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Chile

Chile

Chile is the most open car market in South America for new vehicles and our first established foothold in the region. Used vehicles face strict limits, so most buyers source new cars built in China. This guide covers the real framework for importing to Chile.

What are the rules for importing a car from China into Chile?
  • Age limit: Used vehicles: import for permanent circulation is generally prohibited (Law 18.483, Art. 21). Only free-trade zones (ZOFRI Iquique, Arica) may receive used vehicles for storage and re-export. New vehicles: no age restriction.
  • Import duty & taxes: New vehicles: 6% ad valorem import duty + 19% VAT (IVA). No additional luxury tax for standard passenger cars.
  • Authority & certification: National Customs Service (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas). Technical inspection & approval: 3CV. Emission standard: Euro VIc for new vehicles.

Import facts at a glance

Age limitUsed vehicles: import for permanent circulation is generally prohibited (Law 18.483, Art. 21). Only free-trade zones (ZOFRI Iquique, Arica) may receive used vehicles for storage and re-export. New vehicles: no age restriction.
Import duty & taxesNew vehicles: 6% ad valorem import duty + 19% VAT (IVA). No additional luxury tax for standard passenger cars.
SteeringLeft-hand drive (LHD) required.
Main ports / entryPacific ports: Valparaíso, San Antonio. Free-trade zones: Iquique (ZOFRI), Arica.
Authority & certificationNational Customs Service (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas). Technical inspection & approval: 3CV. Emission standard: Euro VIc for new vehicles.
Required documentsCommercial invoice, bill of lading, certificate of origin, 3CV technical certificate, proof of VAT payment.
Market focusThe region's most open market for new vehicles and our first established foothold. Used imports are in practice confined to the Iquique and Arica free-trade zones, which serve as storage and re-export platforms for the wider region.
How we support youChilean orders ship to Valparaíso or San Antonio with 3CV technical documentation prepared in advance; we also handle the documentation for units consigned into the Iquique and Arica free-trade zones.
Key watch-outsThe 3CV approval process and the Euro VIc emission requirement are updated periodically. The general prohibition on used-vehicle imports does not apply inside the free-trade zones, but units moving from a zone into the domestic market face separate conditions that should be confirmed in advance.
What to prepareConfirm whether you are selling domestically or distributing regionally — regional distribution runs through the free-trade zone route, which carries different documentation and release arrangements from a domestic import. It is also worth checking the emission standard your target model year meets.

Figures are indicative and based on Chilean customs and 3CV publications (aduana.cl, 3cv.cl). Chile prohibits used-vehicle import for permanent circulation (Law 18.483); confirm current rates and rules with the National Customs Service before shipping. Chilean duty and VAT rates for new vehicles have been stable, but the 3CV approval process and the Euro VIc requirement are updated periodically — confirm with the National Customs Service before shipping.

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Vehicles currently available — Chile

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Import guides

Import process: where shipments stallChina export ports by marketImport glossary: terms that decide a shipmentZOFRI Iquique: legal route for used cars

Our experience in this region — South America

EZ Auto's team has 15–20 years of experience in China's car export business. We have taken our first concrete step in Chile — building local presence and partnerships — and are now extending the same order-based, document-complete model across South America country by country. We do not rely on transshipment shortcuts; every car is sourced directly in China, inspected before payment, and shipped with full export documents. A typical order runs in seven steps: you confirm the model, specification and quantity; we source and verify availability in China; you approve the unit and we sign the contract; inspection takes place before payment; export clearance and booking are arranged in China; the vehicle sails from a Chinese port and we send you the shipping documents; you clear customs on arrival with your local broker. Payment terms, delivery windows and inspection scope are agreed in the contract for each order — we do not publish standing figures, because sourcing and freight conditions change. Our role ends at the destination port; import clearance and inland delivery are handled locally, with our document support throughout.

FAQ

Can EZ Auto ship cars to South America?
Yes. We export new and used Chinese vehicles to Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia, with full export documents and door-to-port logistics.
Do you handle import clearance in my country?
Export clearance in China is on us. Import clearance is handled by you or your local broker; we supply all documents and advise on requirements per country.
Why are used-car rules so different between countries?
Each country sets its own age limits, duties and emission standards. Chile restricts used imports; Peru and Ecuador allow recent used cars; Colombia mostly prohibits them. We tailor the sourcing (new vs used) to each market.
What documents do I receive?
Contract, commercial invoice, export declaration, certificate of origin, packing list and the vehicle's Chinese documents — enough for clearance in your destination country.
How long does delivery take?
Typically 30–55 days depending on the route (sea to Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia; overland via Chile for Bolivia). We keep you updated at every stage.
Should I start with new cars in Chile, or used cars in Peru and Ecuador?
It depends on the licence you hold and the working capital you want to commit. Chile is the most open market for new vehicles and already has a competitive dealer network; Peru and Ecuador admit recent used cars, so a used-car programme follows a different cost and inspection profile but faces tighter age, mileage and emission checks. Colombia is essentially a new-car market with preferential treatment for new energy models; Bolivia favours electric vehicles through duty exemptions. Several importers run two lines — new cars for Chile and Colombia, recent used cars for Peru and Ecuador.
How many cars fit in one container, and should I book FCL or LCL?
It depends on the model and the loading method. Compact SUVs and sedans are commonly loaded two to four units per 40ft container using racking or stacking, while larger SUVs and pickups may take fewer. Full container load (FCL) is the usual choice for a single order because the cargo stays sealed from door to door; less than container load (LCL) can be considered for a single unit alongside other cargo. Loading plans are confirmed per order — request one before you commit, because dimensions and weight limits decide the final count.
What are the payment terms?
Payment terms are agreed order by order and written into the contract — we do not quote standing terms here, because the structure depends on the model, the sourcing lead time and the shipping schedule. A contract typically sets out the deposit, the balance trigger and the documents released against each payment. Whatever the structure, you receive the full export document set against the agreed milestones. Please treat the signed contract as the only binding statement of terms.
How do we start?
Send us your target country, the models or body types you are considering, and the approximate volume. We reply with availability in China and a loading plan, and you can then confirm a unit for inspection. If it helps, tell us whether you are buying for retail, fleet or re-export — that changes which models and which condition (new or recent used) make sense in your market. There is no obligation until a contract is signed.

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