🇨🇱 How Much Does It Cost to Import a Car to Chile?
Combined import taxes in Chile run about 20%–21% of a vehicle's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $2,000–$2,100 in duties and taxes — before ocean freight and local clearance. Below is the full 2026 breakdown, then a free calculator for your exact car.
Calculate my exact landed cost →
Key import facts for Chile
- Combined import taxes (petrol/diesel): ~20%–21% of CIF
- Electric vehicles: ~19%–19.6% of CIF (EV incentives apply)
- Maximum vehicle age: no hard limit, but escalating over-age penalties
- Used-car imports: restricted — verify conditions
- Driving side: left-hand drive (LHD)
- Local currency: CLP
Ocean freight to Chile
| Destination port | RoRo (1 car ≈ 12.5 CBM) | 40HQ container (2–3 cars) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | $1,188–$1,500 | $2,800–$3,350 | 30–40 days |
| Valparaíso | $1,188–$1,500 | $2,800–$3,350 | 30–40 days |
| Iquique (ZOFRI) | $1,225–$1,550 | $2,900–$3,500 | 32–42 days * |
RoRo cost shown for a midsize car (~12.5 CBM). A 40-foot high-cube container is shared across multiple cars. Figures marked * are estimates — confirm live rates with your forwarder.
Before you buy: entry rules for Chile
These decide whether a vehicle can enter at all. Getting them wrong costs a container, not a margin.
- Age limit: no hard cap — counted from the year of manufacture. Used imports are restricted to specific categories of buyer and to the free zones; new vehicles are the standard commercial channel.
- Steering: LHD country. RHD units must be converted before registration.
- Pre-shipment inspection: 3CV homologation (Ministerio de Transportes — 3CV) — Models sold in Chile must hold a 3CV homologation certificate covering exhaust and evaporative emissions plus safety, dimensional and functional requirements. New units can take an individual electronic certificate (CHI-e).
Worked example: a $10,000 car, step by step
Every figure below is derived, not asserted — this is the same arithmetic our calculator runs. Base: $10,000 CIF (vehicle + freight + insurance at the destination port), a mid-size petrol car, new.
| Line | Rate | Charged on | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 0% | CIF | $0 |
| VAT | 19% | CIF + duty | $1,900 |
| Para-fiscal levies | 1.5% | CIF — statistical, community and shipper-council levies | $150 |
| Duties and taxes | 20.5% | of CIF | $2,050 |
| Terminal charges | — | per 40HQ | $525 |
| Customs broker | — | per entry | $225 |
| Landed cost | — | CIF + taxes + port + clearance | $12,800 |
Excludes inland delivery, registration and any age-penalty tax. Change the vehicle, engine size or year in the calculator to re-derive this for your own unit.
Port charges and clearance in Chile
On top of duties and taxes you pay the terminal and your broker. These are not part of the tax figures above.
| Charge | Typical range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal / carrier charges (THC, DO, security) | $400–$650 | per 40HQ |
| Customs broker / clearance fee | $150–$300 | per entry |
| Combined | $750 typical | per container |
Paperwork you must have
- FORM F certificate of origin (China–Chile FTA)
Important: Without FORM F you lose the 0% FTA duty and pay the MFN rate — it is the single most valuable document on this lane.
Ask your carrier for 14–21 days of destination free time (demurrage/detention) at booking — congested ports and high inspection rates make this the cheapest insurance you can buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much are import duties and taxes on a car in Chile?
Combined import taxes (duty, excise and VAT) run about 20%–21% of the car's CIF value. On a $10,000 (CIF) car that is roughly $2,000–$2,100 in duties and taxes, before ocean freight and local port/clearance fees.
How long does it take to ship a car to San Antonio, Chile?
Ocean transit to San Antonio is typically 30–40 days, depending on the origin port and sailing schedule.
Can I import a used car into Chile?
Used-car imports into Chile are restricted — extra conditions or approvals may apply, so verify the current rule with a licensed customs broker before buying.
Does Chile require left-hand or right-hand drive vehicles?
Chile drives on the right, so left-hand-drive (LHD) vehicles are the standard.
Compare with nearby markets
Duty, VAT and age rules change sharply across a border — the same car can land 20 points cheaper one country over.
- Bolivia — combined import tax 37.5%–48.5% of CIF
- Colombia — combined import tax 64%–70% of CIF
- Costa Rica — combined import tax 52%–53% of CIF
- Ecuador — combined import tax 60%–80% of CIF
- Peru — combined import tax 23.9%–66% of CIF
Related guides
- Importing Chinese EVs: incentives and traps
- How import taxes are calculated (CIF, duty, VAT, excise)
- RoRo vs container: which is cheaper for cars
Estimate your exact cost
Tax rates, car age and engine size all change the final number. Use the free AutoLanded calculator to get a line-by-line landed cost for your specific vehicle and destination port.