The India–Latin America trade corridor.
From Mexico to Argentina, Guyana to Chile: trade agreements, routes and transit times, import rules, duties, regulators and documents for every major market, written by a customs broker who has lived and studied in Brazil.
Pick your market
Where Indian goods get lower duty
| Agreement | Countries | Status |
|---|---|---|
| India–Mercosur PTA Preferential trade agreement | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay | In force since 2009 (about 450 lines each side). Talks to expand it launched September 2026. |
| India–Chile PTA Preferential trade agreement | Chile | In force since 2007, expanded in 2017. A full CEPA is in advanced negotiation; India aims to conclude in 2026. |
| India–Peru Trade Agreement Agreement under negotiation | Peru | In advanced negotiation; both sides aim to conclude in 2026. Not yet in force. |
| Mexico tariff increase No agreement (MFN duties) | Mexico | From January 2026, tariffs of up to 50% on about 1,400 lines from countries without a trade agreement with Mexico, India included. |
| Everyone else No agreement (MFN duties) | Colombia, Ecuador, Central America, Caribbean and others | No agreement with India: Most Favoured Nation duties apply. Central America shares a common tariff; CARICOM members share the Common External Tariff. |
To claim agreement rates you need the correct certificate of origin for that agreement, issued by an authorised agency. Ask us which applies to your product.
How cargo gets from India to Latin America
| Trade lane | Main ports | Transit (indicative) | How it routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Coast South America | Santos, Paranaguá, Rio Grande, Buenos Aires, Montevideo | 30–45 days | Direct services from Nhava Sheva / Mundra around the Cape, or via Colombo / Singapore |
| West Coast South America | Callao, Chancay, San Antonio, Guayaquil, Buenaventura | 40–55 days | Transhipment in Asia then across the Pacific, or via Panama |
| Mexico Pacific | Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas | 35–45 days | Transhipment in Asia then across the Pacific |
| Mexico Gulf, Caribbean & Central America | Veracruz, Altamira, Cartagena, Colón, Caucedo, Kingston, Puerto Cortés | 30–50 days | Via the Mediterranean or the Cape, with Caribbean hub transhipment |
| Guyana & Suriname | Georgetown, Paramaribo | 40–55 days | Feeder from Port of Spain, Kingston or Caucedo |
| Air (all countries) | São Paulo, Mexico City, Bogotá, Santiago, Lima and others | 3–8 days | Via the Gulf (Dubai, Doha), Addis Ababa or Europe |
Written by YAM Logistics from our own experience and public sources, checked November 2026. Duties, taxes, permits and trade agreements change often: treat rates and transit times as indicative and confirm them for your HS code and shipment before you quote or ship. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice.
We don't just ship to Latin America. We know it.
Our director, Razi Zaheer, studied at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) in Rio de Janeiro and lived in Brazil for two years. He understands how business is done in the region: the paperwork, the pace and the relationships.
Combined with a customs broker licence held since 1992 and partner agents across Latin America, that means one team handles your shipment from the factory in India to the door in São Paulo, Santiago or Mexico City, and back.
Partner with YAM →Questions people ask
Which Latin American countries have a trade agreement with India?+
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay through the India–Mercosur PTA, and Chile through the India–Chile PTA. A deal with Peru and a wider agreement with Chile are being negotiated, and talks to expand the Mercosur PTA started in September 2026. All other countries apply normal (MFN) duties to Indian goods.
How long does sea freight from India to South America take?+
Roughly 30–45 days to the east coast (Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo), 40–55 days to the west coast (Callao, San Antonio, Guayaquil), and 30–50 days to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, depending on transhipment.
What do Indian exporters sell most to Latin America?+
Vehicles and motorcycles, chemicals and agrochemicals, machinery, pharmaceuticals, textiles and yarn, and petroleum products. India buys gold, crude oil, soybean and sunflower oil, copper concentrate and sugar.
Did Mexico raise tariffs on Indian goods?+
Yes. From January 2026 Mexico raised tariffs on about 1,400 tariff lines from countries without a trade agreement with it, including India, to rates of up to 50%. Vehicles, auto parts, steel, textiles and machinery are the most affected.
Can YAM handle shipments door to door in Latin America?+
Yes. YAM handles export clearance and freight from India, and our partner agents handle destination clearance and delivery across Latin America. We do the same in reverse for imports into India.