river links to Paraguay. Mercosur countries share a common tariff, while Chile has a UK trade deal.
Brazil18–25 days1–3 daysSeveral federal and state taxes (reform from 2026)Depends on the goods
Argentina25–32 days1–3 days21% VAT plus import surchargesDepends on the goods (Mercosur tariff)
Uruguay22–28 days1–3 days22% VATDepends on the goods (Mercosur tariff)
Chile30–40 days1–3 days19% VAT0% on most UK-origin goods*
Paraguay35–45 days door to door2–4 days10% VATDepends on the goods (Mercosur tariff)The Andes and the Pacific coast
Sea freight to Callao and Guayaquil via the Panama Canal, with Bolivia served through Chilean or Peruvian ports. The UK–Andean agreement gives 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods in Peru and Ecuador.
Peru25–35 days1–3 days18% VAT (IGV)0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Ecuador25–35 days1–3 days15% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Bolivia40–50 days door to door2–4 days13% VATDepends on the goodsThe north coast and the Guianas
Short Caribbean routes to Cartagena, Barranquilla, Georgetown, Paramaribo and Dégrad des Cannes. Colombia has a UK trade deal, and Guyana and Suriname are CARIFORUM members.
Colombia16–22 days (Caribbean coast)1–3 days19% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Guyana20–28 days2–3 days14% VATReduced on many UK goods*
Suriname18–25 days2–3 days10% VATReduced on many UK goods*
French Guiana15–22 days1–3 daysNo VAT; dock dues apply0% on UK-origin goods with a statement on origin
VenezuelaUK sanctions apply––Call us firstSea times are typical port-to-port times unless marked door to door, and vary by service and season. *UK-origin goods with proof of origin; import tax still applies. Click any country for full details.
Speak to a South America freight specialist for tailored shipping solutions across air and sea freight.
UK trade deals that cut duty in South America
UK trade deals give duty-free access for most UK goods along the Pacific coast. Here is how it works across the continent.
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
UK–Andean trade agreement: 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods.
Chile
UK–Chile agreement and the CPTPP: 0% duty on most UK-origin goods.
Guyana and Suriname
UK–CARIFORUM agreement: reduced duty on many UK goods.
French Guiana
French territory under EU rules: 0% duty on UK-origin goods, plus local dock dues.
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia
No UK trade deal, so the national or Mercosur tariff applies.
Venezuela
UK sanctions apply. Please call us on 01200 318108 before you plan a shipment.
Import VAT or sales tax is charged in almost every country, whatever the duty rate.
Customs & Shipping to South America
Shipping to South America requires accurate customs documentation and compliance with international and local regulations.
Customs requirements across South America can vary significantly between countries, with additional documentation or inspections often required depending on the shipment.
Key requirements typically include commercial invoices, commodity codes, and correct declaration of goods. Additional requirements may vary depending on the destination country and cargo type.
We manage customs processes as part of the overall shipment, ensuring goods move efficiently and compliantly across borders.
Why businesses choose Qube Cargo for South America freight
- Established air and sea freight routes to key South American markets
- Customs processes managed to reduce delays and disruption
- Flexible solutions including FCL, LCL, and specialist cargo handling
- Experience supporting complex and time-critical shipments
- Clear communication and full shipment visibility
Frequently asked questions about shipping to South America
Shipping typically requires a commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate commodity codes. Additional documentation may be required depending on the destination and cargo type.
Transit times vary depending on destination and transport method. Air freight is the fastest option, while sea freight provides a more cost-effective solution for less urgent shipments.
We provide air freight, sea freight, FCL, FCL and specialist cargo solutions tailored to your requirements.
Yes, we manage customs processes to ensure shipments are compliant and move efficiently through borders.
Yes, we handle dangerous goods, temperature-controlled shipments, oversized cargo, and time-critical deliveries.
UK trade deals mean 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay have no UK deal, so the Mercosur tariff applies. French Guiana follows EU rules. Import VAT is charged in every country.
Yes. Both are landlocked, so we ship by sea to ports such as Arica, Santos, Montevideo or Buenos Aires and then on by road or river. Allow around 35–50 days door to door.