RORO and container · Updated October 2026
Vehicle Shipping from the USA to Ecuador and Chile
Shipping a standard car from the USA to San Antonio, Chile or Manta, Ecuador by RORO typically costs US$1,570–2,050 in sea freight, or US$4,430–6,520 for a motorhome, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add US$400 for export documents and US port fees, US$350 fumigation for Chile, and import costs of about US$500–1,200.
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Standard car, RORO, USA to San Antonio or Manta
from US$1,570
Typical range US$1,570–2,050 · Confirmed with your sailing
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Car from
US$1,570 sea freight (RORO)
US departures
Baltimore, Galveston, Long Beach, Tacoma
Arrivals
San Antonio, Chile; Manta, Ecuador
Export documents
Original US title, free of any lien
Export documents and US port fees
US$400
Fumigation for Chile
US$350 per vehicle
Import costs
About US$500–1,200, by size and carrier
Book ahead
4 months to 3 weeks before sailing
RORO prices by vehicle
Typical RORO sea freight from Baltimore or Galveston to San Antonio or Manta, including BAF, LSL and bill of lading, based on IVSS quotes for this route in the last 90 days (rates October 2026). Tacoma and Long Beach cost more. US export fees and import costs are extra (see below).
| Vehicle | Typical sea freight | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Car (saloon/hatchback) | US$1,570 – 2,050 | Get a quote |
| 4x4 / SUV | US$2,380 – 3,190 | Get a quote |
| Van | US$2,660 – 4,840 | Get a quote |
| Campervan / motorhome | US$4,430 – 6,520 | Get a quote |
| 4x4 camper / overlander | US$3,180 – 5,550 | Get a quote |
| Expedition truck | US$6,810 – 10,260 | Get a quote |
Why are you shipping your vehicle to Chile or Ecuador?
Touring / Overlanding
Start on the Pacific coast
Ship to San Antonio or Manta and explore the Andes and Patagonia.
Read moreReturning to Chile
Bring your vehicle home
Chileans returning after 18 months abroad can import one vehicle.
Read moreClassic and collector cars
Check the rules first
Used vehicle imports are restricted; we check your vehicle before you ship.
Read moreTrade and business
Trucks, projects and plant
RORO from four US ports, charged by the cubic metre for oversized units.
Read moreEntry rules
Temporary entry, permanent import and transfer of residence in Chile and Ecuador
Touring vehicles enter Chile and Ecuador on a temporary permit linked to your immigration stay. Permanent imports of used vehicles are restricted.
| Option | Who it is for | Duty and tax | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary entry, Chile (visitors and tourists) | Travellers with their own vehicle, or one they are authorised to drive | None. The permit lasts for the stay immigration grants you and can be extended | Passport, immigration entry, registration or notarised authorisation, and the temporary entry form |
| Temporary entry, Ecuador (visitors and tourists) | Foreign tourists | None. The permit lasts for the stay immigration grants you | Passport stamped by immigration, driving licence, registration and migration card. Arranged before the vehicle enters, including at Manta |
| Permanent import, Chile | People keeping a vehicle in Chile | Only new vehicles may be imported, except in cases listed in Law 18.483 | Ask us before you ship |
| Permanent import, Ecuador | People keeping a vehicle in Ecuador | Not possible for a used car: Ecuador only allows new vehicles of the current or next model year. Exceptions are returning Ecuadorian migrants and returning diplomats. | Returning Ecuadorian migrants may bring one car no more than four model years old. Customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker. |
| Returning resident, Chile | Chileans returning after at least 18 months living abroad | 6% customs duty and 19% VAT on the customs value; motorhomes pay an extra 15% | One vehicle, imported within 120 days of your return, with a three-way catalyst. It cannot be sold or leased for 3 years (5 for trucks) |
| Transfer of residence | Foreigners moving to Chile or Ecuador | Chile: no relief for a used vehicle outside the cases in Law 18.483. Ecuador: foreigners cannot bring a car or motorcycle as household goods, and used vehicle imports are banned. | Ask us before you ship |
A temporarily imported vehicle must leave before its permit ends. Ecuador requires the tourist declaration to be carried while driving and the vehicle to be checked out when you leave.
Official sources: Chilean Customs: permit for temporary entry of vehicles · Chilean Customs: vehicle imports by Chileans returning permanently · SENAE Ecuador: authorisation for a tourist vehicle · COMEX Resolución 51 (vehicle imports, Ecuador) · SENAE Resolución SENAE-SENAE-2024-0083-RE (household goods)
Customs clearance is through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker. Rules change; we confirm them for your vehicle before you ship.
Touring / Overlanding
Starting a trip in Chile or Ecuador
San Antonio and Manta are the Pacific gateways for a South American trip. No carnet de passages is needed; your vehicle enters on a temporary permit.
What you need
- Original US title, free of any lien, for US export
- Passport and driving licence
- Liability insurance, such as MERCOSUR cover
- An address and phone number in the USA and at arrival
Before you ship
- Book 4 months to 3 weeks before sailing
- Clean the vehicle; vehicles to Chile are fumigated
- Empty gas bottles and declare any lithium batteries
- Declare any motorbike carried on the vehicle
MERCOSUR insurance
Liability cover for Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Peru and Bolivia costs about US$200–240 for 6 months.
Inspections in Chile
Chile now inspects more private vehicles. If yours is selected, expect about US$300–400 extra.
Shipping home
When your trip ends we ship from South America to the USA, Europe and South Africa.
