Car Shipping UK to Chile — Complete 2026 Guide

Chile is more import-friendly than Brazil and Mexico but with strict SAG biosecurity inspection (similar to Australian AQIS) and 5-year general age limit. The Iquique free zone in the north provides an alternative pathway for older vehicles. UK to Chile car shipping in 2026 from £2,195 container via San Antonio. This guide covers ports, SAG requirements, age limits, IVA and the Iquique free zone option.

Primary arrival: San Antonio — Santiago's main port, west of capital. Valparaíso secondary container hub. Iquique for free zone imports in north. UK departure: Felixstowe via Hamburg/Antwerp feeder, Maersk and MSC sailings via Panama Canal. Freight cost 2026: container shared from £2,195; container sole from £3,295. Transit: 35–42 days via Panama; longer if via Cape during disruption. RoRo essentially unavailable to Chile.

Chilean general imports restricted to:

• 5 years or newer — general import to mainland Chile. 2021 vehicles in 2026.
• Returning residents — up to 7 years old with TR certification
• Diplomats — no age limit
• Classics 30+ years — heritage exemption with limited use restrictions
• Iquique free zone — no age limit, but vehicle must remain in zone or pay full duty to import to mainland

Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) inspects all imported vehicles for biosecurity threats. Requirements:

• Pre-shipment steam clean of undercarriage and engine bay
• No soil, plant matter, insects, mud anywhere
• Interior vacuumed including seat tracks and spare well
• Photographic evidence of clean condition
• SAG inspection at San Antonio arrival
• If failed: re-clean at port (£400–£800) or re-export

Iquique Free Zone (Zona Franca de Iquique, ZOFRI) in northern Chile allows duty-free vehicle storage and trading:

• No age limit for vehicles in zone
• No import duty while vehicle remains in zone
• Popular for re-export to Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay
• To leave zone for mainland Chile: full duty paid at exit
• ZOFRI registration fee USD 200–400

Chilean import duty: 6% (CIF basis, all UK origin vehicles). IVA (VAT): 19% on CIF + duty. Luxury car tax: 85% on portion of CIF exceeding USD 38,000 (~£30,000). Total UK-Chile example for £25,000 vehicle to Santiago: shipping £2,195 + duty £1,632 + IVA £5,476 + permiso de circulación £300 + SAG inspection £200 + broker £600 = ~£35,400 landed. 42% above vehicle value typical. Aduana Chile publishes current rates.

Chile car imports in 2026 are restricted by 5-year age limit (mainland), prohibited for RHD vehicles, and require SAG biosecurity inspection that fails 15–20% of poorly-cleaned vehicles. UK to Chile container shipping from £2,195 via Panama Canal with 35–42 day transit. Iquique free zone offers no-age-limit alternative with deferred duty. Plan total landed cost at 40–45% above vehicle value.

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