The Port of San Antonio in Chile is the country's busiest container port and the main sea gateway for Santiago. In 2025 it handled 2,060,244 TEU and 23,855,311 tonnes, the first time a Chilean port passed 2 million TEU in a year. This guide covers the terminals, cargo types, Chilean customs at the port and how to ship there from Dubai, with Valparaiso as the alternative. We ship both ways: from Dubai to San Antonio and from San Antonio to Dubai.
Port of San Antonio Chile: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | Empresa Portuaria San Antonio (EPSA), state-owned |
| UN/LOCODE | CLSAI |
| Location | Valparaiso Region, on the central Pacific coast; road access to Santiago by Ruta 78 |
| Container terminals | San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI) and DP World San Antonio |
| Other terminals | Puerto Panul (clean bulk), Terquim (liquid bulk), QC Terminal Policarpo Toro (berth 9) |
| Containers handled in 2025 | 2,060,244 TEU |
| Total cargo in 2025 | 23,855,311 tonnes |
| Vessel calls in 2025 | 1,025 |
| Customs authority | Servicio Nacional de Aduanas (Chilean Customs) |
| Import taxes | 6% general duty on CIF, 19% IVA on CIF plus duty |
| Nearest alternative port | Valparaiso, to the north on the same coast |
| Shipping to Dubai | A Chilean customs agent presents the DUS export declaration; arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah |
Where is the Port of San Antonio and how does cargo reach Santiago?
San Antonio sits on Chile's central coast in the Valparaiso Region, west of Santiago. Most import cargo leaves the port by truck on Ruta 78, the motorway to the capital. DP World San Antonio also offers rail, with block trains and multi-user trains on direct rail access from its terminal.
Export trucks are managed through Alto San Antonio Transito (ASAT), a truck staging yard on the new port access road from Ruta 78. EPSA says ASAT reached full operation in 2025, can hold more than 300 trucks at once, and orders export trucks heading to the DP World and STI terminals. Drivers wait there until their entry is validated through the port's digital platform.
For an importer, the practical point is simple: plan the delivery leg from the port to your warehouse as a separate move with its own booking, and give your trucking company the terminal name early. STI and DP World are separate terminals with separate gates.
Which terminals does the Port of San Antonio have?
EPSA owns the port and grants concessions to private operators. Each one runs its own berths and handles different cargo.
| Terminal | Berths | Main cargo |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI) | Berths 1, 2 and 3, on a linear quay of almost one kilometre | Containers, plus dry, breakbulk and liquid bulk |
| DP World San Antonio | Berths 4, 5, 6, 7 and the Costanera quay | Containers, dry and liquid bulk, vehicles, breakbulk, project cargo, cruises |
| Puerto Panul | Berth 8, at the north terminal | Clean bulk for human and animal consumption: wheat, corn and soy |
| QC Terminal Policarpo Toro | Berth 9 | Port and logistics services |
| Terquim San Antonio | Liquid bulk terminal | Liquid bulk, operating since 1974 |
The STI container terminal
EPSA's profile of STI gives a transfer capacity of 1.6 million TEU a year, 8 ship-to-shore cranes and 8 RTG cranes, more than 72 terminal tractors and 31 reach stackers. It says STI is the only terminal in Chile able to work two neo-panamax vessels at the same time. STI has handled more than one million TEU a year for 14 years in a row up to 2024, and its concession runs to 2030. It recently added 27 new reefer towers.
The DP World multipurpose terminal
DP World received a 20-year concession in 2011 and lists a 700-metre berthing facility. It describes the terminal as multipurpose. Services listed by the operator include reefer handling and monitoring, container scanning and weighing, fumigation, IMDG dangerous goods handling, out-of-gauge project cargo, Ro-Ro facilities, car stuffing and de-stuffing in containers and rail connections.
What cargo can you ship through the Port of San Antonio?
San Antonio handles almost every cargo type. EPSA's 2025 figures show the split:
| Cargo type | 2025 volume |
|---|---|
| Containerised cargo | 18,199,722 tonnes (2,060,244 TEU) |
| Dry bulk | 4,195,405 tonnes |
| Liquid bulk | 915,662 tonnes |
| Breakbulk (carga fraccionada) | 544,522 tonnes |
| Vehicles discharged | 265,774 units |
| Total | 23,855,311 tonnes |
For cargo from Dubai, most shipments are containers of general goods, machinery, building materials, chemicals and consumer products. Vehicles and heavy pieces also come through, but check the vehicle import rules below before you book a car.
FCL and LCL shipping to San Antonio
Most cargo from Dubai to San Antonio moves in full containers. A 20ft suits dense, heavy goods. A 40ft or 40ft high cube suits lighter, bulkier goods. LCL is possible, but the cargo is consolidated in the UAE and deconsolidated in Chile, so your release depends on the other shipments in the box and on extra handling at both ends.