Paperwork
Export from the USA and arrival in Chile or Ecuador
Paperwork starts before the ship leaves. Our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker can handle clearance on arrival.
- US export
- Send us the original US title, free of any lien. US Customs must receive it at least 72 hours before export. AES filing, documents and port fees cost US$400.
- Port escort
- US ports require an escort when you deliver the vehicle, usually US$50–125.
- Arrival
- Import costs in Manta or San Antonio are about US$500–1,200, by size, weight and carrier. Larger trucks can cost more.
- Second vehicle on board
- A motorbike carried on or in the vehicle adds import fees. Tell us before you book.
Trade and business
For dealers, projects and businesses
We ship vehicles, trucks and equipment from the USA to Chile and Ecuador for businesses as well as travellers, subject to local import rules.
RORO
From Baltimore, Galveston, Long Beach and Tacoma to San Antonio and Manta. Oversized units are charged by the cubic metre.
Height
Rates for vehicles up to 2.15m high may need confirming with the carrier; taller units are quoted by volume.
Other routes
We also ship from the USA to Colombia, Argentina and Uruguay, and from Chile back to the USA and Europe.
Price match
Already have a valid quotation? We will do our best to match or beat it.
Sailing schedules
Live schedules from the carriers we book with. Dates move; we confirm yours at booking.
USA to Chile and Ecuador
RORO
Next sailing: Clover Ace from Brunswick on 9 Nov 2026, arriving San Antonio on 27 Dec 2026 (48 days). About 3 sailings a month. Updated 5 Nov 2026.
Calls at Manta and San Antonio
| Vessel | From | Departs | Manta | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Ace | Brunswick | 9 Nov 2026 | 2 Jan 2027 | 27 Dec 2026 |
| Morning Courier | New York | 13 Nov 2026 | 25 Nov 2026 | – |
| Clover Ace | Baltimore | 16 Nov 2026 | 2 Jan 2027 | 27 Dec 2026 |
| Morning Champion | Galveston | 16 Dec 2026 | 23 Dec 2026 | – |
- Clover AceFrom Brunswick 9 Nov → San Antonio 27 Dec · 48 days
- Clover AceFrom Brunswick 9 Nov → Manta 2 Jan · 54 days
- Morning CourierFrom New York 13 Nov → Manta 25 Nov · 12 days
- Clover AceFrom Baltimore 16 Nov → San Antonio 27 Dec · 41 days
- Clover AceFrom Baltimore 16 Nov → Manta 2 Jan · 47 days
- Morning ChampionFrom Galveston 16 Dec → Manta 23 Dec · 7 days
Schedule as at 5 Nov 2026. Dates are the carriers' estimates and can change; we confirm yours when you book.
Why customers ship with IVSS
Advice you can use
Temporary and permanent import, paperwork and insurance, explained before you book.
Trusted agents only
We only use agents we know, which avoids surprise costs.
Kept informed
We update you at every stage, from booking to collection.
We have done it ourselves
We have shipped our own vehicle around the world.
How shipping from the USA works
Book 4–8 weeks ahead. We handle the booking and paperwork, and help with customs.
1
Get a quote
Fill in the 2-minute form for instant pricing.
2
Book your sailing
We confirm the carrier, date and port delivery instructions.
3
Prepare
Clean the vehicle, remove loose items, send your registration document and passport copy.
4
Drop off
At the terminal, normally 4–7 days before sailing.
5
Sea crossing
We track the vessel and keep you updated until arrival.
6
Clearance and collection
Customs is cleared by our broker, a local agent or your own; collection is normally 2–3 working days after arrival.
Marine insurance for the crossing
Your road insurance does not cover the sea crossing. We arrange All Risks marine insurance from the departure port to the arrival port, with or without a condition survey.
Motorhomes, expedition trucks and 4x4 campers: when insured through us, personal items inside the vehicle are covered up to €15,000, where your route allows belongings in the vehicle.
- Insured value up to €25,000€200 single trip, €400 multi-trip
- Insured value up to €50,000€300 single trip, €600 multi-trip
- Insured value up to €100,000€425 single trip, €850 multi-trip
- Higher values, up to €1,000,000In bands, shown on your quote; above that, ask us
Excess €500 per claim. Cover is subject to the insurer's policy wording, which we send with your booking confirmation. Damage, theft and claims
Questions about shipping from the USA
How much does it cost to ship a car from the USA to Chile or Ecuador?
RORO sea freight for a standard car typically costs US$1,570–2,050, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Add US$400 export fees, US$350 fumigation for Chile and about US$500–1,200 in import costs.
What documents do I need to export a vehicle from the USA?
The original US title, free of any lien, plus your passport. US Customs must have the title at least 72 hours before the vehicle is exported, so send it to us in good time.
Which US port is cheapest?
Baltimore and Galveston cost the same and are usually cheapest. Tacoma and Long Beach on the West Coast cost more.
Can I bring my vehicle into Chile or Ecuador as a tourist?
Yes. Both countries let a tourist's vehicle in temporarily for the stay immigration grants you. In Ecuador the permit must be arranged before the vehicle enters. See the entry rules table above.
Can I import a used car permanently to Chile?
Generally no. Chile only allows used vehicles in listed cases, such as Chileans returning home after 18 months or more abroad.
Can you insure my vehicle to Ecuador?
We cannot insure cargo going to Ecuador. We can arrange marine insurance to Chile.
Related routes and guides
Member of
IVSS is a member of BIFA, the British International Freight Association, and FIATA, the international federation of freight forwarders.
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