China and South America trade more every year — machinery, electronics, and consumer goods heading south; soybeans, copper, and beef coming north. If you are shipping cargo there for the first time, here are the answers to the three questions that matter most: how long, how much, and how to avoid customs problems.

Sea freight: the most cost-effective option

· FCL (full container load) — best for large volumes; 20ft and 40ft containers, standard or high-cube

· LCL (less-than-container-load) — best for smaller shipments; you pay only for the space you use

LCL is especially popular on the China–South America lane because many importers order in moderate volumes. A good forwarder will compare both options and pick the cheaper one for your shipment size.

Main ports on the route

Typical sea freight transit times

Estimates only — ask your forwarder for an accurate ETA for your specific port pair.

Air freight, when speed matters

Time-sensitive cargo — spare parts, electronics, samples — flies in about 5–10 days door-to-door at a higher cost per kilo. Many importers use sea freight for bulk orders and air freight for urgent restocks.

Customs clearance: don't underestimate it

South American customs is famously paperwork-heavy. Common issues: incomplete invoices, wrong HS codes, missing certificates, and documents that must be submitted in Spanish or Portuguese. Work with a forwarder that knows the lane and speaks Spanish — it makes a real difference.

Incoterms: get them right

Many South American buyers ask for FOB; others prefer DDP for a total landed cost. Clarify early who handles customs clearance at each end — Brazilian and Argentine procedures are stricter than most, so a reliable destination partner is essential.

Why partner with a forwarder that knows this lane?

A small document error or a weak agent at destination can cost you weeks. That is why you need a partner with dedicated China–South America experience.

At Yitong International Freight Forwarding, we specialize in this lane, with routes to all five continents and a focus on South America, Australia & New Zealand, North America, and Africa. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Chinese — smooth communication from Shanghai to Santiago.