The timeline for importing from China to Chile varies dramatically depending on shipping method, production complexity, and customs procedures. This comprehensive guide breaks down every phase of the import journey with realistic timeframes, variables, and strategies to optimize speed.
The Quick Answer
Minimum Timeline (Expedited): 21-31 days
- Air freight express: 2-4 days shipping + 1-3 days customs = 3-7 days international + 2-3 weeks prior coordination
Standard Timeline (Maritime): 60-90 days
- Sea freight: 35-45 days shipping + 2-7 days customs + 2-6 weeks pre-shipment coordination
Realistic Timeline (Most Importers): 80-120 days
- Includes supplier vetting, sample validation, production, shipping, and customs clearance
Complete Import Timeline: Breaking Down Each Phase
Phase 1: Pre-Import Coordination and Supplier Selection (2-6 Weeks)
This phase begins when you first decide to import and ends when you have a confirmed order.
Week 1-2: Supplier Vetting and Contact
- Activity: Identify 5-7 potential suppliers on Alibaba, request quotations, verify Gold Supplier status, check company history
- Duration: 7-14 days
- Why It Takes This Long: Suppliers respond within 12-24 hours; you need time to compare quotes, verify certifications, and assess credibility
Week 2-4: Sample Ordering and Validation
- Activity: Order samples from top 2-3 candidates; samples ship via express; validate quality against expectations
- Duration: 14-21 days
- Supplier response + sample preparation: 3-5 days
- Express shipment (DHL/FedEx): 5-7 days
- Your inspection and decision: 3-5 days
- Why It Takes This Long: Express shipping is fast, but supplier coordination and your validation require time
Week 5-6: Negotiation and Order Confirmation
- Activity: Finalize specifications, pricing, lead time, and payment terms; confirm Trade Assurance is active
- Duration: 7-14 days
- Why It Takes This Long: Email communication across time zones (China is 16 hours ahead of Chile); written confirmation needed before commitment
Phase 1 Total: 14-42 days (2-6 weeks)
Phase 2: Production (4-6 Weeks)
This phase begins when the supplier receives your 30% advance payment and ends when the goods are ready to ship.
Production Timeline Breakdown
Standard Timeline:
| Production Stage | Duration | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Order confirmation & setup | 2-3 days | Supplier confirms with factory; materials ordered |
| Material procurement | 3-7 days | Raw materials and components sourced and delivered to factory |
| Production start to 50% complete | 5-8 days | Assembly begins; half of order finished |
| 50% to 75% complete | 3-5 days | Production accelerates; third-party inspections conducted |
| 75% to 100% complete | 3-5 days | Final assembly, packaging, quality checks |
| QC inspection & packing | 2-3 days | Final quality verification; goods boxed and palletized |
| Warehouse holding (await payment) | 2-5 days | Final 70% payment due; goods held at factory warehouse |
| Total Production Duration | 20-36 days | Typical range: 25-30 days |
Important: Production timelines vary significantly by product:
- Simple products (phone cases, t-shirts): 15-20 days
- Standard products (electronics, gadgets): 25-35 days
- Complex products (appliances, custom manufacturing): 35-50 days
- Seasonal surge periods (September-November for holiday goods): Add 5-15 days
Phase 2 Total: 20-50 days (3-7 weeks)
Phase 3: Shipping (Variable by Method)
This phase begins when goods leave the factory/warehouse and ends when they arrive at the Chilean port or airport.
