foto de un dalmata preguntandose los tipos de contenedores y sus tiempos de llegada desde china a sudamerica

Container Types and Shipping Times to South America

September 9, 2025

When importing from China , choosing the right container can help you save on logistics costs and ensure the proper transportation of your cargo. Below, we show you the most commonly used types of containers in international trade and their main uses:

1- 20' Dry Container (Standard)

- Use: General dry cargo

- Capacity: ~33 m³

- Ideal for: heavy or smaller loads

2- 40' Dry Container (Standard)

- Use: General dry cargo in large volumes

- Capacity: ~67 m³

- More profitable per m³ compared to the 20'

3- 40' High Cube Container

- Use: Bulky loads

- Capacity: ~76 m³

- It is 30 cm taller than the standard

4- Refrigerated Container (Reefer) 20' or 40'

- Use: Perishable products such as food or medicines

- Maintains temperature between -25°C and +25°C

🚢 Estimated Ocean Transit Times from China

These are the estimated average times from major ports in China (such as Ningbo, Shenzhen, or Shanghai) to the busiest ports in South America:

Country	Main Port	Estimated Time (days)
Ecuador	Guayaquil	35–40 days
Peru	Callao	35–45 days
Colombia	Buenaventura / Cartagena	45–50 days
Chili	San Antonio / Valparaíso	35–45 days
Argentina	Buenos Aires	45–55 days
Brazil	Saints	40–55 days

⚠️ Note: Times may vary depending on season, port congestion, and weather conditions.

📦 What factors influence container selection?

- Volume and weight of the load

- Product type (perishable, bulky, fragile)

- Freight cost per CBM

- Required delivery time

- Cargo consolidation (LCL) vs. full load (FCL)

📄 Related documentation

When importing, make sure your cargo is accompanied by the following documents:

- Commercial invoice (CI)

- Packing List (PL)

- Bill of Lading (BL)

- Certificate of Origin (CO)

✅ Conclusion

Knowing the types of containers and estimated shipping times allows you to plan your imports more accurately, optimize costs, and meet delivery times. Always consult with your freight forwarder or supplier to choose the best option.

📢 Disclaimer: All shipping times and capacities mentioned are standard estimates and may vary depending on external factors such as demand, congestion, or shipping lanes. Use this information as a guide.