Chile

Distributing a product

Market shares

The large-scale distribution, which, until recently, used to address only to the upper classes of the population, tends to expand its business in order to reach customers not only in Santiago but in other provinces as well. Big chains such as Carrefour or Wallmart, which are world leaders, have been established in Chile for a few years.

Organizations in the retail sector

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Non tariff barriers

Chile applies the free market economy. All citizens of the country are allowed to carry out imports.
Despite this liberal regime of import, some licenses are required for the goods which value exceeds USD 3,500. The licenses are generally automatically granted by the Central Bank of Chile. The importer has to handle an " Informe de Importacion " form, that should go through any commercial bank. This license is mainly used for statistical purposes.
However, some products are more watched over than others, especially pharmaceuticals or farm products. Indeed, these products are subject to an authorisation of the Ministry of Agriculture. Some very strict standards totally prevent the import of beef. The import of second-hand vehicles is forbidden (with the exception of ambulances, armoured vehicles, and mobile homes coaches).

Customs classification

Chile applies the Harmonised Customs System. The customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value. Since the 1st January of 2003, the general tariff rate has been 6% on most products, one of the lowest in Latin America. However, Chilean customs reserve the right to apply some minimum prices for the valuation of imports (it can be the case concerning certain farm products such as wheat, edible oils and sugar, for instance).
Chile signed a certain number of trade agreements, especially with Canada, Mexico and some of the members of the ALADI. Duties for most items between these countries are at 0 %. On the top of that, Chile is an associate member of Mercosur and is currently negotiating with Bolivia and the USA. Finally, Chile signed on November 18, 2002 a Free trade agreement with the European Union that ntered into force on an interim basis on 1 February 2003, leading to a reduction of customs duties.

Import procedures

Chile applies the Harmonised Customs System. The customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value. Since the 1st January of 2003, the general tariff rate has been 6% on most products, one of the lowest in Latin America. However, Chilean customs reserve the right to apply some minimum prices for the valuation of imports (it can be the case concerning certain farm products such as wheat, edible oils and sugar, for instance).
Chile signed a certain number of trade agreements, especially with Canada, Mexico and some of the members of the ALADI. Duties for most items between these countries are at 0 %. On the top of that, Chile is an associate member of Mercosur and is currently negotiating with Bolivia and the USA. Finally, Chile signed on November 18, 2002 a Free trade agreement with the European Union that ntered into force on an interim basis on 1 February 2003, leading to a reduction of customs duties.

For further information

Organizing goods transport

Ports

The Chilean airline company Ladeco
The Chilean airline company Lanchile
The airport of Santiago of Chile
The harbour office of Chile
Plan, rates and schedules of the subway of Santiago

Airports

Sea transport organizations

Air transport organizations

Road transport organizations

Rail transport organizations