Maritime (Sea Freight) – Most Common for Importers
LCL (Less Than Container Load) – Recommended for first imports
| Stage | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Factory to warehouse | 1-2 days | Goods transported to freight forwarder’s warehouse |
| Consolidation & documentation | 2-3 days | Your shipment consolidated with other shipments; bills of lading prepared |
| Port loading | 1-3 days | Consolidated container moves to Shanghai/Ningbo port; loaded onto vessel |
| Port clearance (China) | 1-2 days | Chinese customs procedures |
| Transit to Chile | 35-45 days | Port-to-port transit time (Shanghai → Valparaíso/San Antonio) |
| Arrival & port holding | 1-2 days | Vessel arrives; goods unloaded |
| Desconsolidation | 2-3 days | Your shipment separated from consolidated container |
| Total Maritime Timeline | 43-60 days | Typical: 45-50 days |
FCL (Full Container Load) – For larger orders (15+ CBM)
| Stage | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Container pickup & loading | 1-2 days | Empty container transported to factory; goods loaded |
| Port handling & clearance | 2-3 days | Chinese customs & port procedures |
| Transit to Chile | 35-45 days | Shanghai → Valparaíso/San Antonio (slightly faster than LCL) |
| Arrival & unloading | 1-3 days | Port procedures; container unloaded |
| Total FCL Timeline | 39-53 days | Typical: 40-45 days |
Seasonal Factors Affecting Maritime Timeline:
| Period | Typical Delays | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-Feb (Summer) | Minimal | Normal operations; moderate volumes |
| Mar-Apr | +2-3 days average | Increasing volumes; early holiday planning |
| May-Aug (Winter) | Minimal | Lower demand; faster processing |
| Sep-Oct | +5-10 days | Peak pre-holiday restocking; port congestion highest |
| Nov-Dec | +7-15 days | Maximum congestion; shipping lines overbooked; delays common |
| CNY (Jan 29, 2026) | +10-20 days | Chinese New Year shutdown; factory closures; port slowdowns |
Current Situation (January 2026):
- Port of Valparaíso average wait time: 3.4 days (normal)
- Port of San Antonio: Comparable conditions
- Port congestion risk: Moderate (elevated due to peak season aftermath)
- Forecast: Congestion expected to normalize in February-March
Air Freight – For Urgent Shipments
| Stage | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Factory to airport warehouse | 1-2 days | Goods transported to airfreight forwarder |
| Export documentation (China) | 1 day | Chinese customs export clearance |
| Airport handling & loading | 1-2 days | Goods loaded onto aircraft |
| Flight transit | 5-7 days | Shanghai/Guangzhou → Santiago (SCL) |
| Airport handling (Chile) | 1 day | Unloading and initial processing |
| Total Air Freight Timeline | 9-13 days | Typical: 10-12 days |
Cost Premium: Air freight is $9-10/kg vs. sea freight at $100-150/CBM. For typical imports (50-200kg), air freight costs 5-8x more than sea but saves 30-35 days.
Express Couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) – For Small Packages
| Stage | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup to dispatch | 1 day | Package collected and prepared |
| International transit | 2-4 days | Door-to-door service |
| Customs clearance | 1-2 days | Simplified for express packages |
| Delivery | 1 day | Final delivery to your address |
| Total Express Timeline | 5-8 days | Suitable only for packages <100kg |
Cost Premium: $10-15/kg (most expensive option); rarely used for commercial imports.
Phase 3 Total (Maritime): 43-60 days (6-9 weeks)
Phase 3 Total (Air): 9-13 days (1-2 weeks)
Phase 4: Customs Clearance in Chile (2-7 Days, Longer if Issues)
This phase begins when your cargo arrives at the Chilean port/airport and ends when you receive customs release and can retrieve goods.
