Chile Shipping & Selling eCommerce Guide

Why should you consider shipping to Chile? For starters, it ranks as one of Latin America’s largest and fastest-growing eCommerce markets!

But before you start shipping to Chile, it’s important to have a better grasp of the ins and outs of its eCommerce market. To that end, here’s a closer look at some important market insights, popular online marketplaces in the country, import restrictions, tax and duty information and more!

Surging eCommerce Sales Revenue in Chile

With a population of over 18 million, Chile is Latin America’s seventh most-populated country and has much to offer to eCommerce retailers.

Over 77 percent of Chileans - more than 14 million people - have access to the Internet, with approximately 40 percent making purchases online. The Chilean economy is also encouraging, with the country’s GDP-per-capita standing being $15,346.45 and rising as of 2017.

The Chilean eCommerce market has shown particularly strong growth as the Latin American market booms, with an online shopping growth rate of approximately 27 percent in 2018. eCommerce sales revenue has also skyrocketed in the country in recent years, rising from about $353,000 in 2007 to roughly $4 billion in 2017.

As of 2017, 56 percent of the total web traffic in Chile comes from desktops and laptops while 42 percent traffic is from mobile phones, a figure that’s grown sharply in recent years.

All of these factors and more make shipping from the U.S. and elsewhere to Chile a great opportunity for any eCommerce business. The country’s solid Internet penetration, surging eCommerce revenue and the growing popularity of mobile eCommerce make it attractive for online merchants all over the world.

Local Online Marketplaces Remain Popular in Chile

Some online marketplaces in Chile are global in scope, though many local ones remain very popular too. A few of them include:

• Amazon
• AliExpress
• Walmart.com
• CornerShop
• Yapo.cl
• Mercadolibre.cl
• Falabella.com
• Sodimac.cl
• Ripley.cl

Clothing, Electronics Popular to Buy Online in Chile

If you’re looking into shipping to Chile, it's important to better understand what sells in the country. Apparel and electronic and media items are among the most popular products for online shoppers in Chile, with a few other top product categories being:

• Clothing and shoes
• Electronics and media items
• Mobile phones
• Household appliances
• Home and furniture

Other items that online retailers have found success in shipping to Chile include concert tickets, toys and health and beauty products.

Credit and Debit Cards are Top Payment Methods

Every county has its own preferred payment options - and Chile isn’t an exception! Some of the top payment methods in the country include:

• Credit and debit cards
• Bank transfers
• Servipag

It’s important that online merchants offer their customers a variety of payment options, as this can significantly reduce cart abandonment!

Chile Has Its Own Version of Cyber Monday in May

Just like the United States has “Cyber Monday”, Chile has its own annual “Cyber Day” in late May.

This has been in practice since 2014 and is geared towards encouraging significant online shopping. If you’re looking into shipping to Chile, other popular holidays offer prime selling opportunities, including:

• New Year's Eve
• Good Friday
• Mother’s Day
• Father’s Day
• Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
• Chilean Independence Day
• All Saints Day
• Christmas

Shipping to Chile

Before your company starts shipping to Chile, it's important to have a solid grasp of the courier options available, import restrictions in the country and its taxes and duties. Here’s a closer look at all of that and more!

Local and International Couriers Available in Chile

Fortunately, many global couriers offer reliable shipping to Chile. A few options available to online merchants include:

• USPS
• Global Post
• DHL
• UPS
• SkyPostal
• APC

How much does it cost to ship to Chile? Be sure to use the Easyship shipping rates calculator to not only calculate shipping costs to Chile, but also compare shipping solutions to get the best deals available!

Shipping Restrictions and Prohibitions in Chile

Like every country, Chile imposes its own set of import restrictions and prohibitions to control the flow of goods into its borders. Here’s a closer look at just some of them!

Restricted Items in Chile:

• Pharmaceutical specialties
• Cosmetics
• Biological and biochemical preparations

Prohibited Items in Chile:

• Drugs, both prescription and nonprescription
• Medical samples
• Animal skins
• Animal products
• Narcotics

A more complete list of restricted and prohibited items in Chile can be found here.

VAT and Import Duties in Chile

Successful shipping to Chile also means understanding the country’s tax and duty system.

Currently, Chile imposes a VAT of 19 percent and has a tax and duty threshold of $30 USD, using CIF as a calculation.

Most product categories in the country are also subject to a six percent import duty, including mobile devices, computers, cameras, health and beauty products, jewelry, watches, fashion items and pet accessories.

When calculating your shipping cost to Chile, always be sure to use Easyship’s tax and duty calculator!

Chile: Latin America’s Booming eCommerce Market

Shipping from the U.S. and elsewhere to Chile is a great choice for just about any eCommerce business.

Easyship makes this much easier, offering more than 250 shipping solutions with discounted negotiated rates, not to mention help with shipment tracking and label generation.

Sign up today and finally start shipping to Chile!