Which airports and ports in Chile do you ship to?
- Air: Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) handles most of Chile’s air cargo. Shipments to other cities usually clear in Santiago and continue by road or domestic flight. There is no direct cargo flight from Helsinki, so shipments connect in a European hub, or sometimes in the United States, chosen by price, capacity and schedule.
- Sea: San Antonio and Valparaíso, both on the central coast near Santiago, are the main container ports. Full containers (FCL) and smaller shipments (LCL) both work.
How long does freight from Finland to Chile take?
| Service | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Air freight to Santiago | 1–3 days |
| Sea freight to San Antonio or Valparaíso | confirmed in the quote |
Indicative, updated 14 October 2026. Times run from handover in Finland and assume complete documents. Customs in Chile is not included.
What Chile requires on the documents
Before shipping we check that:
- The buyer can import: its Chilean tax number (RUT) is on the commercial invoice, packing list and waybill, and the name matches on all of them.
- A customs broker is appointed: imports into Chile are cleared by a licensed Chilean customs broker (agente de aduanas) working for the buyer, or by our partner.
- The invoice is complete: full goods description, HS code, quantity, unit price, total value, currency, Incoterm, country of origin, gross and net weight.
- Permits are in place for regulated goods: food, plants, animal products, medicines, cosmetics and some chemicals need approval from the relevant Chilean authority. The buyer’s customs broker confirms which permits apply.
- Wooden packaging is ISPM 15 treated and marked: Chile’s agricultural service (SAG) inspects it.
- Dangerous goods and lithium batteries are classified and packed under the IATA DGR before booking. Dangerous goods
Export from Finland
A shipment to Chile leaves the EU, so it needs an export declaration. Send us the commercial invoice, packing list and your EORI number, and any export licence for dual-use goods. Once the goods have left the EU, Finnish Customs confirms the export. Keep that confirmation: it proves the sale is zero-rated for VAT.
Lower duty with EU origin
The EU and Chile apply a trade agreement (the interim trade agreement, which continues the earlier tariff cuts). Goods that meet the agreement’s rules of origin can enter Chile at a reduced or zero rate. The exporter states the origin on the invoice or another commercial document, using the wording the agreement requires; for larger shipments the exporter may need to be registered in the EU’s REX system. We tell you what is needed before the goods are invoiced. Foreign trade consulting
Common problems on the Chile lane, and how we avoid them
- No RUT, or a different buyer name on the invoice and the waybill: clearance stops. We match the details before booking.
- Missing statement on origin: the buyer pays duty that could have been avoided. We check the origin wording on the invoice before the goods leave.
- Untreated or unmarked wooden pallets: SAG can order them treated, destroyed or returned at the importer’s cost. We check the ISPM 15 mark.
- Regulated goods without a permit: the goods arrive but cannot be released. We ask the buyer’s broker to confirm permits before shipping.
How it works
- Send the pickup address, destination, goods description, dimensions, weights and Incoterm.
- You get a price, routing and transit time.
- We collect the goods, check the documents and clear export in Finland.
- You get the AWB or B/L number for tracking.
- Our partner clears import in Chile and delivers.
Updated 14 October 2026 · Reviewed by Artem Tchervonni, Managing Director