On a lane this long, LCL often makes sense only for small volumes. Once you are near half a container, compare it with FCL. Our sea freight service books both from Jebel Ali.
Breakbulk, vehicles and project cargo at San Antonio
San Antonio moved 544,522 tonnes of breakbulk and discharged 265,774 vehicles in 2025. DP World San Antonio handles breakbulk at the quay and lists out-of-gauge project cargo and Ro-Ro among its services, so heavy and oversized cargo has a home at the port.
For pieces that fit a flat rack or open top, a container service gives you more sailings. For larger units, you need a breakbulk or heavy-lift vessel, and the sailing date drives the plan. We collect drawings, weights and lifting points, agree lashing and stowage with the carrier, and plan the UAE road move to the quay. See our break bulk and project cargo service and our guide to flat rack, open top and out-of-gauge cargo.
Vehicles need a separate check. Chilean Customs lists used vehicles and used motorcycles among prohibited imports, with limited legal exceptions, so confirm the rules before you ship any vehicle that is not new.
Dangerous goods at the Port of San Antonio
DP World San Antonio lists IMDG dangerous goods handling among its terminal services. DG cargo to San Antonio must be classified, packed, marked and declared under the IMDG Code, and every carrier and transshipment port on the routing must accept it.
You need a correct UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group, a safety data sheet, a signed DG declaration and UN-approved packaging. On this lane, transshipment is where DG bookings most often get stuck. Our dangerous goods shipping team gets acceptance for the full routing before you commit to a sailing.
Customs clearance at the Port of San Antonio, Chile: documents, duty and IVA
Customs at San Antonio follows national rules set by the Servicio Nacional de Aduanas. The port does not have its own customs regime.
Who can clear cargo at San Antonio?
For commercial goods above US$1,000 FOB, Chilean Customs says the importer must hire a licensed agente de aduanas. The agent prepares the import declaration (Declaracion de Ingreso) from the importer's documents and can file it online. Goods up to US$1,000 invoiced can be cleared by the importer in person through a simplified procedure. We work with the consignee's customs agent or a clearing agent in Chile.
Which documents does Chilean Customs need?
| Document | When |
|---|---|
| Original bill of lading | Always; endorsing it to the agent is the mandate to clear |
| Original commercial invoice | Always |
| Importer's sworn price declaration | Always, on the agent's form |
| Packing list | Always for containerised goods |
| Certificate of origin | When claiming a trade agreement preference, such as the UAE-Chile CEPA |
| Insurance certificate and expense note | When insurance or costs are not on the invoice |
| Permits and approvals | For regulated goods, such as SAG checks on plant and animal products |
How much duty and IVA will you pay?
The general duty is 6% of the CIF value, and IVA is 19% of the CIF value plus duty. Chilean Customs' own example: on US$1,000 CIF, duty is US$60 and IVA US$201.40, a total of US$261.40. Used goods pay a 50% surcharge on the ad valorem duty, and some goods, such as alcoholic drinks, tobacco and luxury items, pay additional taxes.
Can UAE goods enter duty-free under the CEPA?
Possibly. The UAE-Chile CEPA entered into force internationally on 24 November 2025. SUBREI says Chile grants preferential access for about 99.5% of products imported from the UAE, 99% of them from entry into force. The preference needs a certificate of origin and applies only to goods that qualify as UAE origin. Goods made elsewhere and re-exported from Jebel Ali pay the duty for their real origin.
Wood packaging and SAG
All wood packaging on imports into Chile, including pallets, crates and dunnage, must comply with ISPM 15, under SAG Resolution No. 133 of 2005 and its amendments. SAG also verifies plant products on entry and allows animal products only through authorised ports. Use treated, stamped wood or plastic pallets for every San Antonio shipment.
Puerto Exterior: what the expansion means for shippers
EPSA is developing Puerto Exterior, a new outer port at San Antonio. The figures on EPSA's project page:
- Capacity of 6 million TEU a year, with up to 8 Post New Panamax vessels worked at once.
- Two terminals, called Mar and Tierra, each with 1,730 metres of berth, built in four stages as demand grows.
- A breakwater of about 4 km.
- A public-private investment of US$4,450 million.
The regional environmental commission has approved the project's environmental qualification. In 2026 EPSA signed a US$50 million CAF credit for enabling works and said the breakwater and enabling works would be tendered separately. No start date for operations is published, so for shipments planned today, the existing STI and DP World terminals are what you will use.
San Antonio or Valparaiso: which Chile port fits your cargo?
