September Freight Update | Freight Rates to South America Are Rising Sharply

If you are planning shipments from China to South America for the upcoming sales season, freight cost is something worth looking at now — not later.

Since mid-August, freight rates on the Shenzhen–South America route have increased significantly, driven by:

???? Peak-season demand for Easter and Christmas promotions

???? Congestion at Shenzhen ports

???? Limited vessel space and equipment availability

Currently, freight rates have exceeded USD 8,000/40HQ on some Shenzhen–South America routes.

For importers and distributors, this means that waiting until the last minute to arrange freight could bring additional uncertainty to the landed cost and project budget.

???? Two ways to manage freight uncertainty

Option A — Market Rate

Book closer to the shipment date based on the prevailing market rate.

Option B — Fixed / Capped Rate

Explore a fixed-rate or capped-rate arrangement for an agreed shipment window, subject to carrier availability and space confirmation.

The second option may not always be the cheapest, but it can provide better cost visibility and budget certainty for seasonal purchasing plans.

???? Our suggestion

If you already have Q4 / Christmas promotion orders in planning, it may be worthwhile to:

✅ Confirm product quantities earlier

✅ Review your expected shipment window

✅ Compare current freight levels with your target landed cost

✅ Evaluate whether freight should be booked at market rate or under a fixed/capped arrangement

Freight is not just a logistics cost — it is part of your purchasing strategy.

If you are planning shipments from China to Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia or other South American markets, we are happy to discuss the freight options and help you evaluate the potential cost impact.

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