Shipping
More traders in Brazil, Chile, Peru and Colombia now buy machinery, spare parts and electronics in Dubai, and the questions we hear are always the same. Which port? How long? Can I bring a used car? This guide covers shipping from Dubai to South America in plain terms, country by country.
Shipping from Dubai to South America works in full containers or by air. Sea cargo leaves Jebel Ali and changes vessel at a hub on the way, because there is no direct liner service from the Gulf. Air cargo starts at 45 kg. Most South American countries restrict used car imports, so check the rules before you buy a vehicle.
How cargo gets from Dubai to South America
No shipping line runs a direct service from the Gulf to the east or west coast of South America. Your container is loaded at Jebel Ali, sails to a transhipment hub, and moves onto a vessel that serves the South American coast. We choose the routing by the next good sailing and by where the cargo has to end up.
That is why we do not quote a fixed number of days on our country pages. Transit depends on the hub and the connection at the time you ship, so we confirm it with each quote. If timing matters, tell us your deadline and we will pick the routing around it.
- Sea freight in 20ft or 40ft containers suits most commercial cargo, machinery and vehicles. See our sea freight services.
- Air freight suits urgent parts and smaller high-value shipments from 45 kg. See air freight from Dubai.
- Flat racks and open tops carry machinery that does not fit a standard box. See heavy machinery shipping.
Main ports and airports by country
Each country below has its own page with the documents, taxes and FAQs. The port in the second column is the one we use most often.
| Country | Main sea ports | Main airports |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Santos, Paranaguá, Itajaí, Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo (GRU), Viracopos (VCP) |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires, Zárate | Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) |
| Chile | San Antonio, Valparaíso, Iquique | Santiago (SCL) |
| Peru | Callao, Paita | Lima (LIM) |
| Colombia | Cartagena, Buenaventura, Barranquilla, Santa Marta | Bogotá (BOG) |
| Ecuador | Guayaquil, Posorja | Guayaquil (GYE), Quito (UIO) |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | Montevideo Carrasco (MVD) |
| Venezuela | Puerto Cabello, La Guaira, Guanta | Caracas Maiquetía (CCS) |
| Guyana | Georgetown | Georgetown Cheddi Jagan (GEO) |
Pacific coast countries such as Chile, Peru and Ecuador are often reached through a hub in Asia or through Panama. Atlantic coast countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay are usually served by services that come round the Cape of Good Hope. We handle that choice for you.
Shipping to South America soon?
Send us the cargo details and the delivery city. We reply with the routing, the sailing and the cost.
Can you ship a used car from Dubai to South America?
This is the question we get most, and for many countries the honest answer is no. Most of South America protects its local car industry with tight rules on used imports. Before you pay for a car in Dubai, check the destination rules or ask us.
| Country | Used car imports | Steering |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Generally banned. New cars and classic cars over 30 years old can qualify. | Left-hand drive |
| Argentina | Rules changed in 2024 but remain strict. Check before you buy. | Left-hand drive |
| Chile | Generally banned, with exceptions in its free zones. | Left-hand drive |
| Peru | Only very recent used light vehicles. | Left-hand drive |
| Colombia | Heavily restricted. | Left-hand drive |
| Ecuador | Generally prohibited. | Left-hand drive |
| Uruguay | Generally banned. | Left-hand drive |
| Guyana | Drives on the left and restricts left-hand-drive cars. | Right-hand drive |
New vehicles, trucks and machinery are a different story and ship regularly. We load up to 6 cars in a 40ft container, and we can fly a car when it is needed quickly. Read more on car shipping in containers.
Before you buy: send us the year, the chassis number and the destination country. We check the current rules with our partner office there and tell you whether the car can be imported.
Import taxes you should budget for
Duty rates depend on the product code, so we cannot give one number for a whole continent. What we can tell you is which consumption tax is added on top of duty in each country, because it surprises many first-time importers.
- Brazil: federal taxes (IPI, PIS and COFINS) plus state ICMS on top of duty. The importer must be registered in Siscomex (RADAR).
- Argentina: VAT at 21% plus advance VAT and income tax payments.
- Chile: VAT (IVA) at 19% on the customs value plus duty.
- Peru: IGV and municipal tax at a combined 18%.
- Colombia: VAT (IVA) at 19%.
- Ecuador: VAT (IVA) at 15%.
- Uruguay: VAT (IVA) at 22%.
- Venezuela: VAT (IVA) at 16%. Rules change often, so we screen every shipment first.
Our network partner office in each country confirms the duty for your goods before the cargo leaves Dubai.
Documents for shipping to South America
The paperwork is similar across the region. Get these right and clearance is usually smooth.
- Commercial invoice with a clear description and real values
- Packing list with weights and dimensions
- Bill of lading or air waybill, which we issue
- Certificate of origin when the goods qualify for a lower rate
- The importer’s tax number in the destination country
- Permits for regulated goods such as food, medicines and chemicals
Declared values are checked closely in most of these countries. Under-declaring causes delays and fines, so use the real invoice value.
Central America and Mexico
We also ship to Mexico through Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz and Altamira, to Panama through Balboa, Manzanillo and the Colón Free Zone, to Costa Rica and to Guatemala. Panama and Costa Rica accept left-hand-drive used cars, although Costa Rica’s import taxes are high and rise with age. Mexico generally does not accept used cars from outside North America.
Why ship with MegaSpeed Cargo
We are a Dubai freight forwarder with 40+ years in the industry. We are not a courier: we book the space, prepare the export papers, load at our Jebel Ali facility and hand the cargo to a network partner office in the destination country, which clears and delivers it. You deal with one team from Dubai to the door.
South America shipping pages
Shipping to BrazilShipping to ChileShipping to PeruShipping to ColombiaShipping to ArgentinaShipping to EcuadorSea freight servicesAir freight services
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Dubai to South America take?
It depends on the transhipment hub and the connecting vessel at the time you ship, so we confirm the transit time with each quote. Air freight is the fastest option for urgent cargo.
Is there a direct ship from Dubai to Brazil or Chile?
No. Containers from Jebel Ali change vessel at a hub on the way. We choose the routing by sailing dates and your delivery address.
Can I ship a used car from Dubai to Brazil?
Generally no. Brazil bans most used vehicle imports. New cars and classic cars over 30 years old can qualify. Ask us before you buy.
What is the minimum for air freight to South America?
Our air freight starts at 45 kg. Below that, a courier service is usually the better choice.
Do you offer groupage to South America?
No. Our groupage service runs to selected African cities only. For South America we ship full containers and air cargo.
Who clears my cargo when it arrives?
Our network partner office in the destination country handles customs clearance and delivery, and we stay your contact throughout.
Get a South America shipping quote
Tell us what you are shipping, from where and to which city. We will confirm the routing, transit time and cost.
