International Freight Shipping To Central America

Q: What types of freight shipping services are available to Central America?

We offer a full range of freight services including Ocean freight (FCL, LCL, RORO, Breakbulk, LOLO) , and Air freight . The best option depends on your cargo type, budget, and delivery timeline.

Q: How long does shipping to Central America take?

Transit times vary by origin and destination. For example, ocean freight from U.S. East Coast ports to major hubs like Panama or Costa Rica usually takes 7–14 days , while air freight can take 1–3 days . Ground freight from Mexico to Central America generally takes 2–7 days depending on the country.

Q: What documents are required for shipping cargo to Central America?

Common documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and certificate of origin . Additional permits may be required depending on the cargo and destination country’s customs regulations.

Q: Do I need a customs broker to ship to Central America?

Yes. A licensed customs broker is essential to handle the clearance process and ensure your shipment complies with each country’s trade regulations. We can connect you with trusted brokers in the region.

Q: Can I ship vehicles or heavy equipment to Central America?

Absolutely. We specialize in RORO and containerized shipping for cars, trucks, buses, and heavy machinery. Our team helps you choose the best method and provides guidance on title, ownership, and customs requirements.

Q: What industries benefit most from shipping to Central America?

We serve a wide range of industries including manufacturing, retail, automotive, agriculture, oil & gas, construction, and consumer goods . Whether you are exporting machinery, raw materials, or finished products, we tailor solutions to your needs.

Q: How much does freight shipping to Central America cost?

Costs depend on the shipping mode, cargo weight & dimensions, origin, and destination . Ocean freight is generally the most cost-effective for large volumes, while air freight is faster but more expensive. We provide free, no-obligation freight quotes.

Q: Are there restrictions on what I can ship to Central America?

Yes. Each country has its own list of prohibited or restricted items , which may include hazardous materials, certain chemicals, firearms, and perishable goods without proper permits. Our experts will advise you on compliance before shipping.

Q: Can you handle door-to-door delivery in Central America?

Yes. We provide door-to-port, port-to-door, and full door-to-door services through our trusted network of carriers and logistics partners across Central America.

Shipping freight to Central America, whether for the first time or on a regular basis, can be a challenging experience. There are many elements to consider when shipping to a region such as Central America. Therefore, you should always hire a freight forwarding company that understands the local business culture, language, and customs regulations, and has a proven track record of success in shipping cargo to Central America.

Over the past 25 years, LAC has helped countless importers and exporters build stronger relationships with their clients by providing excellent logistics and freight forwarding services. Our experience, combined with our strong carrier network allow us to provice a full range of reliable & cost-effective shipping services.

With LAC, your cargo reaches any point in Central America safely, on time, and with complete peace of mind.

Ship entering port of Acajutla, El Salvador

Ocean Freight Shipping to Central America

Do you want to ship containers, heavy & oversized cargo, or commercial vehicles to Central America? We provide door-to-port, port-to-port, and door-to-door transportation services to all the major ports in Central America, such as Puerto Limon, Puerto Quetzal, Balboa, and Manzanillo.

In addition to standard ocean shipping solutions, we provide specialized transportation services for all kinds of cargo across different industries, including perishables, hazardous materials, or oversized shipments.

Container Shipping to Central America

● FCL – Full Container Load

We offer full container load shipping services to Central America in 20 ft and 40 ft containers. Should you require another type of equipment to handle the cargo, such as open-top containers, flat racks, reefers, or others, our specialized equipment division will offer you the best alternatives available.

► Learn more about our FCL Shipping Services

● LCL – Less Than Container Load

Our ocean consolidation service is the best solution if your shipment to Central America cannot fill an entire container. When using this service, the rate applicable is based on the volume of the cargo. Weight-based pricing applies, however, if the cargo exceeds the maximum permitted weight per cubic meter.

► Learn more about our LCL Shipping Services

RORO Shipping to Central America

Roll-On/Roll-Off is the cheapest and safest way to transport vehicles and heavy equipment to Central America. With RORO, your cargo is simply driven on and off a specific vessel, or towed using a modular transporter. Whatever the type and size of your wheeled or static cargo, we can ship it via RORO to Central America.

► Learn more about our RORO Services

Breakbulk Shipping to Central America

Breakbulk shipping is the best option when your freight is too large or too heavy to fit into standard containers. Our Breakbulk shippping division possesses the necessary experience to plan every detail proactively whenever you need to ship out-of-gauge cargo that must be loaded individually rather than in containers onto an ocean vessel.

