Maximum Coverage = Maximum Declared Value for Carriage for the Priority™ Worldwide service.

Import Restrictions

Senders should determine import restrictions from the country's authorities before posting:

• animals and plants
• chemicals
• films
• medicines
• saccharine and similar substances.

Other exceptions to import restriction are used ambulances, armoured cars, mobile homes, prison vans, street and highway cleaning vehicles, and cement making vehicles. Importers of these goods pay the 15% import duty plus the IVA.

Fire fighting vehicles are not subject to import duty, and IVA is paid on their CIF value only.

Special laws allow used/new car imports by persons returning from exile, returning after working or studying abroad for a number of years, or domiciled in domestic free trade zones. These imports are also tax exempt.

Chile applies animal health and phytosanitary requirements for imports of animals and plant based products. Phytosanitary requirements are applied to imports of wheat, fresh fruit, and poultry. Chilean authorities have in some cases eliminated specific requirements when presented scientific evidence by U.S. animal health or phytosanitary officials.

The importation of pharmaceutical specialties, cosmetics, and most biological and biochemical preparations require prior registration with the Institute of Public Health (Instituto de Salud Publica), and may be subject o special labelling and other requirements, depending on the nature of the product.

Imported goods that are considered inconsistent with Chilean "morals, public health, national security, or environment" require special authorization to enter into Chile. These include certain person security products such as mace sprays, certain chemicals/processes, and some media products which face review and possible censorship. It should be noted all films, videos, and TV programs, imported or locally produced, are reviewed for suitability.

Gifts

Gift shipments are acceptable; duties/taxes will be assessed. Gifts and aid to the governments and to charitable and educational institutions which are recognized by the government are eligible for exemption of most customs duties and IVA tax. More information on qualifications for these exemptions is available on the customs website and in Part 0012 of the Chile Customs Tariff.

Prohibited Items

In addition to items considered non-mailable matter, the following are prohibited:

• absinthe
• adulterated beverages and foodstuffs
• chain letters
• condensed milk
• knives (except for cutlery)
• lottery tickets and advertising
• offensive materials
• pharmaceutical products and drugs of unknown composition
• used tires

Documentation Required

Information regarding Customs can be found in "Customs Requirements" of the Canada Postal Guide.

Items mailed to Chile containing commercial goods require an invoice stating the country of origin.

Document Requirements

Commercial forms used by both local importers and exporters are: commercial invoice, certificate of origin, bill of lading, freight insurance and packing list. Special permission certificates, and approved documents, such as sanitary and phytosanitary certificates are required for most agricultural products and in special cases for industrial products.

Commercial Invoices must accompany all non document shipments. Invoices must be numbered, printed on company letterhead with an itemized list of contents, true FOB value of goods, signed and stamped by the shipper. Pro Forma invoices are acceptable as exceptions by Chilean Customs as valid documents for clearance.

Consignee's Tax Identification Number (RUT) is required for shipments entering Chile and must be included on the Air Waybill and Commercial Invoice for all non-document shipments. If the RUT number is not included, additional clearance delays may occur.

Import Licenses - all imports require a license, but, according to legislation governing the Central Bank since 1990, import licenses are granted as a routine procedure for nearly all goods. Licensing requirements are maintained largely as a statistical gathering mechanism, not as a control. More rigorous licensing procedures apply for pharmaceuticals.

Import licenses are required for goods whose value is over 3,500 USD. The importer must present an “Informe de Importacion”, a document which must go through the commercial bank.

Chile approves the import of processed food on a case by case basis. To bring in a product, the importer must obtain a permission from the Health Service.