Chile’s Export Declaration (DUS): What It Is, Its Stages and the Form

Oct 14

4 min read

All goods exported from Chile must be declared to Chile’s National Customs Service before leaving the country. The document used to do this is the Documento Único de Salida, known as the DUS: Chile’s single export declaration.

Whether you’re exporting from Chile for the first time or buying from a Chilean supplier and want to understand the process on their side, this guide explains what the DUS is, what it’s used for, its stages and what information the form includes. For a broader view of foreign trade documentation, see our article on customs documents.

What is the DUS?

The DUS (Documento Único de Salida, or Single Exit Document) is the customs declaration used to report the export of goods from Chile. It details what is being exported, its value, who is exporting it, where it’s going and by which transport mode.

It’s called “single” because it brings together, in one form, the information that different government agencies need to control and record the export.

What is the DUS used for?

The DUS serves three main purposes:

It authorizes shipment. Without an accepted DUS, the cargo can’t enter the loading area at the port or airport.
It certifies the export. It’s the official record that the goods left the country, for both Customs and Chile’s Internal Revenue Service (SII).
It supports export VAT recovery. Chilean exporters can recover the VAT paid on purchases related to their exports, and the DUS is one of the documents that proves the operation.

Who must file the DUS?

According to Chilean Customs, exports valued above US$2,000 must be processed through a licensed customs broker, who prepares and submits the DUS on the exporter’s behalf.

Below that amount, exporters can file on their own using a simplified version of the document, the DUSSI (Documento Único de Salida Simplificado).

The two stages of the DUS

Unlike the import declaration (DIN), the DUS is processed in two stages.

Acceptance for processing (DUS-AT)

This is the first stage and takes place before shipment. The customs broker submits the DUS with the information available at that point. Once accepted for processing, the goods can enter the primary customs zone and be loaded.

At this stage, some data may be provisional, such as the exact weight or the final value, because the operation hasn’t been completed yet.

Legalization of the DUS

This is the second stage and takes place after shipment. The DUS is completed with the final details of the operation, including weight, quantities and final value. Once legalized, the export is formally closed with Customs.

For goods exported on consignment, where the final price is only known after the sale at destination, the value is adjusted later through a Value Variation Report (Informe de Variación de Valor, or IVV).

The DUS form: what information it includes

The official DUS format is set out in Chile’s Compendium of Customs Regulations (Annex 35). Although it’s now filed electronically, it’s worth knowing what it includes, since the exporter must provide this information to the customs broker:

Exporter: company name and Chilean tax ID (RUT).
Customs broker handling the operation.
Consignee: who receives the goods at destination.
Destination country and ports or airports of loading and unloading.
Transport mode: sea, air or land.
Sales term (Incoterm): for example, FOB or CIF.
Sale type: firm sale, conditional sale or consignment.
Description of the goods and tariff code.
Quantity, weight and number of packages.
FOB value of the goods.

Having this information ready, and consistent with the export invoice, is what speeds up acceptance the most.

DUS vs. DIN: what’s the difference?

Both are customs declarations, but they serve opposite purposes:

	DUS	DIN
Operation	Export	Import
Full name	Documento Único de Salida (Single Exit Document)	Declaración de Ingreso (Import Declaration)
Stages	Two: acceptance for processing and legalization	One: filed, then duties and taxes are paid
Customs broker required above	US$2,000	US$1,000 FOB

Common mistakes when filing the DUS

Discrepancies between the invoice and the DUS. If the value, quantity or description don’t match, Customs may flag the declaration and delay shipment.

Providing information too late. Without an accepted DUS, the cargo can’t enter the port and may miss its booked vessel or flight.

Failing to legalize the DUS. Since the cargo has already sailed, this step is easy to forget, but skipping it can lead to fines and complicate export VAT recovery.

Forgetting destination certificates. Many products, such as fresh fruit or food, require additional certificates, like the phytosanitary certificate issued by Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG). They aren’t part of the DUS, but without them the cargo may be rejected at destination.

Export with Victoria Line Group

Victoria Line Group has supported Chilean exporters since 1998. We coordinate sea, air and land transport, book space with shipping lines and airlines, and work alongside the customs broker so your DUS is accepted on time and your cargo doesn’t miss its shipment.

Preparing an export from Chile? Get a quote from our team and we’ll review what your cargo needs to leave Chile smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

What does DUS stand for? DUS stands for Documento Único de Salida, or Single Exit Document. It’s the customs declaration used to export goods from Chile.

Who issues the DUS? It’s prepared and submitted by a licensed customs broker on behalf of the exporter. For exports of up to US$2,000, the exporter can file a simplified DUS (DUSSI) on their own.

What is the DUS-AT? It’s the DUS at the acceptance-for-processing stage. It’s filed before shipment and authorizes the cargo to enter the loading area.

Where can I find the DUS form? The official format is in Annex 35 of Chile’s Compendium of Customs Regulations, available on the National Customs Service website. In practice, the customs broker files it electronically.

What happens if the DUS isn’t legalized? The export remains incomplete with Customs, which can lead to fines and complicate procedures with the SII, such as export VAT recovery.