How to Import from China to Chile: A Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

China is Chile's main trading partner and the origin of much of the machinery, supplies, technology and consumer goods sold in the country. For many companies, importing directly from China is a way to improve margins, secure supply or access products that aren't available locally.

But between finding a supplier and having the goods in your warehouse, there are several decisions that directly affect the final cost and lead times. In this guide, we explain how to import from China to Chile step by step, which documents you need, how tariffs work under the Free Trade Agreement, and which mistakes to avoid.

Step 1: Find and vet your supplier

Everything starts with the supplier. Platforms like Alibaba, trade fairs like the Canton Fair, or sourcing agents in China are the most common channels. What matters isn't just price, but reliability.

Before paying, verify that the company exists and is registered, request product samples, review its export history, and put technical specifications, production times, packaging and payment terms in writing. A serious supplier will have no problem providing this information.

Step 2: Choose the Incoterm for your purchase

Incoterms are the international rules that define where the seller's responsibility ends and the buyer's begins: who pays for freight, who bears the risk, and at what point the cargo changes hands. The current version is Incoterms 2020.

For imports from China, the most common are:

EXW (Ex Works): the supplier makes the goods available at its factory. You take on everything else, including inland transport in China and export clearance. It shifts the most responsibility to you.

FOB (Free on Board): the supplier delivers the goods loaded on the vessel at the port of origin. From there, freight, insurance and destination costs are on you. It's the most recommended option for importers in Chile, because it lets you control international freight through your own forwarder.

CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight): the supplier pays freight and minimum insurance to the Chilean port. It seems more convenient, but you lose control over the shipping line, transit times and destination surcharges, which often end up making the operation more expensive.

Step 3: Choose how your cargo will travel

Ocean freight: FCL or LCL

Most imports from China travel by sea to the ports of San Antonio or Valparaíso. Port-to-port transit time is usually between 30 and 45 days, depending on the route and shipping line.

If your volume justifies a full container, the cargo travels as FCL (Full Container Load): you pay for the entire container and your goods aren't mixed with anyone else's. If you can't fill one, the option is LCL (Less than Container Load), or consolidated cargo: your goods share a container with other importers' cargo and you pay only for the space you use. It's the most common choice for small and medium-sized businesses and first-time importers.

Air freight

For urgent, high-value or low-volume cargo, air freight cuts transit time down to a few days. It costs more than ocean freight, so it's worth evaluating based on weight, volume and how urgent the shipment really is.

Step 4: Prepare your import documents

An incomplete or incorrect document can hold your cargo at port and generate storage fees. The basic documents for importing from China are:

• Commercial invoice, issued by the supplier, detailing the goods and their value.

• Packing list, detailing packages, weights and dimensions.

• Transport document: bill of lading (B/L) for ocean cargo or air waybill (AWB) for air cargo.

• Certificate of origin, essential to access the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement.

• Insurance policy, when applicable.

The certificate of origin and the Chile-China FTA

Chile and China have had a Free Trade Agreement in force since 2006. Thanks to it, the vast majority of Chinese-origin products enter Chile at a preferential 0% tariff, instead of the general 6% rate.

To qualify, the supplier must issue the certificate of origin under the Chile-China FTA. Without this document, or with errors in it, your cargo will pay the general tariff. Ask your supplier for it from the start of negotiations and review it before shipment.

Step 5: Check whether your product needs special permits

Some products require additional authorizations to enter Chile. For example, plant and animal products and wooden packaging are subject to controls by the SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service); cosmetics and medicines, by the ISP (Public Health Institute); food products, by the health authorities; and many electrical products must be certified by the SEC (Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels) before they can be sold.

Checking these requirements before buying prevents your goods from being held at customs or, in the worst case, having to be re-exported or destroyed.

Step 6: Clear your cargo through Chilean customs

When the cargo arrives at the port or airport, it must go through customs clearance with Chile's National Customs Service. In Chile, imports with an FOB value above US$1,000 must be processed through a licensed customs broker, who prepares the import declaration, classifies the goods and calculates duties and taxes.

At this stage you pay the tariff (0% if the FTA applies), 19% VAT and, depending on the product, other specific taxes. Your freight forwarder coordinates with the customs broker so the paperwork is ready before the cargo arrives and pickup isn't delayed.

Step 7: Pickup, warehousing and distribution

Once released, the cargo must be collected from the port or airport and moved to its final destination. If you don't have your own warehouse or need to distribute to several locations, you can outsource warehousing, inventory control and order preparation. That way, the goods are ready to sell or use without you having to coordinate each stage separately.

How much does it cost to import from China?

There's no single cost, because it depends on the product, volume, Incoterm and transport mode. What you can do is identify every component so there are no surprises.

The total cost of importing from China includes the value of the goods, international freight (ocean or air), cargo insurance, origin charges (if not covered by the supplier), port and handling charges at destination, customs broker fees, tariff and VAT, and transport to your warehouse.

The most common mistake is comparing only the product price with a local supplier's. The right comparison is between the total landed cost at your warehouse and the local price. That's why it's worth getting a full quote from your forwarder before closing the purchase.

Common mistakes when importing from China

Choosing the Incoterm without evaluating the total cost. An attractive CIF price can hide high destination surcharges.

Not reviewing the certificate of origin. An error in the document can cost you the FTA's preferential tariff.

Forgetting special permits. Finding out at the port that your product needed certification means delays and extra costs.

Underestimating lead times. Between production, transit and customs clearance, an ocean import can take two months or more. Plan with a buffer, especially before peak season.

Coordinating everything separately. Negotiating independently with the shipping line, customs broker, trucking company and warehouse multiplies the points of failure.

Import from China with Victoria Line Group

At Victoria Line Group, we have supported companies importing from China and the rest of the world since 1998. We coordinate ocean freight in FCL and LCL, air cargo on commercial and charter flights, customs management and final door-to-door delivery.

We also have sanitary-certified warehouses near major highways and Santiago International Airport, with warehousing, inventory control and pick and pack services. One operation, one point of contact.

Planning your next import? [Get a quote from our team] and we'll help you calculate the real landed cost at your warehouse.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to import from China to Chile? By sea, port-to-port transit usually takes between 30 and 45 days, plus production, loading and customs clearance time. By air, transit is reduced to a few days.

What tariff applies to products imported from China? Thanks to the Chile-China FTA, the vast majority of Chinese-origin products pay a 0% tariff, as long as a valid certificate of origin is presented. 19% VAT also applies.

Can foreign companies import into Chile? Yes, but the importer of record needs a Chilean tax ID (RUT). Many foreign companies work through a local subsidiary, distributor or partner, and rely on a local freight forwarder and customs broker to manage the operation.

Do I need a customs broker to import from China? Yes, if the FOB value of the goods exceeds US$1,000. Your freight forwarder can coordinate with the customs broker so the process runs smoothly.

Is LCL a good option for a first import? In most cases, yes. Consolidated cargo lets you ship small volumes by sea while paying only for the space you use, which reduces the risk of a first operation.