Country Guides
Chile
While this information is correct at posting, regulations, procedures and charges are subject to change. IAM does not accept liability for errors, omissions, inaccuracies or misinterpretations. This information does not purport to be provided or sanctioned by customs authorities of the country or territory concerned.
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Overview
Process Steps
5 stepsConfirm the shipper category and required documents, including Travel Certificate for returning citizens or qualifying visa for foreign citizens.
Ensure the shipment arrives within the 120-day window before or after the beneficiary’s arrival in Chile.
Prepare a typed inventory in English or Spanish and detailed packing information for air shipments.
Submit customs forms and prepare for physical inspection by Chilean Customs and SAG.
Complete definitive importation and arrange dispatch after customs clearance.
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Guide Details
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Original bill of lading (OBL) for sea shipments / air waybill (AWB) for air / inland BL for land
- Inventory list, correctly registered and typed, in English or Spanish only
- Travel Certificate (Certificado de Viajes) issued in Chile by Interpol (valid for 30 days)
- Photocopy of passport (identification page with clear photo)
- Last entrance stamp to Chile visible in passport
- Set of customs forms (supplied by Chilean destination agent)
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB) / inland BL
- Inventory list, correctly registered and typed, in English or Spanish only
- Photocopy of passport (identification page)
- Last entrance stamp to Chile visible in passport
- Photocopy of Work Visa or Temporary Resident Visa, with a minimum of 365 days, stamped in passport
- Set of customs forms (supplied by Chilean destination agent)
- Original bill of lading
- Inventory list
- Photocopy of passport
- Exoneration Form issued by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (obtained through the corresponding embassy or international organization)
- Set of customs forms (supplied by Chilean destination agent)
Duties & Taxes
Duty-free allowances for returning Chilean citizens depend on length of stay abroad: - Between 6 and 12 months abroad: up to US$675 FOB, duty-free (no interruptions allowed)
- Between 1 and 5 years abroad: up to US$4,050 FOB, duty-free (30 days interruption per year allowed)
- More than 5 years abroad: up to US$6,750 FOB, duty-free (60 days interruption per year allowed)
- Only 1% duty is charged on CIF value for goods within the exemption threshold
- This benefit is available once every 3 years
Duty-free allowances for foreign citizens (non-citizens): - Must have a work visa or temporary resident visa valid for at least 1 year (365 days)
- May import up to US$6,750 FOB tax-free
- Shipments over US$6,750 FOB are subject to customs duties on the excess amount
- If the visa is still being processed, clearance is possible under bonded storage at the importer's residence; the official visa stamped in the passport must be presented to Customs within 90 days, otherwise the entire shipment becomes subject to full duties
- A maximum of two shipments may be imported under this exemption from the same origin (one with personal effects, one with household goods); the combined value must not exceed US$6,750 FOB
- This benefit is available once every 3 years
Diplomatic shipments: Fully exempt from duties and taxes. The exemption form must be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic status does not exempt shipments from Customs verification or SAG (agricultural) inspection.
When no exemptions apply: - Used household goods: approximately 30% duty over CIF value (6% customs duty + surcharges + 19% VAT)
- New items: approximately 28% over CIF value
- Customs valuation considers depreciation for use (10% per year, up to 70% maximum discount)
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Arms, ammunition, and dangerous objects (sporting firearms allowed with DGMN permit) PERMIT REQUIRED
- Used motorcycles
- Used tires
- Plants, soil, and seeds (subject to SAG controls)
- Narcotics and illegal drugs
- Pornographic materials, movies, or publications
- Medicines without National Health Service approval PERMIT REQUIRED
Restricted / Dutiable Items
Alcohol:
- Adults over 18 may import 2.5 liters of alcohol duty-free (including wine)
- Amounts exceeding 2.5 liters are subject to duties and taxes of 27% or more (wines: 20.5% on CIF + duties; liquors: 31.5% on CIF + duties)
- SAG limits: 30 liters of wine, 10 liters of spirits, 30 liters of beer
- Importing more than 24 bottles of the same brand requires SAG to take 4 sample bottles for composition analysis (not returned), at the importer's expense
- Importing more than 30 liters requires a separate import permit from the SAG Alcohol Division (Av. Presidente Bulnes 140, Santiago) before the shipment arrives
Foodstuffs: Only non-perishable food, canned or sealed, in quantities limited to personal use. SAG inspection is stringent; it is recommended not to ship food items.
