Contents of this article
- Why Paraguay ships through other countries’ ports
- The full journey: from Asuncion to Rotterdam step by step
- Full container or groupage: which one to choose
- What gets shipped from Paraguay to the Netherlands
- Real transit times and costs in 2026
- Paperwork and customs: what you need to prepare
- Why work with Portex Logistics
Logistics Context
Why Paraguay ships through other countries’ ports
Paraguay has no access to the sea. It is one of only two landlocked countries in South America, alongside Bolivia. That does not stop it from exporting millions of tonnes every year, but it does mean that everything going by ship to Rotterdam must first travel by river to ports in Argentina, Uruguay or Brazil.
The Paraguay River and the Parana River are the main exit channels: over 3,400 km of navigable waterway connecting Asuncion to the South Atlantic ports. This is the only way to move cargo in volume out of the country, and understanding how this first leg works is key to planning your shipment well.
Shipping Process
The full journey: from Asuncion to Rotterdam step by step
Your container always follows the same five-step logic. Knowing each stage helps you plan ahead, prepare the right documents and avoid costly storage charges or port delays.
Pickup in Paraguay
The container is loaded at your warehouse, plant or grain facility. A freight agent coordinates road transport to the river terminal in Asuncion or Ciudad del Este.
Asuncion / Ciudad del EsteRiver transport to the ocean port
The cargo travels by barge along the Paraguay and Parana rivers to the international shipping port. This leg takes between 5 and 12 days depending on water levels and the destination port.
Paraguay and Parana RiversOcean departure port
The container arrives at one of the three main ports serving Paraguay: Buenos Aires, Montevideo or Paranagua. Here it is loaded onto the vessel bound for Rotterdam.
Buenos Aires / Montevideo / ParanaguaThe vessel crosses the Atlantic
The container ship sails from the South Atlantic toward Europe. The ocean leg from these ports to Rotterdam takes between 18 and 25 days, depending on whether the vessel calls at other European ports along the way.
South Atlantic – Northern EuropeArrival and delivery in Rotterdam
The container arrives at the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest. Portex handles customs clearance, any required health inspections, and final delivery within the Netherlands or anywhere in Europe.
Port of Rotterdam – NetherlandsShipping Options
Full container or groupage: which one to choose
The most important decision you need to make is whether to book a full container (FCL) or share space with other cargo (LCL / groupage). It mainly depends on your shipment volume. Here is the direct comparison for shipping from Paraguay to the Netherlands:
Bilateral Trade
What gets shipped from Paraguay to the Netherlands
Paraguay closed 2025 with exports exceeding USD 11 billion. The European Union – with Rotterdam as the main entry point – is a fast-growing destination, especially for agricultural and agro-industrial products. These are the main goods moving in containers on this route:
Soy and derivatives
Paraguay’s top export: USD 2.348 billion in 2025. Soybeans, soy oil and soy meal are all shipped. Rotterdam is Europe’s largest entry point for soy.
Beef
With USD 1.913 billion exported in 2025, the 2026 EU-Mercosur deal expands tariff-free quotas into Europe. Ships in refrigerated containers.
Chia and natural foods
Paraguay exported USD 194 million in chia in 2025. Europe is a premium market for these products, with strong organic and certified demand.
Corn and rice
Corn (USD 543M) and rice (USD 352M) are high-volume bulk shipments. The EU imports large volumes of corn each season and part comes through Rotterdam.
Cables and industrial parts
Paraguay’s industrial sector exports cables and auto parts worth USD 366M. The Netherlands is an ideal entry point for European manufacturers.
Imports from the Netherlands
In the other direction: agricultural machinery, technology, chemicals and European consumer goods enter Paraguay via Rotterdam destined for Asuncion.
Shipment Planning
Real transit times and costs in 2026
The following figures are 2026 estimates for shipping from Paraguay to the Netherlands, based on current market conditions. Prices vary depending on the carrier, cargo type and spot rates at the time of booking.
| Stage of the journey | Estimated time | Cost reference |
|---|---|---|
| Truck to river terminal in Paraguay | 1 – 3 days | Based on distance |
| Barge to ocean departure port | 5 – 12 days | Included in freight rate |
| Port waiting and operations | 3 – 7 days | Variable |
| Ocean freight to Rotterdam | 18 – 25 days | – |
| Customs clearance and delivery Rotterdam | 1 – 3 days | Included in Portex service |
| TOTAL (door to door) | 30 – 50 days | Based on route and cargo type |
Customs and Documentation
Paperwork and customs: what you need to prepare
Incorrect or incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays and extra costs when shipping from Paraguay to the Netherlands. Paraguay applies import tariffs of 15% to 45% on the total value of goods, plus VAT. On the destination side, Dutch customs requires full compliance with EU import regulations.
Documents required to export from Paraguay to the Netherlands
Bill of Lading (BL)
The primary shipping document, issued by the carrier. Without it, cargo cannot be released in Rotterdam.
Commercial invoice and packing list
Must accurately reflect the contents, value and HS customs code for each product. Errors here cause holds at the border.
Certificate of origin
Required to access EU-Mercosur preferential tariffs. Issued by the chamber of commerce or REDIEX in Paraguay.
Sanitary certificates (SENACSA)
Mandatory for meat, food and agricultural products. The EU requires veterinary and phytosanitary certification depending on what you ship.
Import declaration (SAD/DUA)
The formal declaration to Dutch customs. Portex manages this directly as an AEO certified operator, which speeds up clearance.
Cargo insurance
Not legally required, but strongly recommended. A shipment that goes through multiple river, port and ocean transfers carries more risk than a direct route.
Operating base
Rotterdam
Europe’s largest port, direct gateway from Paraguay
Certification
AEO Certified
Fewer inspections, faster clearance in Rotterdam
Coverage
Door to door
We manage the full chain from Asuncion to your warehouse
Special cargo
Reefer and OOG
Refrigerated containers and oversized cargo
Languages
EN / ES / NL
We serve Paraguayan exporters in Spanish, English and Dutch
Services for this route
Ready to ship from Paraguay to the Netherlands?
Our team in Rotterdam responds in English, Spanish and Dutch. No-obligation quote within 24 hours.
📞 +31 10 501 51 30
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping from Paraguay to the Netherlands: FAQs
