Airline overview
Peruvian subsidiary of the LATAM group
LATAM Perú is legally named Lan Perú S.A., with IATA code LP and ICAO code LPE. It is the Peruvian subsidiary of LATAM Airlines Group, the largest airline group in South America, which operates domestic routes in 5 countries, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and international routes within Latin America and to Europe, the United States, Oceania, Africa and the Caribbean. Its website is latamairlines.com.
The Lima hub
LATAM Perú is hubbed at Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport. Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru and one of the air hubs of the South American west coast. The LATAM group ranks Lima alongside Miami as one of its 2 main hubs. From Lima, LATAM Perú connects the main Peruvian cities and international points in Chile, Argentina, the United States and elsewhere.
Jorge Chávez International Airport lies on the edge of Lima and is the busiest airport in Peru. It is being expanded to take more international flights, and LATAM has dedicated check-in and cargo facilities there.
The advantage of the Lima hub is its position at the midpoint of the South American west coast. From Lima, Santiago in Chile, Quito in Ecuador and Bogotá in Colombia are within 4 hours' flying, which makes Lima a natural distribution centre for the west coast.
Value for Chinese shippers
LATAM Perú flies no route to China. Exports from China to Peru first move on an intercontinental carrier to a North American or European hub, then connect to a LATAM group flight into Lima. The value of LATAM Perú is the domestic Peruvian and west coast distribution stage beyond Lima.
Peru lies on the South American west coast facing the Pacific, across the ocean from China. No carrier flies between the two countries, so cargo must transit a North American or European hub. The LATAM Lima hub provides the domestic Peruvian and west coast distribution channel for that transit.
Peru has a long coastline and many ports. Bulk cargo from China to Peru goes by sea direct across the Pacific to Callao, while time-critical cargo goes by air through a North American or European hub to Lima. The two modes complement each other.
Callao port adjoins Lima and is the largest seaport in Peru. Chinese sea freight reaches Callao and can move by road into the Lima metropolitan area, while air cargo lands directly at Lima airport.
Trade between China and Peru is complementary: China exports machinery and electrical goods, light industrial products and high-technology goods to Peru, and Peru exports copper, gold, fishmeal and other resources to China. Time-sensitive Chinese exports go by air and bulk resources by sea.
China is Peru's largest trading partner and Peru is an important source of resources for China in Latin America. Trade relations have been stable for years, and Chinese companies are active investors in Peruvian mining, energy and infrastructure.
Chinese machinery and electrical exports to Peru include construction machinery, power equipment and telecommunications equipment. These are high in value with moderate size and weight, which suits air freight. Light consumer goods and household products mostly go by sea.
Fleet and aircraft types
The LATAM Perú fleet is allocated by the LATAM group and covers Boeing widebodies and Airbus narrowbodies. Long-haul international points from Lima are flown by the Boeing 767 and Boeing 787, and Peruvian domestic and regional routes by the Airbus A320 family.
Boeing widebodies
Boeing 767 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft fly the long-haul routes from Lima to North America and Europe. Their belly holds are large and can take high-value Chinese exports to Peru.
The Boeing 767 is the main widebody of the LATAM group and flies long-haul routes from Lima to North America and Europe. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner flies longer sectors with better fuel efficiency. Both hold air pallets in the belly.
For high-value electronics, precision instruments and urgent spare parts exported from China to Peru, LATAM widebody belly holds give steady long-haul cargo capacity.
Airbus narrowbodies
Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft fly Peruvian domestic and Latin American regional routes. Their belly holds are limited and mainly take loose cargo and small urgent items.
The Airbus A320 family is the narrowbody mainstay of the LATAM group, flying from Lima to Peruvian cities and to regional points in Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and other neighbours. Short sectors and dense frequency suit distribution within Peru.
Peruvian domestic routes are shaped by the Andes: some airports are high and have restricted runways. The Airbus A320 family is better suited to that high-altitude, short-sector environment.
Group fleet size
The LATAM group fleet totals about 300 aircraft, covering the Boeing 767, 777 and 787 and the Airbus A320 and A350. LATAM Perú, as the group's Peruvian subsidiary, shares the group fleet and network.