Firearms: Only sporting firearms (hunting or target shooting) may be imported, with prior authorization from the General Directorate of National Mobilization (DGMN). Full customs duties and taxes apply plus an additional 15%. Firearms must be released to Customs upon arrival until the permit is granted.
Medicines: Subject to approval by the National Health Service, which may take several weeks. Medicines will be removed from the shipment until cleared. It is recommended not to ship medicines; bring them in personal luggage with a doctor's prescription instead.
Safe boxes: Subject to duties unless small and manually transportable. Keys and/or passcode must be available during Customs inspection; if not, the safe will be confiscated until opened.
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Used vehicles are limited to qualifying returning Chilean citizens; foreign citizens may not import used vehicles. New vehicles may be imported subject to full duties.
Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.
Taxes and Fees
New vehicles: Both returning citizens and foreign citizens may import new vehicles. Full customs duties and taxes apply (approximately 28%).
Used motorcycles are strictly prohibited. The importation of used motorcycles into Chile is completely banned, with no exceptions.
Bicycles: Admitted tax-free as sports articles or city bikes, provided the number does not exceed the members of the family group. This applies to Chileans, foreigners, and diplomats.
Required Documents
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Franchise request form (signed in person at Customs Service Office in Chile)
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Original bill of lading
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Travel Certificate (valid 30 days)
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Notarized sworn statement declaring permanent residency in Chile
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Terminal container receipt
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Commercial invoice of the vehicle, or notarized sworn statement declaring the vehicle's value
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Technical specifications form of the vehicle
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Vehicle property title
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Annex No. 83 (declaring the address where the vehicle will reside)
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Bank guarantee bond or insurance policy in US dollars for the amount of taxes payable
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Customs Service resolution granting the franchise
- For Used Vehicles (Returning Chilean Citizens only): Fumigation certificate (required for vehicles shipped from the United States)
- For New Vehicles: Commercial invoice
- For New Vehicles: Vehicle property title
- For New Vehicles: Set of customs forms (supplied by Chilean agent)
Specific Information
Used vehicle conditions: - Must be shipped from the same country of residence as the returning citizen
- Must have been acquired at least 6 months before the return date to Chile
- Must enter Chile with the beneficiary or within 120 days before or after arrival
- Subject to duties of approximately 28%
- The vehicle may not be resold or transferred
- The returning citizen must appear in person at the Customs authority at the port of entry at least 5 working days before the shipment arrives to request the import
Used tires: Prohibited.
Operational Notes
Used vehicles: returning Chilean citizens ONLY. Foreign citizens may not import used vehicles. Only returning Chilean citizens who have stayed abroad for at least 18 months (verified by Travel Certificate, with up to 60 days interruption per year) may import one used vehicle.
New vehicles: Both returning citizens and foreign citizens may import new vehicles. Full customs duties and taxes apply (approximately 28%).
Used motorcycles are strictly prohibited. The importation of used motorcycles into Chile is completely banned, with no exceptions.
Bicycles: Admitted tax-free as sports articles or city bikes, provided the number does not exceed the members of the family group. This applies to Chileans, foreigners, and diplomats.
Vehicles from the U.S.: A fumigation certificate is required for any vehicle shipped from the United States, whether shipped alone or in a container with household goods.
Driving: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road.
