How to Ship to Chile from the US

Chile is one of Latin America's most stable and open economies, and it has a free trade agreement with the US. This makes Chile one of the easier Latin American destinations for US shippers — many US goods enter duty-free or at reduced tariffs under the US-Chile FTA. Chilean ecommerce is growing rapidly, with demand for electronics, fashion, and specialty products.

Chile's VAT (IVA) is 19% and applies to most imports. However, the US-Chile FTA eliminates most tariffs on qualifying US-origin goods, so VAT may be the main import cost. The de minimis for gifts is $30 USD; commercial imports above $30 USD face Chilean customs processing. Correos de Chile (Chile Post) handles USPS final-mile delivery.

Carrier Options to Chile

USPS Priority Mail International

8-14 business days. Final delivery by Correos de Chile. Good value for packages under 2 lbs.

DHL Express Worldwide

3-5 business days. Strong Latin America network. Best for reliable transit.

FedEx International Priority

3-5 business days. Reliable to Santiago and major Chilean cities.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

4-6 business days. Good for commercial and B2B shipments.

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕Firearms and weapons without Chilean authorization

✕Narcotics and controlled substances

✕Counterfeit goods

✕Fresh fruit, vegetables, and soil without phytosanitary certificates (strict agricultural controls)

✕Certain food products without SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) approval

✕Live animals without CITES documentation

Chile-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 US-Chile FTA eliminates most tariffs on US-origin goods — include a certificate of origin to claim 0% duty

💡 Chile has strict agricultural import controls — never ship fresh fruit, soil, or live plants without proper certificates

💡 Chilean postal codes are 7 digits (e.g., 8320000 for Las Condes, Santiago)

💡 DHL and FedEx are fastest and most reliable for Chile

💡 VAT (19%) applies to most commercial imports even with FTA duty reduction

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Chile take?

USPS Priority Mail International: 8-14 business days. DHL/FedEx/UPS: 3-6 business days. Chilean customs is generally efficient — 1-2 business days clearance for properly documented packages.

Does the US-Chile FTA eliminate import duties?

Yes, for qualifying US-origin goods, the US-Chile FTA (in effect since 2004) has phased out most tariffs — many product categories are now 0% duty. Include a certificate of origin to claim these benefits. Chilean VAT (19%) still applies.

What happens if I ship food to Chile?

Chile has strict agricultural biosecurity controls (SAG). Fresh fruit, vegetables, soil, seeds, and live plants without phytosanitary certificates will be seized and destroyed. Shelf-stable processed food with proper labeling is generally allowed.

What's the cheapest way to ship to Chile?

USPS Priority Mail International for packages under 2 lbs (~$22-32). For heavier items, DHL eCommerce or FedEx International Economy offer better rates. Chile's FTA means most goods enter duty-free, reducing total cost.

Do I need Spanish on the customs forms?

No — English is acceptable on customs forms and labels for Chile. However, providing bilingual product descriptions (English/Spanish) can help expedite Chilean customs clearance.

How to Ship to Chile from the US

Typical 1 lb cost

Typical transit