How to Ship from the US to Chile: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Chile is a long, narrow country stretching over 2,600 miles along the western coast of South America, with a population of nearly 20 million people and one of the most open and stable economies in Latin America. Shipping from the United States to Chile benefits from the US-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which has been in effect since 2004 and eliminates tariffs on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries. This makes Chile one of the most cost-effective South American destinations for US shippers.

Chile's Servicio Nacional de Aduanas (National Customs Service) manages import processing with a modern, largely electronic system. The country's customs infrastructure has been modernized significantly over the past decade, resulting in relatively efficient processing times compared to other Latin American nations. Chile uses the Ventanilla Unica de Comercio Exterior (VUCE) single-window system for trade documentation, which streamlines the import clearance process.

The Chilean e-commerce market has grown substantially, driven by high internet penetration and increasing consumer demand for products from the US. Popular import categories include electronics, fashion, health supplements, and specialty foods. Understanding Chile's customs framework and leveraging the FTA can save significant money on duties and taxes.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Chile

USPS (United States Postal Service)

USPS offers the most affordable option for shipping to Chile. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4.4 pounds in 7 to 21 days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. Correos de Chile handles last-mile delivery within the country.

Delivery reliability in Santiago and other major cities is strong, but rural areas and remote southern regions like Patagonia may experience delays of 3 to 7 additional business days.

UPS

UPS provides reliable service to Chile with UPS Worldwide Express delivering in 2 to 4 business days and UPS Worldwide Expedited in 4 to 6 days. UPS has a well-developed customs brokerage operation in Chile and offers DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) options that simplify the import process for receivers.

FedEx

FedEx International Priority delivers to major Chilean cities in 2 to 4 business days, with International Economy offering 4 to 7 day delivery. FedEx operates direct service to Santiago and provides customs clearance support for both personal and commercial shipments.

DHL Express

DHL Express Worldwide delivers to Chile in 3 to 5 business days. DHL has strong coverage throughout Chile, including service to smaller cities and towns that other carriers may not reach directly. Their customs brokerage services in Chile are comprehensive and well-regarded.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Estimated costs for a 5-pound package from the US East Coast to Santiago:

Deliveries to southern Chile (Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt) or remote locations may incur additional surcharges. Using atoship commercial rates provides savings of 40% to 89%.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

US-Chile Free Trade Agreement

The US-Chile FTA, in effect since January 2004, is the most significant factor for US shippers to Chile. Under the FTA, virtually all tariffs on goods originating in the US have been eliminated. As of 2026, over 99% of US-origin goods enter Chile duty-free under the FTA. To qualify for FTA preferential rates, goods must meet rules of origin requirements, meaning they must be wholly produced in the US or substantially transformed in the US. A certificate of origin or origin declaration on the commercial invoice is required to claim FTA benefits.

De Minimis Threshold

Chile applies a de minimis threshold of $30 USD for imports via postal channels. Packages valued below $30 are exempt from duties and taxes. For packages above $30, the full customs duty and IVA (value-added tax) framework applies unless the FTA eliminates the duty.

Customs Duties

Under normal tariff rates (without FTA), Chile applies a uniform 6% ad valorem customs duty on most imported goods. However, with the US-Chile FTA, the vast majority of US-origin goods enter at 0% duty. Key categories:

IVA (Value-Added Tax)

Chile's IVA rate is 19%, applied to the CIF value plus any applicable customs duties. Unlike customs duties, IVA cannot be eliminated through the FTA and applies to all imports. So even with duty-free FTA treatment, a 19% IVA applies to all shipments valued above the $30 de minimis threshold.

Required Documentation

Imports to Chile require a commercial invoice with detailed item descriptions and values, a packing list for multi-item shipments, an origin declaration or certificate of origin to claim FTA rates, a bill of lading or air waybill, and for commercial imports over $1,000 a formal customs declaration through a licensed customs broker.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Chile prohibits the import of narcotics and controlled substances, used vehicles over a certain age without special permits, certain agricultural pests and pathogens, weapons and ammunition without SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) or military permits, pornographic material involving minors, and asbestos-containing products.

Restricted items requiring permits or special authorization include food products requiring SAG phytosanitary or zoosanitary certificates, pharmaceutical products requiring ISP (Public Health Institute) authorization, cosmetics requiring ISP notification, telecommunications equipment requiring SUBTEL (Telecommunications Subsecretariat) certification, pesticides and chemicals requiring SAG approval, and live animals and plants requiring SAG quarantine clearance.

Chile has particularly strict controls on agricultural imports to protect its unique ecosystems. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and plant materials are heavily regulated and often require fumigation or inspection upon arrival.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Packages to Chile travel long distances, especially to southern regions. Use heavy-duty corrugated boxes rated for international shipping. Wrap all items individually with bubble wrap or foam. Fill empty spaces with air pillows or packing peanuts to prevent shifting. Apply reinforced packing tape in H-pattern on all openings.

For agricultural or food products that have proper import permits, use sealed, airtight packaging to facilitate customs inspection. Include a detailed packing list in both English and Spanish inside the package. Address labels should include the full Chilean address with the comuna (municipality) name, which is essential for accurate delivery in Chile.

Tracking and Insurance Options

USPS tracking works through the US system and transfers to Correos de Chile, where tracking updates may be less frequent. Private carriers maintain consistent tracking throughout the delivery process, including customs clearance milestones.

USPS includes up to $200 insurance with Priority Mail Express International. UPS and FedEx offer declared value coverage up to $50,000. Given Chile's generally reliable postal and carrier infrastructure, package loss rates are relatively low, but insurance is recommended for shipments valued over $200.

How to Save on International Shipping

The US-Chile FTA is your biggest savings tool. Ensure all shipments include proper origin documentation to qualify for duty-free treatment and avoid paying the standard 6% tariff unnecessarily. Use atoship for commercial carrier rates at 40% to 89% below retail.

Keep individual package values under $30 when possible to benefit from the de minimis threshold and avoid both duties and IVA. Use USPS flat-rate boxes for heavy items that fit within size limits. Consolidate shipments to reduce shipping costs per item. Choose economy services when delivery time is flexible.

For regular commercial shippers, consider working with a Chilean customs broker to establish a systematic import process that ensures FTA benefits are consistently applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Chile take? Express services deliver in 2 to 5 business days. Economy services take 7 to 21 days. Customs clearance adds 1 to 3 days typically.

Do I pay duties shipping from the US to Chile? Most US-origin goods enter Chile duty-free under the US-Chile FTA. However, 19% IVA (value-added tax) applies to all imports valued above $30. You need proper origin documentation to claim FTA benefits.

What is Chile's de minimis threshold? Packages valued under $30 USD are exempt from duties and IVA. Above $30, IVA at 19% applies even if the goods qualify for duty-free FTA treatment.

Can I ship food items to Chile? Chile has very strict phytosanitary controls. Commercially packaged, non-perishable food items may be shipped, but fresh produce, meat, dairy, and plant materials require SAG permits and often face inspection or fumigation.

How does the US-Chile FTA help me save money? The FTA eliminates the standard 6% customs duty on virtually all US-origin goods. For a $500 shipment, that saves $30 in duties. Over multiple shipments, the savings are substantial. You must include origin documentation on your commercial invoice.

Is it expensive to ship to southern Chile? Shipping to Patagonia and the extreme south of Chile costs more due to remote area surcharges and longer domestic transit. Expect an additional $10 to $30 and 3 to 7 extra days compared to Santiago.