Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to Chile
Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Iquique and San Antonio. The rate starts at USD 7 per cubic foot to San Antonio, and the carrier estimates 50–82 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.
San Antonio, on the central coast, is Chile's busiest container port and the gateway for Santiago and Valparaíso. Iquique, in the far north, serves the Tarapacá region and its duty-free zone (ZOFRI).
Returning Chileans who lived abroad for at least a year can usually import used household goods with duty exemptions, and foreigners with residence can apply for similar treatment; a customs agent (agente de aduana) handles the clearance. Chile's agricultural service (SAG) inspects food, plants and wood closely, so declare any such items.
Commercial cargo rates to Chile
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | USD 10 / cu ft 53 days · min. USD 645.37 | USD 11 / cu ft 50 days · min. USD 682.30 | USD 7 / cu ft 64 days · min. USD 512.24 |
| Iquique | USD 10 / cu ft 82 days · min. USD 659.75 | USD 11 / cu ft 72 days · min. USD 696.69 | USD 15 / cu ft 82 days · min. USD 837.18 |
Example: a small commercial shipment from Vancouver to San Antonio
- A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 512.24
- One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 710.03
- Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 1,155.06
The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in Chile.
Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to San Antonio
- From Toronto: USD 900.76, about 53 days
- From Montreal: USD 964.34, about 50 days
- From Vancouver: USD 710.03, about 64 days
Vancouver is the least expensive gateway to San Antonio, Montreal the fastest: 14 days quicker for USD 254.31 more. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.
One pallet to different cities in Chile
- San Antonio: USD 710.03 from Vancouver, about 64 days
- Iquique: USD 900.76 from Toronto, about 82 days
The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 190.73.
Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 512.24 to San Antonio, against USD 512.24 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.
Documents for commercial cargo
- Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in Chile classify the goods.
- Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
- Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.
Pallets and crates
Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in Chile. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.
Carrier conditions for Chile
The carrier's tariff lists no special conditions for Chile beyond the general rules on this page; the destination charges are confirmed for each booking.
How to book
Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to Chile.
Shipping to Chile by service
By city: Iquique, San Antonio.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship a pallet to Chile?
One pallet of 120 × 100 × 150 cm weighing 350 kg from Vancouver to San Antonio costs about USD 710.03 including all A1 fees. Destination charges, duties and taxes are confirmed separately.
Which documents does a commercial shipment to Chile need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list, plus anything the carrier conditions for Chile require. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
Does A1 pick up or palletize the cargo?
No. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.