LATAM was formed in 2012 by the merger of Chile's LAN and Brazil's TAM and is the largest airline group in South America. It operates domestic routes in 5 countries, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and international routes to Europe, the United States, Oceania, Africa and the Caribbean.
The LATAM group filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020 and completed its restructuring afterwards. It has continued to operate since with a stable fleet and network, and LATAM Perú's operations as a subsidiary were not affected.
Relations with China and the channel to Peru
Peru is an important country on the South American west coast and its capital Lima is an air hub for the region. China and Peru established diplomatic relations in 1971 and trade is close. China is Peru's largest trading partner, and Chinese exports to Peru are mainly machinery and electrical goods, high-technology goods and light textiles and consumer goods.
Air freight from China to Peru traditionally flies to Los Angeles or Houston in the United States, or Madrid in Europe, then connects to a LATAM flight into Lima. Beyond Lima, cargo distributes on the LATAM Perú domestic network to the main Peruvian cities, or flies on to Chile, Argentina and other neighbours.
Los Angeles is the main transit hub from China to Latin America. Chinese exports fly to Los Angeles, then connect to a LATAM flight into Lima. Los Angeles to Lima takes about 8 hours on a LATAM widebody.
Los Angeles International Airport is the largest air cargo hub in the western United States. Chinese exports are declared in Guangzhou or Shanghai, fly direct to Los Angeles and transit there to Lima. This is the most used air cargo channel from China to Peru.
Madrid is the transit hub for the European routing. Chinese exports fly to Madrid, then connect to a LATAM transatlantic flight into Lima. The routing suits consolidation where a customer also has cargo bound for Latin America.
Madrid Barajas is the main LATAM group hub in Europe. Chinese exports fly to Madrid, then connect to a LATAM transatlantic flight into Lima. The routing suits Chinese exporters holding both European and Latin American orders that can be consolidated.
Miami is the group's other North American hub. Chinese cargo flies to Miami and connects to a LATAM flight into Lima. Miami to Lima takes about 6 hours with dense frequency.
Miami International Airport is the main LATAM group hub in North America. Chinese cargo flies to Miami and connects to a LATAM flight into Lima; the sector takes about 6 hours with dense frequency, which suits urgent cargo with tight transit requirements.
Peru has a large mining industry, with copper and gold the main exports. Chinese companies have mining investments and engineering contracts in Peru, and equipment spares are an important air cargo source. These high-value urgent items suit widebody belly capacity.
Peru's copper reserves are among the largest in the world and copper mining needs heavy engineering equipment. Spares for Chinese-invested copper projects in Peru often rely on urgent air shipments, and these high-value items suit LATAM widebody belly capacity.
Peruvian copper projects are mostly in the Andes, at high altitude with poor transport links. A failed component can halt production at heavy cost, so the transit requirement for urgent air replenishment is very tight. The LATAM Lima hub gives these projects a dependable urgent channel.
Lima is one of the largest cities on the South American west coast, with a population above ten million. The metropolitan area concentrates Peru's main commerce and consumption, and Chinese light consumer goods, appliances and electronics go mainly to the Lima market.
The Lima metropolitan area holds about one third of Peru's population and most of its consumer market. Chinese appliances, consumer electronics and furniture go mainly to retailers and distributors in Lima. These goods are cost-sensitive and usually move by sea, though urgent e-commerce replenishment goes by air.
Cusco is a well-known Peruvian tourist city and the gateway to Machu Picchu. Tourism-related supplies and hotel goods are another air cargo source, and Chinese tourist products and hotel equipment can transit Lima to Cusco.
Cusco lies at 3,400 m and was the capital of the Inca empire; it is the gateway to Machu Picchu. Tourism is the mainstay of the Cusco economy and demand for hotel and tourism supplies is strong. Chinese hotel linen, room appliances and souvenirs can transit Lima to Cusco.