Valparaiso is the other port of central Chile and the main alternative to San Antonio. It handled 9,403,319 tonnes in 2025, of which 7,757,307 tonnes were containerised, so it is smaller than San Antonio but still a major container port. Its regular services include weekly container loops linking the west coast of South America with Asia, Central America and Northern Europe, plus seasonal reefer services and coastal breakbulk to Easter Island.
| Question | San Antonio | Valparaiso |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 cargo | 23,855,311 tonnes | 9,403,319 tonnes |
| Container terminals | STI and DP World | Terminal Pacifico Sur (TPS) and others |
| Vehicles and breakbulk | Large volumes in 2025 | Smaller volumes |
| Expansion | Puerto Exterior planned | Not covered here |
| Best choice when | Your carrier calls directly, or the cargo is heavy, out of gauge or a vehicle | Your carrier's loop calls Valparaiso and not San Antonio |
A simple rule: book to whichever port your carrier calls without an extra feeder leg. Both serve Santiago by road, so a direct call usually saves more time than the inland difference costs.
How to ship from Dubai to the Port of San Antonio: step by step
Shipping from Dubai to San Antonio starts at Jebel Ali. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers the export side there.
- Confirm the HS code, origin and any CEPA preference claim. Get the certificate of origin if the goods qualify.
- Ask the consignee to appoint a Chilean customs agent and check any SAG or other approvals.
- Send us the cargo details: weight, dimensions, packing, DG data if any, and the delivery address in Chile.
- We book space with a carrier calling San Antonio, confirm the transshipment port and get DG or out-of-gauge acceptance.
- We arrange trucking to Jebel Ali, the UAE export declaration and loading.
- We send the bill of lading, invoice, packing list and certificate of origin to the consignee and agent before arrival.
- The agent files the import declaration, pays duty and IVA, and arranges collection from STI or DP World.
Transit times on this lane vary widely by routing, and all services we know of include at least one transshipment.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers and transshipment hubs we actually use from Jebel Ali to San Antonio, and our typical port-to-port days]
How to ship from the Port of San Antonio to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from San Antonio to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Chilean export papers stay with the shipper or its Chilean agent.
The Chilean export side
- Export declaration. Chile uses the Documento Unico de Salida (DUS). Chilean Customs rules say it is prepared and presented by an authorised customs agent (despachador), except in listed cases such as goods with an FOB value up to US$2,000.
- Two stages. The first message, the DUS-AT, must be issued before the goods enter the port's primary zone, and its acceptance allows entry and shipment. The DUS-Legalizacion follows once all formalities are complete, and it becomes the customs declaration.
- Pickup. The shipper or its trucker delivers the box to STI or DP World San Antonio inside the carrier's receiving window.
The UAE import side
For cargo landing at Jebel Ali, the import declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading, a certificate of origin and any permit needed for restricted goods. Customs duty is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, and a VAT-registered importer can account for it on its VAT return. The UAE-Chile CEPA entered into force on 24 November 2025. Whether it lowers UAE duty on your Chilean goods depends on their HS code and origin, so check before you rely on it.
- Send us the shipper's details in San Antonio, the cargo, the HS code, the Incoterm and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space with a carrier from STI or DP World San Antonio and send the booking and cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker picks up the empty, stuffs it and delivers the box to the terminal before the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Chilean customs agent files the export declaration in the DUS.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before it is issued.
- We file the UAE customs declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order from the line.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside the free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from San Antonio to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
What happens when your container arrives at San Antonio?
Knowing the order of events at the port helps you see where a delay can start. This is the usual sequence for an FCL import:
| Stage | What happens | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Before arrival | The carrier lodges the cargo manifest; the importer sends documents to the customs agent | Carrier, importer, agent |
| Discharge | The vessel berths at STI or DP World and the container goes into the terminal yard | Terminal |
| Declaration | The agent files the Declaracion de Ingreso with the HS code, CIF value and any CEPA claim | Customs agent |
| Checks | Customs may review documents or inspect the goods; SAG checks regulated goods and wood packaging | Customs, SAG |
| Payment | Duty, IVA and any additional taxes are paid | Importer through the agent |
| Release and collection | The terminal releases the container to the importer's trucker for delivery | Terminal, trucker |
| Empty return | The empty container goes back to the carrier's depot within its free time | Trucker |
Most of the delay risk sits in the declaration and checks stages. If the certificate of origin, the packing list and the invoice all match, and the pallets are stamped, those stages usually move without trouble.
Preparing documents in the UAE for a San Antonio shipment
Most problems at the Chilean end start with paperwork made in Dubai. We prepare the shipping documents with you, but the commercial details come from the seller.
| Document | Prepared by | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Seller | Full goods description, unit prices, total value, Incoterm, consignee details |
| Packing list | Seller | Pieces, weights and dimensions match the cargo and the invoice |
| Bill of lading | Carrier, through us | Consignee and notify party are correct; port of discharge is San Antonio (CLSAI) |
| Certificate of origin | Issued for the exporter | CEPA format if you claim the preference; origin matches where the goods were made |
| DG declaration and SDS | Shipper, checked by us | UN number, class, packing group and emergency details are complete |
Send scans to the consignee's customs agent as soon as the bill of lading is issued. The agent can then check the HS code and origin claim while the cargo is still at sea, which is the cheapest time to fix an error.