Pets
- International Phytosanitary Certificate (issued at the place of origin)
- Original vaccination certificate (issued at the place of origin)
- Air waybill
- Photocopy of passport (identification page)
- Last entrance to Chile stamp in passport
- Special notarized statement giving the Chilean destination agent authority for customs clearance
No quarantine. There is no quarantine period for dogs and cats. Pets may be retrieved from Customs immediately upon arrival.
Agent notification required: The destination agent must know in advance the date and flight of arrival to arrange prompt clearance.
SAG inspection: Pets are subject to inspection by the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) upon arrival.
Other pet species: For pets other than dogs and cats, consult the destination agent and SAG directly, as additional permits from the Agricultural Office may be required.
Rabies vaccination: Chile is classified as a low-risk country for dog rabies. However, proof of current rabies vaccination is required for entry.
USDA APHIS requirements (for pets originating from the U.S.): The USDA maintains specific health certificate requirements for pets traveling from the U.S. to Chile. Consult the APHIS page for Chile at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-chile for current forms and endorsement requirements.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
Dispatch times after customs clearance:
- Air and land shipments: 3 working days
- FCL (full container load): 5 working days
- LCL (less than container load): 7 working days
Travel Certificate (returning citizens): The customer must be physically in Chile to obtain this document, as the latest passport entry stamp must be presented. The certificate is valid for 30 days. This is issued by Interpol in Chile.
Visa timing (foreign citizens): If the work visa is still being processed at the time of the shipment's arrival, the goods may be cleared under bonded storage at the importer's residence. The official visa must be presented within 90 days, or the entire shipment reverts to full duties.
Two-shipment limit (foreign citizens): A maximum of two shipments may be imported under the duty-free benefit from the same origin. Combined value must not exceed US$6,750 FOB.
120-day window: All shipments must arrive within 120 days before or after the beneficiary's arrival. This deadline is strictly enforced.
Detailed packing list for air shipments: All air shipments must include item-by-item detail, including clothing counts by type, electronics with brand/model/serial numbers, and identification of wooden items. If goods are in multiple crates, the list must indicate which items are in which crate.
ISPM 15 enforcement: Chile will return non-compliant shipments to origin. This is not a fine-and-fumigate situation; the shipment goes back at the shipper's expense.
Port of entry: Principal sea freight port is Valparaiso (San Antonio also used). Air freight arrives at Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL).
Cultural & Other Information
- OpenFactBook (replaces CIA World Factbook): https://www.openfactbook.org/countries/chile/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile
- Chilean Customs Authority: https://www.aduana.cl/
- Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG): https://www.sag.gob.cl/
- U.S. State Department -- Chile: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Chile.html
- U.S. Embassy in Chile: https://cl.usembassy.gov/
- U.S. Trade.gov -- Chile: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/chile-import-requirements-and-documentation
- Foreign Embassies in Chile: http://www.embassy.org/embassies/cl.html
- FIDI Import Customs Guide -- Chile: https://www.fidi.org/sites/default/files/public/2024-01/CHILE%20Import%20%E2%80%93%20FIDI%20Customs%20Guide.pdf
- PetTravel.com -- Chile: https://www.pettravel.com/information/pet-passports/chile-pet-import-requirements/
- USDA APHIS -- Pet Travel to Chile: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-chile
Key country facts: Chile is a long, narrow country on the western coast of South America, stretching over 4,300 km from north to south between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. The capital is Santiago. The official language is Spanish. Chile has a stable, open economy and is a member of the OECD, the Pacific Alliance, and has free trade agreements with numerous countries. The currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP).
Important notes for movers: Chile's customs regime is more complex than many countries due to the tiered duty-free thresholds that depend on citizenship status and length of stay abroad. The distinction between returning citizens and foreign citizens is critical: they have different document requirements, different duty-free thresholds, and different vehicle import rights. The strict ban on used motorcycle imports, the ISPM 15 return-to-origin enforcement, and the 120-day import window are the most common pitfalls. SAG agricultural inspection adds time and cost to virtually every shipment. Movers should budget extra clearance time and clearly communicate the detailed packing list requirements for air shipments.