Peru has been a long-time partaker in global trade, with its exports of copper, gold, and agricultural products such as coffee and quinoa. With an expanding economy and diverse market demands, transporting goods to Peru provides profitable opportunities for wide-reaching commerce.
This blog post aims to discuss details about shipping goods to Peru including logistics, regulations, and note-worthy considerations for successful importation.
What are the Ways to ship to Peru?
Shipping containers to Peru can take different routes depending on the nature of your cargo. Transportation options are sea and air freight alongside railway transits.
Due to its reliability and cost-effectiveness, sea freight remains a favored mode of shipping goods to Peru. There are about 40 Peruvian ports, inclusive of seaports and river ports. Some of its major ports- Callao, Paita, Matarani, Salaverry and Iquitos – leave you with plenty of choices for importing goods.
For rush delivery, airfreight is a feasible alternative, but at a higher cost. Note that space in the air cargo is limited, meaning carefully planning the load and its contents is crucial to ensure efficient and well-managed delivery of your goods to Peru.
Indeed, coordinating with your shipping company or freight forwarder to help decide the most suitable trade routes and ports for your cargo is of utmost necessity.
What are the Main Ports in Peru?
Recorded history states that commercial trading in Peru has been abundant even in the early days as the country is situated along an extensive coastline. Peru’s ports are strategically placed to enable ease regarding trade operations so you can select the one closest to your intended destination.
Facilitating maritime trade, these ports serve as key gateways for goods entering and exiting Peru. Here are some of Peru’s key ports listed by tonnage:
| Port | Average Annual TEU’s |
| Port of Callao | 1,051,000 TEUs |
| Port of Paita | 300,000 TEUs |
| Port of Matarani | no available data |
| Port of Salaverry | 1900 TEUs |
| Port of Iquitos | no available data |
How much does it cost to ship a container to Peru?
Per shipping container, price ranges from $800 to $4,000 from countries like the United States and China. The wide margin of price is caused by differences in the shipment’s origin, container size, and the nature of the commodities being transported.
Container size is certainly a significant factor in shipping costs, with larger containers proportional to the rates because of increased weight and capacity. Hazardous cargo as well as other shipments needing specialized handling, incur additional fees.
Peruvian imports comprise a wide range of products, involving machinery, vehicles, electronics, and textiles, with the country’s annual imports totalling billions of dollars. We have gathered spot rates from major shipping companies to offer you a rough estimate of shipping costs to Peru:
| Country | 20ft | 40ft |
| China (Shanghai) | $ 1,550 | $3,850 |
| United States (New York) | $ 2,850 | $ 4,850 |
| Spain | € 2,500 | € 3,500 |
| Germany | € 2,500 | € 3,500 |
| Belgium | € 2,500 | € 3,500 |
What is the Transit Time when shipping to Peru?
Freight to Peru varies depending on the origin of the shipment, mode of transportation, weather conditions, shipping routes, and customs clearance processes.
Approximately 2 to 4 weeks is expected when shipping from the US and 4 to 6 weeks from both Asia and Europe to Peru by sea. On the other hand, airfreight shortens transit time to 5 to 10 days if the shipment is from the US and 7 to 14 days from Asia and Europe.
| Country | Days |
| China | 25 – 35 days |
| United States | 20 – 25 days |
| Spain | 30 – 32 days |
| Germany | 30 – 35 days |
| Belgium | 30 – 35 days |
What paperwork is needed for international shipments to Peru?
Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria, also known as SUNAT, requires the following for international shipments:
- Customs Merchandise Declaration (DAM)
- Commercial invoice
- Airway bill or bill of lading
- Packing list
- Insurance letter
- Phytosanitary Export Certificate
- CCVO
How do I find a freight forwarder in Peru
Whether you opt for sea or air freight, carefully assessing the business partner to trust in this endeavour will help streamline the process and ensure the smooth transportation of your goods to Peru.
Pangea is a reputable freight forwarder with connections in Peru that specializes in facilitating the shipment of all kinds of goods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the estimated transit time for shipping a container to Peru?
Approximately 4-6 weeks is the timeframe for shipment to Peru but transit time may differ based on multiple factors – shipping routes, origin and destination locations, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, traffic en route and congestion at ports.
- How do you figure out the shipping cost to Peru?
The main factors to consider in shipping costs are container size, nature of the cargo, weight and volume, distance and route, and fuel prices. If you are looking for accurate shipping estimates to Peru, you can consult with shipping carriers, freight forwarders, or logistics providers.
Conclusion
This blog post aims to answer your basic queries on shipping to Peru. For an in-depth discussion and further information on the matter, feel free to contact our extensive network of Pangea freight forwarders.
