Importing products from Mexico to Chile is an excellent opportunity to incorporate goods with Latin American identity, competitive costs, and growing industrial innovation.
Mexico has positioned itself as an important trading partner in Latin America, so leveraging this relationship can benefit both small and large Chilean companies.
Below, we explain the essential steps to import from Mexico to Chile, the most common products, the transportation routes used, the risks involved, and the key points to ensure your operation is successful.
Steps to import from Mexico to Chile
Identify the right product
Select the Mexican products you wish to import and make sure they comply with Chilean legislation. Check labeling requirements, health standards, and quality certificates. If you want to import food, for example, ensure they have authorization from the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) and the Public Health Institute (ISP), if applicable.
Select reliable suppliers
Choose suppliers with export experience and good references. On platforms like ComexPoint, you can compare offers, evaluate commercial conditions, and select the supplier that best suits your needs and budget.
Review trade agreements
Chile and Mexico have had a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since 1999, which grants preferential access to thousands of products with tariff reductions. This agreement represents a significant competitive advantage when importing from Mexico.
Products benefiting from the agreement include:
- Processed foods and beverages: sauces, tortillas, avocados, tequila.
- Industrial products: auto parts, appliances, machinery.
- Textiles and footwear: cotton clothing, leather goods, handcrafted shoes.
- Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics: generic medicines and natural products.
- Educational materials: books and school supplies.
Complete the import procedures
Obtain your importer RUT from the National Customs Service of Chile.
Request the necessary documents: certificates of origin, health licenses, special permits depending on the product.
Work with a customs agent to help you comply with regulations and avoid delays in the entry of goods.
Choose the most suitable transport
Mexico and Chile are separated by over 6,000 km, so you can choose between maritime or air transport depending on the type of cargo, time, and budget. Our platform allows you to anticipate all your logistical costs.
Negotiate payment terms
Secure your transactions using safe payment systems such as a letter of credit, especially if it’s your first time working with the supplier.
Reception and distribution
Once the goods arrive in Chile, carry out a thorough inspection to verify that everything matches the agreement. Then, organize the distribution logistics according to your commercial strategy.
Transportation routes from Mexico to Chile
Maritime transport
Ports in Mexico:
- Port of Manzanillo
- Port of Veracruz
- Port of Lázaro Cárdenas
Ports in Chile:
- Port of Valparaíso
- Port of San Antonio
Air transport
Airports in Mexico:
- Benito Juárez International Airport (Mexico City)
- Guadalajara Airport
- Monterrey Airport
Airport in Chile:
- Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (Santiago)
Ideal products to import from Mexico to Chile
Food and beverages
- Tequila and mezcal: products with designation of origin, highly valued.
- Sauces and condiments: spicy sauces, guacamoles, moles.
- Traditional sweets: tamarind candies, alegrías, cajeta.
- Tortillas, beans, and avocados: with growing demand in the Mexican gastronomy sector in Chile.
Importing during Chilean or Mexican national holidays can boost the sales of these products.
Machinery and technology
- Electronic equipment: appliances, electronic components, refrigeration systems.
- Manufacturing and production machinery: Mexico is an industrial hub with export experience.
- Automotive technology: auto parts, batteries, assembly components.
Importing during the first semester of the year helps supply industries during their technological renewal cycles.
Textiles and footwear
- Embroidered and handcrafted clothing: with high cultural value and commercial differentiation.
- Leather footwear: especially from León, Guanajuato, known for its quality.
- Cotton and denim clothing: ideal for private labels or retail.
The best months to import fashion are January–March (autumn–winter) and July–August (spring–summer).
Risks and prohibitions when importing from Mexico to Chile
Common risks
- Incomplete or incorrectly issued documentation.
- Delays in customs clearance or release.
- Quality issues or failure to comply with regulations.
Specific prohibitions
- Food without SAG sanitary certification.
- Medications without ISP approval.
- Counterfeit products or those infringing intellectual property rights.
- Hazardous materials or weapons without special permits.
Final tips
- Stay informed about foreign trade updates between both countries.
- Evaluate product demand in the local market before importing large volumes.
- Consider using platforms like ComexPoint, where you can calculate your logistics costs, find suppliers, and coordinate your supply chain from one place.
