Air or sea freight from China? Cost and days calculator

How we work it out

Air: we multiply length, width and height in cm and divide by 6,000. That gives the volume weight (volumetric weight). You pay for the higher of that weight and the actual weight. We add the Santiago airport warehouse for pickup before day 4.
Shared container: you pay per m³ or per ton, whichever is higher. We add documents, dispatch and 3 days of storage at the port. We do not count a minimum per shipment unless you enter one. Container just for you: freight plus the shipping line's charges in Chile.
Days: from when your cargo is ready in China to your warehouse. By sea we add waiting for the sailing, the voyage, port, customs and truck. The voyage comes from schedules published by shipping lines. These are market references, not official lead times.

Watch out for this

Couriers calculate differently: they divide by 5,000, not by 6,000. The same box weighs 20% more for them.
By air, pick up your cargo before day 4. From then on the warehouse charges storage, based on what your cargo is worth on arrival in Chile and the days. At Depocargo, on day 4 or 5 you pay 0.39%, and then it goes up. There, batteries and other dangerous goods pay 85% more up to day 3. From day 4, they pay double.
Before you choose, ask whether your forwarder charges a minimum per shipment for a shared container. On small loads, that minimum can change the result. If it does, enter it in your rates.

Questions

Up to how many kilos is air freight worth it?

With this tool's reference rates, air is cheaper only up to about 30 kilos. If your cargo is light and bulky, the volume weight counts. Above that, sharing a container costs less. If your forwarder charges a minimum per shipment for a shared container, the cutoff goes up. Enter your data and see.

Why am I charged for more kilos than my cargo weighs?

Because air freight also charges for the space you take. Multiply length, width and height in cm and divide by 6,000. That is the volume weight (volumetric weight). You pay for the higher of that number and the actual weight. For a 60 × 50 × 40 cm box you pay for 20 kilos, even if it weighs 15.

How much does air freight cost per kilo from China?

One freight forwarder published US$ 11.30 per kilo for October 2026. It does not say whether that includes surcharges, such as fuel and security. There is no public index for China to Chile. Ask for your quote, because it changes with the weight and the month.

Does air freight also count for taxes?

Yes, freight counts. It adds to what your cargo is worth on arrival in Chile (customs calls it CIF). It works the same by air and by sea. From China, almost everything enters with 0% import duty. For that you need the paper that proves where it was made (certificate of origin). Some products do not get that cut and pay 6%. The 19% VAT applies either way, and it goes up if freight costs more.

Can I ship part by air and the rest by sea?

Yes. Many importers bring the urgent part by air and the rest by sea. That way you don't pay air freight for everything or run out of stock. Work out each part separately with this tool.

What SICE does

SICE coordinates your import with its network of freight forwarders, customs brokers, transport companies and insurers.

Sources

Updated on October 22, 2026

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