Exporting Copper from the USA to Latin America: Ports & Logistics
For Latin American copper buyers, a Miami supplier is close to home — and that changes the economics. From Port Everglades, transit to most Latin American ports is a matter of days, not weeks, which means lower freight, faster inventory turns, and simpler logistics than sourcing from Asia. Here's how the USA → Latin America copper route works.
The Miami advantage
South Florida is the natural gateway between the US scrap supply and Latin American industry. Short sea legs to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the northern coast of South America mean container-grade copper reaches buyers quickly and at lower freight cost than long-haul routes. For a manufacturer or refiner managing working capital, faster turns are a real, ongoing edge.
Key markets and ports
- Mexico — cable, wire, and rod manufacturers; ports at Veracruz and Altamira on the Gulf.
- Colombia — Cartagena and Barranquilla, serving industrial buyers inland.
- Dominican Republic & Caribbean — Caucedo (Santo Domingo) and regional ports; very short transit from Miami.
- Central America — Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomás), and neighbouring manufacturing zones.
Incoterms, order size & pricing
| Item | Standard |
|---|---|
| Default Incoterm | FOB Port Everglades (CFR / CIF to a Latin American port on request) |
| Minimum export order | 5 × 20ft containers (≈110–120 MT depending on grade) |
| Transit from Miami | Typically days to most Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American ports |
| Pricing basis | LME copper less a transparent grade-based margin, volume tiers apply |
| Payment (new relationships) | Irrevocable Letter of Credit or agreed deposit + balance |
Confirm current import rules
Each country sets its own scrap-import documentation and duty rules, and several have trade-agreement provisions with the USA that can affect duties. Treat this as orientation — confirm the current requirements and any preferential duty with your customs broker or the buyer's clearing agent.
Grades Latin American buyers ask for
Demand is strongest for mill berry (ISRI Barley) and No.2 copper (Birch/Cliff), insulated cable priced on recoverable content, plus LME Grade A cathode for cable and rod mills. See the Mill Berry vs Birch/Cliff comparison, the copper grades guide, and how to buy copper for export.
Buying copper from a Miami supplier?
Get a landed quote to your nominated Latin American port — short transit, container-grade volume.
Get an Export QuoteFrequently asked questions
Why buy copper from Miami instead of Asia?
Transit from Port Everglades to most Latin American ports is days rather than weeks, which lowers freight cost and speeds inventory turns — a meaningful advantage for buyers managing working capital.
What is the minimum order?
5 × 20ft containers (≈110–120 MT depending on grade), shipped FOB Port Everglades or CFR/CIF to a nominated port.
Which ports do you ship to?
Veracruz and Altamira (Mexico), Cartagena and Barranquilla (Colombia), Caucedo (Dominican Republic), Puerto Quetzal and Santo Tomás (Guatemala), and other regional ports on request.
How is the price set?
Against the LME copper price, less a transparent grade-based margin, with volume tiers. Freight and insurance are added for CFR/CIF terms.