Route network: thin-stop services from the Lima hub
The diagram is centred on Lima Jorge Chávez Airport and maps the thin-stop network LATAM Perú flies into Peru and along the Latin American west coast. Purple lines are the routes radiating from Lima.
Booking path for Chinese shippers
Intercontinental mainline sector
Cargo is handed over at Guangzhou, Shanghai and other gateways and flies the intercontinental sector to Los Angeles or Houston in North America, or to Madrid in Europe. This sector is not operated by LATAM.
Lima transit sector
Cargo changes aircraft at Miami or Madrid and connects to a LATAM flight into Lima Jorge Chávez Airport, where LATAM Perú takes over domestic Peruvian and west coast distribution.
Distribution within Peru
After customs clearance in Lima, cargo distributes on LATAM Perú domestic flights to Trujillo, Arequipa, Cusco and other main Peruvian cities, or flies on to Chile, Argentina and other neighbours.
Documents and compliance
Cargo exported from China to Peru via Lima needs a commercial invoice, packing list and air waybill. Peruvian customs levies duty and value added tax, and import documents are accepted in English or Spanish. Lithium batteries and magnetic cargo must be packed and declared under the IATA dangerous goods rules.
Peruvian customs also applies quarantine requirements to wood packaging, and wooden pallets must be fumigated and marked. Goodhope Freight can arrange fumigation at the Shenzhen gateway.
Peru's import VAT rate is generally 16 percent, higher on some luxury goods, tobacco and alcohol. Chinese exporters should build duty and VAT into their costing.
Peru is a member of the Pacific Alliance and has a free trade agreement with China. Some Chinese machinery and electrical products enter Peru at preferential duty. Goodhope Freight helps exporters confirm the Peruvian customs code and duty rate before booking.
The China-Peru free trade agreement took effect in 2010, with more than 90 percent of products on both sides receiving zero-tariff treatment. Chinese machinery and electrical goods, textiles and furniture enter Peru at low or zero duty. Goodhope Freight helps exporters confirm the certificate of origin requirements before booking.
With a free trade agreement certificate of origin, most Chinese manufactured goods enter Peru duty free. Exporters should apply to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade for the certificate before shipment and submit it with the other documents to Peruvian customs. Goodhope Freight can handle the certificate.
Peruvian customs is strict on import documents, and the commercial invoice must state the commodity, quantity, unit price and total value. Exporters should make sure the documents are complete before shipment so that the cargo is not fined on arrival.
Peruvian customs uses an electronic clearance system, and imports must be declared within the prescribed period after arrival. Our partner agent in Lima handles the declaration so that cargo is released promptly.
The Peruvian currency is the sol and exchange controls are relatively light. Exporters can agree settlement in US dollars or soles with the consignee, and Goodhope Freight flags the relevant settlement points at booking.
The Peruvian foreign exchange market is open and the sol floats freely. Chinese exporters usually settle in US dollars and Peruvian importers buy currency locally to pay. Goodhope Freight flags exchange rate risk to exporters at booking.
What Goodhope Freight does toward Peru and the Latin American west coast
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight) handles air freight from China to Peru and the Latin American west coast. For the LATAM Lima hub channel it provides the following services.
The logistics chain from China to Peru and the west coast is long and involves several carriers. Goodhope Freight plans the intercontinental mainline, the Lima transit and the Peruvian domestic distribution as one chain and books the whole movement for the customer.
Our operations team tracks the cargo position throughout and reports status to the customer at each milestone: the intercontinental leg, the connection at Lima and the domestic leg in Peru. For customers shipping to Peru regularly we can sign monthly contract rates that stabilize both capacity and price.
Intercontinental mainline booking
Shippers can hand over cargo at Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other gateways, and Goodhope Freight handles export declaration and books capacity with the intercontinental carrier. The intercontinental sector can go to Los Angeles, Miami or Madrid, and we recommend the best routing by volume and transit time.
Shippers can hand over cargo at Guangzhou, Shanghai and other gateways, and Goodhope Freight handles export declaration and books intercontinental capacity to move the cargo to Miami or Madrid.
