The Americas · Sourcing guide
Sourcing chairs from China to Honduras
A container of chairs bound for Honduras spends roughly 25–38 days at sea before it reaches you. What it costs to get there — and what surprises buyers at customs — is below.
Puerto Cortés is Central America's deepest and busiest Caribbean port, which gives it better vessel frequency than its market size alone would justify — it also handles overflow trade for parts of El Salvador and Nicaragua. The domestic market is small and price-sensitive, and most consignments arrive via at least one transshipment hub in the Caribbean or Panama. CACM tariffs of 10–15% apply plus 15% sales tax; there is no China FTA. Four to six weeks from South China is typical.
The market, briefly
Puerto Cortés is Central America's largest Caribbean-side port and also serves part of El Salvador and Nicaragua's trade. The domestic market is small and price-driven. Routing usually involves at least one transshipment.
Landed cost: how to run the numbers
The full bill for Honduras stacks up as FOB + ocean freight and surcharges + duty + VAT/GST + port/clearance fees + the final inland leg. Buyers who budget only FOB and headline freight get caught the same way every time: on budget seating the remainder typically adds another 20–40% to the invoice.
A worked example (estimate)
Say you load a 40HC with 300 KD task chairs at $30 FOB — a $9,000 order. Using the midpoint of the 2026-H1 spot band ($4,700), ocean freight alone adds about $16 per chair before duty, VAT/GST, port fees and inland haulage. Run the same math at the top of the band before you budget: rate swings of this size are normal, not exceptional. Figures are illustrative — get live quotes.
For the underlying method, start with sea-freight budgeting, then Incoterms for chair buyers — and use container math when you plan the load.
Frequently asked
How long does shipping take from China to Honduras?
Port-to-port, count on 25–38 days into Puerto Cortés on the usual liner schedules. Caribbean services via transshipment (Kingston/Cartagena/Manzanillo MX) into Puerto Cortés. Booking lead time and clearance at both ends sit on top of that.
What does a 40ft container of chairs cost to ship to Honduras?
Public rate indices put the 2026-H1 spot band for this lane at roughly $2,800–$6,500 per 40ft/40HC. Treat that as an estimate rather than a quote, and budget surcharges, peak-season fees and the inland legs separately.
What import duty applies to chairs in Honduras?
CACM tariff puts most finished furniture around 10–15% plus 15% sales tax at import. Verify by subheading with a local broker. 15% ISV.
Which port should I route chairs through for Honduras?
Puerto Cortés is the usual gateway. Your forwarder's local coverage matters more than the port itself.
All freight, transit, duty and tax figures are generic planning estimates compiled by the editorial desk, marked as-of 2026-H1. Tariffs and VAT change frequently; always verify current rates with your freight forwarder and a licensed customs broker before quoting or committing. Rates as of 2026-H1.