A port representing where good arrive after going through product registration in Chile

Product Registration in Chile: What You Need to Know

Properly undertaking product registration in Chile is crucial to any investor intending to launch a product onto the market. Failure to obtaining the correct permits to import, distribute, or sell a product in the South American country could draw severe penalties and jeopardize your business, so better understanding the process should help you avoid delays and unnecessary expenses when doing business in Chile.

Aerial view of City of Santiago, Chile, where most companies that undertake a process of product registration in Chile are established.
Santiago de Chile, the capital city

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2019 Global Competitiveness Report, Chile is the most competitive country in Latin America and the Caribbean, largely due to its stable macroeconomic environment and investment-friendly policies. The South American country is also the world’s 15th freest economy, according to the Heritage Foundation’s 2020 Index of Economic Freedom.

Chile is a global free trade beacon, having reached free trade agreements (FTAs) with 64 countries and regional associations. Furthermore, Chile was the only Latin American country to appear among the top 20 of the 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Index, occupying the 19th spot on the list.

Chile registered a gross domestic product (GDP – PPP) of $503 billion (all figures in USD) in 2019 and is the world’s leading copper producer. Its other key exports include minerals, wood, fruit, seafood, and wine.

If you need a legal counsel in Chile to help you launch in one of Latin America’s most developed markets, read on to learn about product registration in Chile.

YouTube video

Product registration in Chile: general import compliance requirements

Paperwork, representing the paperwork involved in import , export and product registration in Chile
Product registration in Chile involves much paperwork

When importing goods with a nominal value of less than $1,000, a process of product registration in Chile can be done through a private entity or directly through the National Customs Service. Some of the required documents include:

  • Entry summary declaration
  • Original bill of landing (for maritime shipment), consignment note (for road transport), or airway bill (for air transport). These guarantee the existence of the contract between the exporter and shipping company. They also serve as receipts for the goods and declarations for customs clearance
  • Original commercial invoice certifying the object of sale and its value
  • Entry summary declaration
  • Power of attorney
  • Free sales certificate, in the case of agricultural and food products
  • Travel certificate, in the case of importing traveler’s luggage.

On the other hand, when importing goods with a nominal value above $1,000, you must carry out the product registration process through a customs agency. In that instance, the following additional documentation is required:

Chilean port, where companies usually conduct activities related to product registration in Chile.
Chile has low import tariffs for Latin America
  • Importer affidavit on the price of the merchandise.
  • Endorsement of the original bill of lading on behalf of the customs agent to allow for the clearance of goods.
  • Insurance certificate (In the case that is not included in the commercial invoice).
  • Expense claims including all expenses which are not included on the website.
  • Permits, visas, certificates, or clearances when necessary. 
  • Packaging list for grouped merchandise or for merchandise packed in containers. 
  • Free sales certificate, only for agricultural and food products.
  • Import authorization. 
  • Certificate of origin that certifies the country of origin where the merchandise is produced.
  • Certificate of Insurance.
  • Expense claims.
  • Proof of origin, for imports between Chile and the European Union. 

Regarding import tariffs, Chile has adopted the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS), an international standard for tariffs developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to facilitate easier import and export.

Chilean imports are subject to the payment of the ad-valorem duty or tariff that is calculated on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value. Note that since Jan. 1, 2013, Chile applies a general tariff of 6 percent on most products — one of the lowest import tariff regimes in Latin America.

Furthermore, all imported products must pay a value-added tax (VAT) based on the CIF value plus the ad-valorem duty. Some selected products — namely tobacco, luxury goods, and alcoholic beverages — must pay higher excise duty. Regional trade agreements or treaties can ensure exemption from ad-valorem tariffs or preferential rates. Note that all imports to Chile from the EU enter tariff-free.

Registration requirements for different types of products

Procedures related to product registration in Chile depend upon the type of product being imported or sold. Some product’s that have special procedures include:

Food and other products destined for human consumption

Supermarket stocked with food products.
Products for human consumption need special clearance

Upon the entry of products into Chile, the National Customs Service (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas) will require a CDA certificate (Certificado de Destinación Aduanera), which describes the place where the goods will be stored, as well as the route and conditions they will be kept in from the customs facility to the storage or warehouse where they will be kept prior to being distributed for sale or consumption. Importers may only request authorization to sell or carry out commercial transactions with the imported goods if the aforementioned procedure has been completed.

Pesticides, disinfectants, sanitizers, pharmaceutical, and medical products

Prior to their commercialization, all such products need to be registered before the Chilean Public Health Institute, or INS (Instituto de Salud Publica). The initial registration process can be conducted online. The goal is to obtain a Health Registration (Registro Sanitario) which allows the fabrication, importation, and distribution of the aforementioned products in Chile. This is to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of such goods.

Pharmaceutical products with veterinary applications

The importation and subsequent commercialization of these products needs to be cleared by the Chilean Agriculture Service (Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero).

Alcoholic beverages, wines, biotechnology, plants, flora and fauna, other organic products

The importation and subsequential commercialization of such products need to be authorized by the Chilean Agriculture Service (Servicio Agricola y Ganadero). This authorization can be requested online.

Complete product registration in Chile with the help of Biz Latin Hub

Ensure the success of your operations in Chile by engaging with an experienced partner who can provide legal representation to assist you in undertaking product registration in Chile.

At Biz Latin Hub, our multilingual team of corporate legal and accounting specialists has vast experience assisting foreign companies with the likes of company formation, legal representation, and HR services. With our full portfolio of market entry and back-office services, we can be your single point of contact to develop commercial operations in Chile and take advantage of business opportunities in the country, or anywhere else in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Contact us today to receive personalized assistance and learn more about our team and expert authors.

Infographic: Biz Latin Hub services
Our services offered at Biz Latin Hub

The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.
Legal Team Chile

Legal Team Chile

Legal Team Chile is the Biz Latin Hub leading experts on doing business in Chile The Team writes on the news, doing business, law, and changing regulations. The team are experts in corporate law, Administrative law, Employment law, Immigration law and legal advisory services. Read more about them here. You can contact Legal Team Chile via our "contact us page".

Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest business news and advice about entity formation, legal entity compliance, accounting, back office and fiscal requirements. Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.