Furniture Sourcing from China to Chile
Chile is one of the most open markets in Latin America for importing furniture from China, thanks to a free trade agreement that has been in force since 2006. For hotel, residential and commercial projects in Santiago, Viña del Mar, the north and the south, that makes custom furniture from China especially competitive, provided the paperwork is right. Chinify helps Chilean developers, hotel owners and interior designers source furniture from verified factories in Foshan, China, and coordinates samples, production, quality control and export.
This page sums up what you need to know before importing furniture from China to Chile: duties under the trade agreement, IVA, customs agent rules, documents, SAG controls, ports and timing.
Import duties and IVA for furniture
Chile’s general import duty is 6% of the CIF value. Under the Chile–China Free Trade Agreement, furniture, mattresses and lighting from China (HS chapter 94) have been fully liberalised, so they can enter at 0% duty when you present a valid certificate of origin under the agreement.
| With FTA certificate of origin | Without it | |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty on furniture, mattresses and lighting (chapter 94) | 0% | 6% of CIF |
| IVA | 19% of CIF | 19% of CIF + duty |
Illustrative example: for furniture with a CIF value of USD 100,000, with a valid certificate of origin you pay no duty and USD 19,000 of IVA. Without the certificate, you pay USD 6,000 of duty and USD 20,140 of IVA. Customs agent fees, port charges and inland transport come on top in both cases.
Always confirm the classification and the preferential rate for each HS code with your customs agent before ordering.
The certificate of origin is what saves the 6%
- The certificate is issued in China in the format of the Chile–China agreement and is valid for one year.
- It must match the commercial invoice: product descriptions, quantities and HS codes.
- If the invoice is issued by a company outside China, for example a trading company in a third country, the certificate must declare it correctly and name the Chinese producer. Chilean Customs has denied the preferential rate when this was done wrong.
We arrange the certificate of origin with each shipment and check it against the invoice and packing list before the goods leave China.
Customs agent and other requirements
- Customs agent: imports with an FOB value above USD 1,000 must be cleared through a licensed agente de aduanas, so every project shipment needs one.
- Lighting and electrical products: products on the list of the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) must be certified by an SEC-authorised body before they can be sold in Chile. Check with your agent which of your fixtures are affected, so we request the right test reports.
- SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service): goods are presented to SAG at the port of entry. Wooden pallets and crates must meet ISPM-15 (NIMF 15) and carry the mark, and bamboo items need a phytosanitary certificate with fumigation. Tell us early if your project includes bamboo, rattan or untreated wood.
Documents for a shipment to Chile
We prepare the export documents; your customs agent completes the Chilean side. Chilean Customs requires:
- Original bill of lading
- Original commercial invoice
- Sworn price declaration (declaración jurada del precio), signed by the importer
- Mandate to the customs agent
- When applicable: certificate of origin under the FTA, packing list, insurance certificate and any certifications or approvals (such as SEC or SAG)
Ports and ocean transit
- San Antonio: Chile’s largest container port and the usual entry point for Santiago and central Chile.
- Valparaíso: the other main port for central Chile.
- Northern and southern ports such as Iquique, Antofagasta (Puerto Angamos) and the Biobío ports (San Vicente, Coronel, Lirquén) for projects outside the central zone.
As an example from a published carrier schedule (August 2026), one Asia–South America service took 37 days from Shekou to San Antonio, and another 50 days from Yantian to Valparaíso, both counted from the last South China port. Transit time varies a lot by service, so ask your forwarder for the current schedule and add time for port handling, clearance and inland transport.
A realistic timeline
For a custom hotel or residential package, plan on roughly 4 to 6 months from approved drawings to furniture on site. Chile is one of the longer ocean routes from South China, so build the shipping time into your schedule from the start.
What Chinify coordinates
- Specification of every item and FOB Foshan quotations you can compare
- Factory matching, samples and three-stage quality control with photos and signed reports
- Certificate of origin under the Chile–China FTA, checked against invoice and packing list
- ISPM-15 compliant packing, consolidation, loading and export documents
- Coordination with your forwarder and customs agent in Chile
Import clearance, IVA and SAG or SEC procedures are handled in Chile by your customs agent. The full process is on how we work.
Related
See our hotel furniture page and the catalog, read the guide to importing furniture from China and how to buy hotel furniture from China, or go back to Latin America.
Send us your Chilean project scope and we will reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on furniture from China to Chile?
Chile’s general import duty is 6% of the CIF value, but furniture, mattresses and lighting from China can enter at 0% under the Chile–China Free Trade Agreement with a valid certificate of origin. IVA at 19% applies in both cases, on the CIF value plus any duty.
What do I need to claim 0% duty under the Chile–China FTA?
A certificate of origin issued in China in the agreement’s format, valid for one year and consistent with the commercial invoice. If the invoice comes from a company outside China, the certificate must declare it correctly, or Customs can deny the preference.
Do I need a customs agent to import furniture into Chile?
Yes, for any shipment with an FOB value above USD 1,000, which includes every project shipment. The agent files the declaration and also handles SAG and, where needed, SEC requirements.
Does wooden furniture need SAG inspection in Chile?
Imported goods are presented to SAG at the port of entry, and wooden pallets and crates must meet ISPM-15. Bamboo items need a phytosanitary certificate with fumigation. Check with your customs agent whether any of your items, such as rattan or untreated wood, need extra treatment.
How long does furniture take to arrive in Chile from China?
It depends on the service: one carrier schedule from August 2026 showed 37 days from Shekou to San Antonio and 50 days from Yantian to Valparaíso. For a custom project, plan about 4 to 6 months from approved drawings to delivery on site.
Tell us about your project
Send us the location, the type of project, the areas to furnish, drawings or references and your timeline. We reply within 24 hours.