Standard Customs Clearance (No Inspection Required)
| Step | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Port notification & arrival | 1 day | Freight forwarder receives notice that cargo arrived |
| DIN filing (Import declaration) | 1 day | Customs broker submits electronic DIN via SICEX system |
| Documentary review | 1-2 days | Customs verifies invoice, B/L, packing list, HS codes match documentation |
| Duty calculation & payment | 1-2 days | You pay arancel + IVA to Chilean Treasury; broker coordinates payment |
| Release notification | 1 day | Customs releases goods; broker notifies you |
| Total Clearance (Standard) | 3-5 days | Typical with complete, accurate documentation |
Physical Inspection Scenario (Goods Are Physically Opened)
| Step | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Documentary review | 1-2 days | Customs flags goods for physical inspection (random or risk-based) |
| Scheduling inspection | 1-2 days | Port or airport schedules inspection appointment |
| Physical inspection | 1-3 days | Customs agents open sample boxes, verify contents, count units |
| Reclassification (if needed) | 2-3 days | If HS code is wrong, customs reclassifies; duty recalculation |
| Additional duty payment | 1-2 days | If reclassification results in higher duties, payment required |
| Final release | 1 day | Goods released after all issues resolved |
| Total Clearance (With Inspection) | 5-12 days | Longer if reclassification or disputes occur |
Risk Factors Triggering Physical Inspection:
- Inconsistent documentation (value discrepancies between invoice and B/L)
- Missing or incorrect HS codes (triggering reclassification)
- Missing Certificate of Origin (FTA claim verification needed)
- Undervaluation suspicion (goods priced abnormally low)
- Random sampling (customs randomly inspects ~10-15% of shipments)
Common Delays and How to Avoid Them:
| Delay Type | Duration Added | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Documentation inconsistencies | +2-5 days | Triple-check all values, descriptions, signatures before shipment |
| Missing Certificate of Origin | +1-3 days | Request COO from supplier 48 hours after shipment confirmation |
| Wrong HS code | +3-5 days | Verify HS code with customs broker before importing |
| Physical inspection | +3-7 days | Ensure complete, accurate documentation to minimize inspection risk |
| Tariff dispute/reclassification | +5-10 days | Verify correct tariff rate with broker; request formal ruling if uncertain |
Phase 4 Total (Standard): 3-5 days
Phase 4 Total (With Inspection): 5-12 days
Phase 5: Post-Clearance Retrieval and Delivery (2-7 Days)
This phase begins after customs release and ends when goods arrive at your location.
From Port to Your Warehouse
| Step | Duration | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Goods movement from port | 1-2 days | Goods released from customs; transported from port to warehouse or your location |
| Desconsolidation (if LCL) | 2-3 days | If your shipment was consolidated, it’s separated and prepared for pickup |
| Local transport | 1-3 days | Goods transported from consolidation warehouse to your final address |
| Final delivery & inspection | 1 day | Goods delivered; you receive and verify contents |
| Total Retrieval Phase | 2-7 days | Varies by distance and shipping arrangements |
Note: If you’ve arranged door-to-door service (CIF terms), the freight forwarder handles all post-clearance logistics. If FOB terms, you arrange your own local transport.
Phase 5 Total: 2-7 days
Complete End-to-End Timeline: By Scenario
Scenario 1: Standard Import (Maritime LCL) – Most Common
Detailed Breakdown:
| Phase | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-6 | Supplier vetting, samples, negotiation | 42 days |
| Week 7-11 | Production | 30 days |
| Week 12-19 | Shipping (maritime) | 50 days |
| Week 20-21 | Customs clearance | 5 days |
| Week 21-22 | Retrieval & delivery | 3 days |
| TOTAL | Order placement to inventory ready for sale | ~130 days (4.3 months) |
Timeline Visualization:
Timeline: Standard Maritime Import (Jan 26, 2026 start date)
Week 1-6: ████ (Supplier vetting & samples)
Week 7-11: █████ (Production)
Week 12-19: ████████ (Shipping - Maritime)
Week 20-21: ██ (Customs)
Week 21-22: ██ (Delivery)
START: Jan 26, 2026
INVENTORY READY: ~Jun 5, 2026 (130 days)
Scenario 2: Expedited Import (Air Freight)
Detailed Breakdown:
| Phase | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-4 | Supplier vetting, samples, negotiation | 28 days |
| Week 5-8 | Production (same as maritime) | 28 days |
| Week 9-10 | Shipping (air freight) | 11 days |
| Week 11 | Customs clearance | 4 days |
| Week 11-12 | Retrieval & delivery | 2 days |
| TOTAL | Order placement to inventory ready for sale | ~73 days (2.3 months) |
Timeline Visualization:
Timeline: Expedited Air Freight Import (Jan 26, 2026 start date)
Week 1-4: ████ (Supplier vetting & samples)
Week 5-8: ████ (Production)
Week 9-10: ██ (Shipping - Air)
Week 11: ██ (Customs)
Week 11-12: ██ (Delivery)
START: Jan 26, 2026
INVENTORY READY: ~Apr 9, 2026 (73 days)
SAVINGS: 57 days vs. maritime (BUT costs $800-2,000 MORE)
Scenario 3: Peak Season (Sep-Oct) Maritime Import
Detailed Breakdown:
| Phase | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-6 | Supplier vetting, samples, negotiation | 42 days |
| Week 7-11 | Production (peak season +7 days delay) | 37 days |
| Week 12-22 | Shipping (maritime + 10-day congestion buffer) | 60 days |
| Week 23-24 | Customs clearance (slower during peak) | 7 days |
| Week 24-25 | Retrieval & delivery | 4 days |
| TOTAL | Order placement to inventory ready for sale | ~150 days (5 months) |
Impact Analysis: Peak season adds 20 days to timeline vs. off-peak (winter) imports.
