Port of Valparaíso – one of the country’s main cultural and shipping centers.
Port of Iquique – one of Chile’s two free ports.
Punta Arenas Port – Chile’s second free port.
Port of San Antonio – the largest port in Chile and among the busiest in South America.
Port of Arica – located on the northern Pacific coast.
Customs Duties and Taxes
Chile uses the Harmonized System.
Import duty is generally 6% of the CIF value (cost, insurance, and freight), one of the lowest
rates in Latin America.
Trade agreements with countries like Canada, Mexico, and members of Mercosur can reduce duties
to 0%.
Luxury and Special Taxes
New cars are treated as luxury goods.
Vehicles with engine capacity above 1500 cc may face an 85% tax on CIF value over USD 15,000.
Some other luxury goods also have high taxes (e.g., jewellery 50%).
Required Import Documents
Commercial invoice (numbered and signed).
Consignee’s RUT tax identification number.
Air waybill and shipment details.
Import license (usually automatic except for restricted goods).
Customs Valuation
Based on CIF value.
Used goods are valued by reducing the price 10% per year of use, up to a maximum 70%
depreciation.
Prohibited Imports
Used passenger and cargo vehicles.
Used motorcycles and used tires.
Dangerous goods defined by International Air Transport Association.
Overall: Chile has relatively low
import tariffs (about 6%) and many trade agreements, but strictly prohibits importing used
vehicles, and new cars with large engines may face very high luxury taxes.