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Shipping machinery from the U.S. to South America

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Shipping machinery from the U.S. to South America

NYK’s RoRo ships load at Baltimore, Jacksonville and Newark for Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru and at Freeport, Texas for Brazil and Argentina, while Colombia’s Caribbean ports are a week or so from Jacksonville.

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days, Baltimore to Santos on NYK’s listed sailings[1]
16–19
days, Jacksonville to Callao through the Panama Canal[1]
10
days, Freeport, Texas to Zárate, Argentina[2]
25–31
heaviest piece NYK accepts for transshipment to the west coast on its North–South service[2]
66,100 lb30,000 kg

How U.S. cargo reaches South America

NYK runs most of the U.S. RoRo sailings to South America on the schedules we track. Its MSX ships load at Baltimore, Jacksonville and Newark for Suape, Santos and Zárate and go on to San Antonio, Iquique and Callao; from Baltimore, Santos took 16 to 19 days[1]. Its USCX ship crosses the Panama Canal instead and reached Callao 10 days after leaving Jacksonville[1].

From the Gulf, NYK’s North–South service loads at Freeport, Texas for Vitória, Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá and Zárate, which took 25 to 31 days[2]. Colombia’s Caribbean ports are closer: a Höegh ship from Jacksonville reached Santa Marta in 7 to 9 days and Cartagena in 8 to 10[3]. Grimaldi’s West Africa ships also carry U.S. cargo to Brazil, but New York to Santos took 31 to 35 days on that rotation[4].

Guayaquil had no direct U.S. RoRo call on these schedules, so machinery for Ecuador goes by flat rack or container, or by RoRo with a change of ship.

Published sailings from the U.S.

Each column is one carrier service. Days run from the ship’s call at the U.S. port shown to its arrival, across the voyages the schedule listed when we checked it.

Map of U.S. load ports and destination portsU.S. load ports: Freeport, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Newark. Ports with a direct sailing: Cartagena, Santa Marta, Suape, Vitória, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranaguá, Zárate, San Antonio, Iquique, Callao. Ports without one: Guayaquil.FreeportJacksonvilleBaltimoreNewarkCartagenaSanta MartaSuapeVitóriaRio de JaneiroSantosParanaguáZárateSan AntonioIquiqueCallaoGuayaquil
Solid line: RoRo serviceDashed line: container serviceOpen circle: no direct U.S. sailingSchematic. Port positions are approximate and lines show which ports a service links, not the ship’s track. Land: Natural Earth.
Published sailings from the U.S.
Destination portNYK RORO[1]MSXRoRoNYK RORO[1]USCX (via the Panama Canal)RoRoNYK RORO[2]North–SouthRoRoHöegh Autoliners[3]Jacksonville – Colombia – PanamaRoRo
Loads atBaltimore, Jacksonville, Newark, Davisville (RI)Baltimore, Jacksonville, NewarkFreeportJacksonville
CartagenaNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
  • 8–10 days from Jacksonville
Santa MartaNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
  • 7–9 days from Jacksonville
Suape
  • 11–12 days from Jacksonville
  • 13–15 days from Baltimore
  • 16–18 days from Newark
No direct callNo direct callNo direct call
VitóriaNo direct callNo direct call
  • 18–24 days from Freeport
No direct call
Rio de JaneiroNo direct callNo direct call
  • 19–26 days from Freeport
No direct call
Santos
  • 14–16 days from Jacksonville
  • 16–19 days from Baltimore
  • 19–22 days from Newark
No direct callNo direct callNo direct call
ParanaguáNo direct callNo direct call
  • 21–25 days from Freeport
No direct call
Zárate
  • 18–20 days from Jacksonville
  • 20–23 days from Baltimore
  • 23–26 days from Newark
No direct call
  • 25–31 days from Freeport
No direct call
San Antonio
  • 28–32 days from Jacksonville
  • 30–35 days from Baltimore
  • 33–38 days from Newark
  • 16 days from Jacksonville
  • 19 days from Baltimore
  • 21 days from Newark
No direct callNo direct call
Iquique
  • 32–36 days from Jacksonville
  • 34–39 days from Baltimore
  • 13 days from Jacksonville
  • 16 days from Baltimore
  • 18 days from Newark
No direct callNo direct call
Callao
  • 34–40 days from Jacksonville
  • 36–43 days from Baltimore
  • 39–46 days from Newark
  • 10 days from Jacksonville
  • 13 days from Baltimore
  • 15 days from Newark
No direct callNo direct call
GuayaquilNo direct callNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
  • NYK RORO: Calls the east coast of South America first and goes on to Chile and Peru. Used cargo for Chile is not accepted at Davisville or at the Newark and Red Hook terminals, and two of the ships take no U.S. cargo for the west coast.
  • NYK RORO: One voyage was listed when we checked. The ship calls Manzanillo, Panama, and crosses the canal to the west coast.
  • NYK RORO: The only Gulf Coast load port among these services. Cargo over 66,100 lb (30 t) is not accepted for transshipment to the west coast of South America.
  • Höegh Autoliners: About one voyage a month on the vessel schedule when we checked.

Which method for which machine

Shipping methods to South America compared
MethodUse it whenAvoid it when
RoRoThe machine drives or tows and is going to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru or Colombia on the RoRo services above.The destination is Ecuador, with no direct RoRo call, or a used machine for Chile can only reach a load port that does not accept it.
Flat rackThe machine is wider or taller than a container door but within a flat rack’s payload, and a container line serves the port.The load is concentrated on a short footprint: the carrier reduces the rated payload when the weight does not spread over the floor.
ContainerThe machine fits through a 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) wide door, as most compact equipment does, or can be taken apart to fit.Taking it apart costs more than the flat rack or RoRo premium, or the buyer cannot reassemble it at destination.
BreakbulkA single piece is beyond flat rack and roll trailer limits, such as a mill component or a mining truck frame.A RoRo sailing can take the piece on a roll trailer, which avoids lifting at both ends.

Import rules by country

Duty, VAT and other charges as recorded in our country guides, with the authority that publishes them and the month we checked. Some countries in the region restrict or ban used machinery and vehicles, so the country guide is checked before the machine is sold. Duty on machinery follows its HS code and is confirmed before the machine ships.

Import rules by country
CountryImport dutyVATOther chargesPublished by
BrazilII ≈35% (CIF); machinery 0–14% (Ex-Tarifário may reduce to 0%)ICMS 17–22% (state) + PIS/COFINS ≈9.25%IPI varies by engine/fuel; AFRMM merchant-marine freight surcharge appliesReceita Federal / CAMEXchecked June 2026
ArgentinaMercosur CET (≈35% on extra-zone cars); machinery variesIVA 21%Internal taxes, statistical fee, and import licensing applyAduana / ARCA (Argentina)checked June 2026
Chile6% of CIF; 0% for qualifying US-origin goods under the US–Chile FTAIVA 19%An engine-displacement / luxury surcharge can apply to certain vehiclesServicio Nacional de Aduanas / SIIchecked June 2026
Peru≈9% ad valoremIGV 18%Selective consumption tax ≈30% on used vehicles; 5% perception; pre-shipment inspectionSUNAT (Peru) / Decreto Legislativo 843checked June 2026
ColombiaImport tariff on new vehicles (confirm by HS code)IVA 19%Vehicles 35+ years (classic) / 50+ years may qualify under collector rulesDIAN (Colombia) / Andean Communitychecked June 2026
EcuadorImport tariff by type (confirm by HS code)IVA 15%Special consumption tax (ICE); import licensing/quotas may applySENAE (Ecuador)checked June 2026
UruguayMercosur CET / tariff by type (confirm by HS code)IVA 22%Registration charges on first registrationDirección Nacional de Aduanas (Uruguay)checked June 2026

U.S. export rules that apply on this lane

Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.[6][5][7]

Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[8][7]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

SOLAS verified gross mass (VGM)IMO

Since 1 July 2016 the shipper must give a signed verified gross mass for each packed container, found by weighing the packed unit or by adding the weighed cargo, lashing and dunnage to the container tare. The carrier needs it before the stowage plan is drawn up; without it the container is not loaded.[9]

Applies to: Every packed container, flat rack and open top

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[10]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

Planning a sailing

Chile has extra loading limits. On NYK’s schedule used cargo for Chile is not accepted at Davisville or at the Newark and Red Hook terminals, and two of the MSX ships take no U.S. cargo for the west coast[1]. On the North–South service, cargo over 66,100 lb (30 t) is not accepted for transshipment to the west coast[2].

A used machine needs its AES filing 72 hours before export[5], so it should reach the terminal with its title or bill of sale before that window opens.

Questions about shipping to South America

How long does shipping take from the U.S. to Brazil?

On NYK’s MSX sailings, Jacksonville to Santos took 14 to 16 days and Baltimore to Santos 16 to 19. From Freeport, Texas, the North–South service reached Rio de Janeiro in 19 to 26 days.

Is it faster to ship to Chile through the Panama Canal?

Yes, on the published sailings. NYK’s USCX ship, which crosses the canal, was listed at 16 days from Jacksonville to San Antonio; the MSX ships, which call Brazil and Argentina first, took 28 to 32. USCX had one voyage listed, so most sailings to Chile run the longer way.

Can a used machine for Chile load in New York or New Jersey?

Not at the Newark or Red Hook terminals on NYK’s schedule, which do not accept used cargo for Chile. Baltimore and Jacksonville do.

Countries We Serve in South America

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.

  1. [1]NYK RORO, MSX/USCX schedule: U.S. East Coast to South America (week 42, 16 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  2. [2]NYK RORO, North–South loop schedule: U.S. Gulf, Mexico, Panama and East Coast South America (week 42, 16 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  3. [3]Höegh Autoliners, Sailing schedule by vessel (as listed 18 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  4. [4]Grimaldi Lines, North America – West Africa Service schedule (published 16 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  5. [5]U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Exporting used self-propelled vehicles, checked October 18, 2026
  6. [6]eCFR, 19 CFR 192.1 Definitions (used self-propelled vehicles), checked October 18, 2026
  7. [7]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
  8. [8]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
  9. [9]IMO, SOLAS verified gross mass requirement enters into force (1 July 2016), checked October 18, 2026
  10. [10]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026

Send us the machine and the destination

Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.

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