Variables Affecting Import Timeline
1. Production Complexity
| Product Type | Lead Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Simple items (accessories, cases) | 15-20 days | Minimal assembly; available components |
| Standard products (electronics, gadgets) | 25-35 days | Multi-step assembly; quality checks |
| Custom/complex items | 40-60+ days | Custom molds, tooling, multiple components |
| Products with labels/branding | Add 5-10 days | Custom printing; requires proofs |
2. Shipping Method
- Maritime LCL: 45-50 days (+ 2-3 weeks consolidation/deconsolidation)
- Maritime FCL: 40-45 days
- Air Freight: 10-12 days (+ 1-2 days origin/destination handling)
- Express Courier: 5-8 days (limited to small packages)
3. Seasonal Factors
| Season | Typical Delays | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Jan-Feb | Minimal | Post-holiday recovery; manageable volumes |
| Mar-Apr | +2-3 days | Growing volumes; normal operations |
| May-Aug | Minimal | Slow season; fastest processing |
| Sep-Oct | +5-10 days | Peak demand; port congestion highest |
| Nov-Dec | +10-20 days | Maximum congestion; holiday rush |
| CNY (Late Jan) | +10-20 days | Shutdowns; factory closures |
2026 Note: Chinese New Year is January 29, 2026. Imports with shipment dates Feb 1-15 will face delays.
4. Documentation Accuracy
- Perfect documentation: 3-5 days customs clearance
- Minor inconsistencies: +1-2 days
- Significant errors (missing COO, wrong HS code): +3-7 days
- Physical inspection required: +5-12 days
5. Port Congestion
Current Status (January 2026):
- Valparaíso: 3.4 days average wait time (normal)
- San Antonio: Comparable conditions
- Forecast: Expect normalization Feb-March; peak season (Sep-Oct) adds 5-15 days
6. Customs Processing Capacity
- Standard goods with clear documentation: 1-3 days
- Goods requiring special permits (food, pharma): +5-10 days
- Physical inspections: +3-7 days
Timeline Optimization Strategies
For Fastest Possible Delivery (Under 90 Days)
- Use air freight: Save 30-35 days vs. maritime (-$800-2,000 cost premium)
- Prepare all documentation in advance: Prevent customs delays; provide COO before arrival
- Choose simple, unregulated products: Avoid ISP/SAG/SEC requirements (add 2-4 weeks)
- Order during off-peak season: Avoid Sep-Oct; schedule imports for May-August
- Work with experienced broker: Reduces reclassification risk and delays
- Negotiate fast production: Some suppliers can compress 25 days to 18-20 days (minor cost premium)
For Cost-Optimized Delivery (3-4 Months)
- Use maritime FCL or LCL: $2,500-3,500 total shipping cost vs. $10,000+ for air
- Order 6-8 months before needed sale date: Build buffer for unexpected delays
- Validate demand before full import: Pre-sell 20-50 units to confirm market interest
- Choose established suppliers: Reduces production delays from quality issues
- Build 10-15% time buffer into projections: Accounts for unexpected delays
Real-World Timeline Examples
Example 1: Phone Case and Accessory Bundle
Goal: Import for summer (Dec 2025) holiday season in Chile
Reality: Too Late (Import would arrive Jun 2026)
| Phase | Realistic Duration |
|---|---|
| Supplier vetting | 3 weeks (rushing) |
| Production | 3 weeks |
| Shipping | 6 weeks maritime |
| Customs | 1 week |
| Total | 13 weeks = arrival Jun 2026 |
| Lesson: Needed to order by early August 2025 to hit Dec 2025 holiday season |
Example 2: LED Smart Home Lights
Goal: Import for winter (Jun 2026) season in Chile
Realistic Timeline (January 26, 2026 start):
| Phase | Duration | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier vetting & samples | Feb 6 | 11 days |
| Production | Feb 28 | 22 days |
| Shipping (maritime) | Apr 18 | 50 days |
| Customs | Apr 23 | 5 days |
| Retrieval & delivery | Apr 26 | 3 days |
| Arrival date: | Apr 26, 2026 | 90 days |
Market Positioning: Winter peak demand (Jun 15-Aug 31). With April arrival, you have 6+ weeks to build inventory and marketing before peak season. On-target timing.
