Customs Regulations in Chile
Document- and Good-Standards*
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Non-citizen work visa valid for at least one year
- Bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Packing list
- Valued inventory
- Exemption form from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomats)
- Travel certificate showing inbound and outbound travel dates obtained in Chile (returning citizens)
Specific Information
- All shipments are subject to physical inspection by Customs and the Agricultural Office (SAG), which may delay clearance
- If no exemptions can be applied for new items, household goods are generally assessed 6% duty over cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value, plus a surcharge of 50% on used goods; There is also a VAT of 19% over cost, insurance and freight (CIF)
- The Customs valuation of household goods considers depreciation for use and must be comparable to the value of related articles in the country of origin
- Returning citizens are free of duties/taxes up to 5,000 USD depending on the length of their stay abroad:
- Between 6 and 12 months: 500 USD FOB
- Between 1 and 5 years: 3,000 USD FOB
- More than 5 years: 5,000 USD FOB
- Only 1% of duty over cost, insurance and freight value is applied
- Non-citizens with a temporary residence visa or visa are subject to employment for at least 1 year and may import up to USD 5,000 FOB of used household goods and personal effects without paying duties, only a nominal tax of 1% over cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value
- If the visa is still in process, it is possible to clear under-bonded storage at the personal residence
- Definitive importation of the goods must be completed within 90 days
- Diplomats and international officials are exempt from importation duties and taxes on household goods, in which case an exemption form from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is needed
- If there is no previous treatment of wooden items, the Agriculture Office may order a complete fumigation (wood furniture is not required to have previous fumigation)
Motorized Vehicles*
Documents Required
- Sales contract / commercial invoice
- Certificate of title
- Original bill of lading
- Sworn declaration of the description of the vehicle
Specific Information
- The weight/freight amount of the household goods; the vehicle must be listed on the original bill of lading (including number of pieces and a description of the car)
- Import of new cars is allowed as a normal import paying all applicable duties and taxes
- Import of used motorcycles is strictly prohibited
- Import of used cars is strictly prohibited, except the following exceptions:
- Returning citizens that have stayed abroad for over 1 year
- All duties and taxes apply (27%)
- Foreign diplomats and international officials can import automobiles duty and tax free
- Chilean diplomats:
- Have the option of a monetary compensation if they do not import a vehicle
- May import a new car as long as all duties and taxes are paid
Pets
Documents Required
- International vaccination certificate (dogs and cats)
- Veterinary health record
- Pro-forma invoice
Specific Information
- There is no quarantine period
- Pets may be retrieved from Customs immediately upon arrival
- Agent must know in advance the date and flight of arrival to assist in clearing
IAM Note: Check with destination agent prior to shipping other types of pets as some may require additional permits from the Agricultural Office (SAG).
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Alcohol (adults over 18 years old may import 2.5 liters of alcohol duty free, including wine; if the amount exceeds 2.5 liters, the owner of the goods must pay duties and taxes of 27% or more)
- Only sports firearms for hunting may be imported (a special permit must be obtained prior to shipping)
Prohibited Items
- Drugs
- Meat
- Used motorcycles (new motorcycles are permitted)
- Used cars (unless imported by a returning citizen given he/she meets the same conditions)
- Used car tires
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements for the customs regulations in Chile have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.
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Helpful Websites:
Travel.State.Gov – Chile Country Info
USembassy.Gov – Chile
Cultural and Other Information:
CIA World Factbook Entry for Chile
Wikipedia Entry for Chile
The preceding conditions for the customs regulations in Chile are provided by the International Association of Movers – IAM. For more information please visit: http://www.iamovers.org/
* Depending on your personal situation, the following documents for the customs regulations in Chile may be relevant. For individual cases or specific information, click here – we and our agents are at your disposal.
All specifications are without guarantee and based on our own research. We do not take any claim of completeness as well as correctness. We cannot guarantee that the content is updated and accurate and suggest to the concerned people that it is urgently required to obtain the current information from official authorities and involved service providers like customs agents in the respective importing countries before the individual removal project starts.