Storage, free time and demurrage at San Antonio
Free time at the terminal and on the container depends on the carrier and the terminal contract, so confirm it on the booking. Delays on this lane usually come from a missing certificate of origin, an untreated pallet or a customs agent appointed late. Each extra day can add storage at the terminal and detention on the container. Our guide to demurrage and detention explains how those charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to San Antonio
- Carrier calls San Antonio directly, or you have agreed Valparaiso instead.
- Terminal (STI or DP World) known and passed to the trucker.
- Consignee's customs agent appointed before the vessel sails.
- HS code checked against Chile's tariff and the CEPA schedule.
- Certificate of origin ready if you claim CEPA rates.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading match each other.
- All wood packaging ISPM 15 treated and stamped.
- No prohibited goods, such as used tyres or used vehicles.
- DG acceptance for the whole routing, if relevant.
Common mistakes
- Searching for "San Antonio port" and getting Texas results. Use the port code CLSAI on all bookings and documents.
- Claiming CEPA rates on goods that are not UAE origin.
- Untreated wooden pallets, which fail SAG checks.
- Assuming a 25 to 30 day transit because a website said so, instead of reading the carrier's schedule.
- Booking a used vehicle without checking Chile's prohibition first.
- Leaving the customs agent appointment until arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What is the port code for San Antonio, Chile?
The UN/LOCODE is CLSAI. Use it on bookings and documents to avoid confusion with San Antonio in the United States.
Who runs the port at San Antonio?
Empresa Portuaria San Antonio (EPSA), a state-owned company, is the port authority. Container terminals are run by concession holders: San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI) and DP World San Antonio.
How many containers does San Antonio handle?
EPSA reports 2,060,244 TEU in 2025, the first year a Chilean port passed 2 million TEU. Total cargo was 23,855,311 tonnes.
What is the difference between San Antonio and Valparaiso?
Both serve central Chile and Santiago. San Antonio is larger, with 23,855,311 tonnes in 2025 against 9,403,319 tonnes at Valparaiso, and handles more vehicles and breakbulk. Choose the one your carrier calls directly.
What duty do I pay on goods imported through San Antonio?
The general duty is 6% of the CIF value, plus 19% IVA on the CIF value and duty. UAE-origin goods with a valid CEPA certificate of origin may pay lower or zero duty.
Do I need a customs agent at San Antonio?
Yes, for commercial goods above US$1,000 FOB. The agent prepares and files the import declaration.
Can San Antonio handle dangerous goods and project cargo?
Yes. DP World San Antonio lists IMDG dangerous goods handling, out-of-gauge project cargo and Ro-Ro among its services. Carrier acceptance is still needed for each booking.
What is the Puerto Exterior project?
It is EPSA's planned outer port at San Antonio, designed for 6 million TEU a year across two terminals with 1,730 metres of berth each. It has environmental approval, but no start date for operations is published.
How do I ship from Dubai to the Port of San Antonio?
We book space from Jebel Ali with a carrier calling San Antonio, handle UAE trucking and export clearance, and send the documents early. The consignee's Chilean customs agent files the import declaration and pays duty and IVA.
Can you ship cargo from San Antonio to Dubai?
Yes. The shipper's Chilean customs agent presents the DUS export declaration. We book the space, file the UAE declaration, arrange payment of the 5% duty and 5% VAT, and deliver from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah.
Get a quote for shipping to the Port of San Antonio
Send us your cargo details, the delivery address in Chile and the Incoterm, and we will come back with a routing and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, DG or CEPA question first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Puerto San Antonio (EPSA): Transfer figures 2025
- Puerto San Antonio (EPSA): Home and concessions
- EPSA: San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI)
- EPSA: DP World San Antonio
- EPSA: Puerto Panul
- EPSA: ASAT truck staging yard
- EPSA: Puerto Exterior San Antonio
- DP World San Antonio: Who we are
- DP World San Antonio: Port services
- Puerto Valparaiso: Statistics (2025 figures)
- Puerto Valparaiso: Services and shipping lines
- Puerto Valparaiso: Home (TPS)
- Chilean Customs: What do I need to do to import goods?
- Chilean Customs: How much tax do you pay on imports?
- Chilean Customs: Import FAQ (prohibited goods)
- Chilean Customs: CEPA Chile - UAE
- SUBREI: Chile - United Arab Emirates agreement
- SAG: Wood packaging (ISPM 15)
- SAG: Imports and transit
- Chilean Customs: Compendio de Normas, Capitulo 4, Salida de Mercancias (DUS)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% rate, import VAT)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026