Transit at Lima
We connect at the LATAM Lima hub to move cargo into Peru. Transit at Lima is efficient and cargo can change aircraft within hours to continue to Peruvian cities or other west coast countries.
We connect at the LATAM Lima hub to move cargo into Peru, and can distribute on the LATAM group network to Chile, Argentina and other west coast countries.
Distribution within Peru
After arrival in Lima we distribute cargo on LATAM Perú domestic flights to Trujillo, Arequipa, Cusco and other main Peruvian cities, which are the main nodes of Peruvian mining, agriculture and tourism.
After arrival in Lima we distribute cargo on LATAM Perú domestic flights to Trujillo, Arequipa, Cusco and other main Peruvian cities.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does LATAM Perú fly to China?
No. The LATAM group international network covers Europe, the United States, Oceania and the Caribbean, and no public source shows scheduled services to China.
Where is the LATAM Perú hub?
Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport in Peru, which the LATAM group ranks alongside Miami as one of its 2 main hubs.
What kind of company is LATAM Perú?
The Peruvian subsidiary of LATAM Airlines Group, legally named Lan Perú S.A., with IATA code LP and ICAO code LPE.
What aircraft does LATAM Perú fly?
Aircraft are allocated by the LATAM group and include the Boeing 767, the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A320 family, with about 300 aircraft across the group.
How does Chinese cargo reach Peru?
An intercontinental carrier moves it to Miami or Madrid, a LATAM flight connects to Lima, and it is then distributed within Peru.
Which Chinese exports suit the Lima channel?
Machinery and electrical goods, engineering supplies and high-technology goods exported to Peru and the Latin American west coast.
Is there a free trade agreement between Peru and China?
Yes. Peru is a member of the Pacific Alliance and has a free trade agreement with China, so some Chinese products enter at preferential duty.
Where can cargo go beyond Lima?
It can distribute to Trujillo, Arequipa and Cusco within Peru, or fly on to Chile, Argentina and other west coast countries.
Disclaimer
The information here is for reference only and does not form a contract of carriage or a commercial commitment. LATAM Perú routes, schedules, fleet allocation and cargo capability may change with operating decisions without notice; flight times are local, and actual schedules and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight from China to Peru and the Latin American west coast, or for booking help, contact one of our cargo advisers for a tailored end-to-end plan.
Goodhope Freight has operations teams at Shenzhen, Guangzhou and other gateways handling booking, export declaration and handover for the Chinese export leg. The customer only needs to deliver the cargo to the nominated gateway warehouse; we connect the intercontinental and Peruvian sectors.
Our operations team tracks the cargo position throughout and reports status to the customer at each milestone: the intercontinental leg, the connection at Lima and the domestic leg in Peru. For customers shipping to Peru regularly we can sign monthly contract rates that stabilize both capacity and price.
Goodhope Freight welcomes enquiries from shippers exporting to Peru and the South American west coast and will propose a plan based on volume, transit time and destination.
For booking details, rates and capacity on the China to Peru and Latin American west coast channel, contact one of our cargo advisers; we will propose a tailored end-to-end logistics plan based on volume, transit time and final destination.
Goodhope Freight looks to build long-term cooperation with shippers exporting to Peru and the South American west coast, providing a stable and efficient air freight service.
For booking details, rates and capacity on the Lima hub channel, contact one of our cargo advisers; we will propose a tailored end-to-end logistics and booking solution based on actual volume and the final destination city.
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Trademark notice
Goodhope Freight plans the Chinese export leg, the intercontinental mainline to Los Angeles, Miami or Madrid and the LATAM Lima distribution stage as one chain, so one booking covers China to the Peruvian capital and to the countries of the South American west coast. Chinese companies with mining investments and engineering contracts in Peru, and traders exporting light consumer goods to the Lima metropolitan area, are welcome to contact our cargo advisers.
LATAM, LATAM Airlines and related marks are registered trademarks or trademarks of LATAM Airlines Group. The names are used here for identification and explanation only and do not imply any agency, partnership or affiliation between Goodhope Freight and LATAM. Other airline names and trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners.