Shipping to Bolivia: Landlocked Routing via Chile & Peru Explained
Bolivia has no coastline, so every import arrives through a Pacific port in Chile or Peru and an Andean overland leg. Here is how the routing, free zones, and duty/VAT actually work.
Seaway Project Cargo Team
Project Cargo & Heavy-Lift Specialists
Bolivia is one of South America's two landlocked markets, which makes routing — not just duty — the defining factor in cost and transit time. Get the gateway and overland leg right and Bolivia is very accessible; get it wrong and cargo sits.
How cargo reaches Bolivia
There is no Bolivian seaport. Imports route through Pacific gateways and then overland:
- Arica or Iquique (Chile) then overland across the Andes
- Ilo (Peru) as an alternative Pacific gateway
- The Iquique free zone (ZOFRI) is a common staging hub — goods sit duty/VAT-free in the zone before the final leg into Bolivia
A typical lane runs Savannah to Arica/Iquique, then overland to Bolivia — around 30-45 days all in.
Duty and VAT
| Charge | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Import tariff | By HS code | Confirm classification |
| VAT (IVA) | 13% | One of the lower regional rates |
| Other | Specific consumption tax (ICE) + customs charges | Varies |
Source: Aduana Nacional de Bolivia, last verified June 2026. Estimate the VAT portion in the Import Duty & Tax Estimator.
Used-vehicle rule
Used vehicles must generally be under 5 years old. Because of the overland leg, plan for Andean pass conditions (winter weather June-August can affect mountain routes).
Getting it right
- Choose the gateway (Arica, Iquique, or Ilo) based on your final destination in Bolivia and current border conditions.
- Use ZOFRI staging where it helps with consolidation and duty deferral.
- For machinery and project cargo, the Chile guide and ZOFRI route are closely linked — see also our Chile import guide.
Full detail is in the Bolivia shipping guide. To plan a multimodal move, request a quote with your destination city.
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