► Learn more about our Breakbulk Services

Ship With Confidence, Ship with LAC

Our team of logistics experts is ready to optimize your supply chain and deliver seamless shipping solutions.

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Air Freight Shipping to Central America

Standard Air Freight Services to Central America

Thanks to our vast network of air freight carriers we offer daily and weekly departures to Central America’s major international airports. As part of our air freight solutions, we offer airport-to-airport, airport-to-door, and door-to-airport services.

We provide safe and reliable airfreight services to Central America for all your air transportation needs, including high-value and time-sensitive goods. We manage your shipments from start to finish, overseeing the entire logistics chain from the moment your cargo is picked up until it reaches its destination.

► Learn more about our Standard Air Freight Services

Air Cargo Charter Services to Central America

LAC’s air freight charter service is also the perfect solution if you need your freight exports to be transported quickly and cost-efficiently to Central America. Our part-charter and full-charter options give you peace of mind, allowing your goods to be transported safely to Central America from any airport in the world.

► Learn more about our Air Cargo Charter Services

What Makes LAC Your Ideal Logistics Partner?

Each country on every continent has its own laws, guidelines, customs regulations, documentation requirements, controlled and prohibited goods lists, communication norms, and cultural biases.

If you want to be successful when importing or exporting to Central America, you will need a logistics partner who knows the local business landscape and speaks the local language.

Our team of experts can provide you with cost-effective shipping rates as well as reliable freight forwarding services. You will be given expert shipping assessment, personalized customer support, and tracking management. The combination of our experience, skills, and local contacts guarantees that your goods will reach Central America quickly, safely, and worry-free.

In other words, as a specialized freight forwarder, we make it our mission to provide stress-free logistics services tailored to fit your needs when shipping to Central America.

Discover the LAC Advantage

Ship to Any Place in Central America

Whether you are shipping freight from the USA, Canada or Mexico, trust LAC for hassle-free logistics. Our unmatched experience and regional specialization makes us your most reliable partner when transporting goods to Central America from anywhere in the world.

Shipping to/from Belize

Shipping to/from Costa Rica

Shipping to/from El Salvador

Shipping to/from Guatemala

Shipping to/from Honduras

Shipping to/from Nicaragua

Shipping to/from Panama

Frequently Asked Questions About Freight Shipping to Central America

What types of freight shipping services are available to Central America?

We offer a full range of freight services including Ocean freight (FCL, LCL, RORO, Breakbulk, LOLO), and Air freight. The best option depends on your cargo type, budget, and delivery timeline.

How long does shipping to Central America take?

Transit times vary by origin and destination. For example, ocean freight from U.S. East Coast ports to major hubs like Panama or Costa Rica usually takes 7–14 days, while air freight can take 1–3 days. Ground freight from Mexico to Central America generally takes 2–7 days depending on the country.

What documents are required for shipping cargo to Central America?

Common documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and certificate of origin. Additional permits may be required depending on the cargo and destination country’s customs regulations.

Do I need a customs broker to ship to Central America?

Yes. A licensed customs broker is essential to handle the clearance process and ensure your shipment complies with each country’s trade regulations. We can connect you with trusted brokers in the region.

Can I ship vehicles or heavy equipment to Central America?

Absolutely. We specialize in RORO and containerized shipping for cars, trucks, buses, and heavy machinery. Our team helps you choose the best method and provides guidance on title, ownership, and customs requirements.

What industries benefit most from shipping to Central America?

We serve a wide range of industries including manufacturing, retail, automotive, agriculture, oil & gas, construction, and consumer goods. Whether you are exporting machinery, raw materials, or finished products, we tailor solutions to your needs.

How much does freight shipping to Central America cost?

Costs depend on the shipping mode, cargo weight & dimensions, origin, and destination. Ocean freight is generally the most cost-effective for large volumes, while air freight is faster but more expensive. We provide free, no-obligation freight quotes.

Are there restrictions on what I can ship to Central America?

Yes. Each country has its own list of prohibited or restricted items, which may include hazardous materials, certain chemicals, firearms, and perishable goods without proper permits. Our experts will advise you on compliance before shipping.

Can you handle door-to-door delivery in Central America?

Yes. We provide door-to-port, port-to-door, and full door-to-door services through our trusted network of carriers and logistics partners across Central America.