Example 3: Wireless Earbuds (Air Freight)
Goal: Urgent import to meet demand surge
Realistic Timeline:
| Phase | Duration | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier vetting & samples | Feb 6 | 11 days (rushed) |
| Production | Feb 28 | 22 days |
| Shipping (air freight) | Mar 9 | 9 days |
| Customs | Mar 13 | 4 days |
| Retrieval & delivery | Mar 15 | 2 days |
| Arrival date: | Mar 15, 2026 | 48 days |
Trade-off: 42 days faster than maritime but cost premium of $1,200-1,800.
Contingency Planning: What If Delays Occur?
Realistic Delay Scenarios
Scenario A: Production Delay (+10 days)
- Cause: Quality issues forcing rework; supply chain disruption
- Impact: Total timeline extends to 140 days instead of 130
- Prevention: Choose suppliers with 5+ years history; conduct pre-production inspections
Scenario B: Shipping Delay (+15 days)
- Cause: Typhoon season; port congestion; equipment shortage
- Impact: Total timeline extends to 145 days
- Prevention: Monitor weather forecasts; book freight 4 weeks early; have contingency warehouse space
Scenario C: Customs Inspection (+7 days)
- Cause: Physical inspection triggered; HS code query
- Impact: Total timeline extends to 137 days
- Prevention: Verify HS codes with broker; ensure documentation consistency; provide Certificate of Origin
Scenario D: Multiple Delays (All Above Occur)
- Total impact: 140 + 15 + 7 = +32 days
- New timeline: 162 days (~5.4 months)
- Lesson: Plan for worst-case; expect 5-month cycles for maritime imports
Summary: How Long Does It Really Take?
Quick answer by scenario:
| Import Type | Best Case | Typical Case | Worst Case | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maritime (LCL) | 70 days | 110 days | 150+ days | Cost-conscious; standard products |
| Maritime (FCL) | 65 days | 105 days | 145+ days | Large orders (15+ CBM) |
| Air Freight | 40 days | 73 days | 120 days | Urgent needs; high-value goods |
| Express Courier | 20 days | 30 days | 60 days | Emergency small shipments only |
Realistic planning recommendation: Budget for 4 months (120 days) for maritime and 2.5 months (75 days) for air freight when planning product launches or seasonal sales. Build in 10-15% time buffer for unexpected delays.
The most common mistake importers make is underestimating timelines. A supplier who says “30-day production” often means 30 days plus 2-3 weeks additional from order confirmation to production start. Maritime shipping takes 35-45 days port-to-port, but add 2-3 weeks for consolidation and deconsolidation. Customs clears in 3-5 days if documentation is perfect, but physical inspections can extend this to 12 days. Only by accounting for all phases—and building realistic buffers—do importers avoid the “cargo arrived before I was ready to receive it” or “I missed the holiday season deadline” surprises that plague less experienced importers.