Shipping to South America
Freight & Logistics Solutions Across South America
Reliable freight services from the UK to South America, including air and sea transport with full customs and compliance support.
Air & Sea Freight | Customs Clearance | South America Coverage | Global Logistics
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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
We provide reliable freight and logistics solutions for businesses shipping goods between the UK and South America, where longer transit routes and varying customs requirements require careful planning and coordination.
Shipping to South America often involves longer lead times and more complex customs processes, making structured planning and experienced coordination essential.
From full container loads and groupage to time-critical and specialist cargo, shipments are coordinated across air and sea to ensure efficient and compliant delivery.
Our global network supports both standard and complex movements, including cross-border transport, customs clearance, and final delivery across South America’s key trade regions.
Freight Solutions for South America
We provide a range of freight solutions to South America, tailored to cargo type, urgency, and delivery requirements.
Air Freight to South America
Fast delivery for urgent shipments where lead times are critical across long-haul routes
Sea Freight to South America
Cost-effective solutions for large volumes moving across major ocean trade lanes
Full Container Load (FCL)
Dedicated containers for high-volume shipments
Less Than Container Load (LCL)
Shared container space for smaller consignments
Project & Specialist Cargo
Handling of oversized, hazardous, or complex shipments
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.