Facts in this handbook are compiled from official sources such as local authorities. Rules change — confirm the current position through the source links or with the authority before making major decisions.
01Overview
- Region
- Latin America
- Capital
- Santiago
- Currency
- CLP
- Languages
- Spanish
- ISO code
- CL / CHL
Jurisdictions
- Chile — National level; special zones and regulated sectors have separate rules
Macro indicators such as GDP and population will be added from the World Bank in the data release (P1).
02Market Entry
Industries to study: Agriculture, food & minerals
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
Highly open; most sectors have no foreign limits
- Applies to
- International land transport, fishing, coastal shipping, broadcasting and media are restricted; land within 10 km of borders generally cannot be sold to foreigners
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
03Business Formation
Common legal entity
The company form most commonly used by foreign investors for a local operating entity.
Simplified joint-stock company (SpA) or limited liability company (Ltda.)
- Applies to
- Corporations (S.A.) and branches are also possible
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Registration authority
Primary authority for company or commercial registration.
Commerce Registry at the Conservador de Bienes Raíces (via notary)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Foreign ownership
Whether 100% foreign ownership is generally allowed, and key exceptions. Allowed / conditional / not allowed / unverified.
Highly open; most sectors have no foreign limits
- Applies to
- International land transport, fishing, coastal shipping, broadcasting and media are restricted; land within 10 km of borders generally cannot be sold to foreigners
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Foreign-entity setup flow
Main approval stages for a foreign investor setting up an entity (no time estimates).
Obtain a foreign-investor RUT → incorporate via the RES platform or by notarial deed → for the notarial route, register with the Commerce Registry and publish in the Official Gazette → start-of-activities filing with the SII
- Applies to
- Excludes processing time estimates
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Registro de Empresas y Sociedades
Local director / representative
Whether a locally resident director, manager or representative is required.
A legal representative domiciled in Chile is required
- Applies to
- Non-residents can obtain a tax ID through a local agent
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Registro de Empresas y Sociedades
Local registered address
Whether a local registered address or premises is required at incorporation.
A domicile in Chile is required
- Applies to
- A compliant office address is acceptable
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Registro de Empresas y Sociedades
04Taxation
Headline corporate income tax
Statutory headline rate for ordinary companies, before incentives, exemptions, thresholds or special regimes. Always read with the conditions.
27%
- Applies to
- Companies with revenue up to 75,000 UF pay 25%; a reform passed by Congress in August 2026 would cut the large-company rate gradually to 23% by 2029, pending constitutional review and promulgation
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- State Taxation Administration
- Cross-check
-
Tax Guide for Chinese Residents Investing in Chile consistent
Indirect tax (VAT / GST / SST)
Standard rate and type of VAT, GST or sales & service tax.
VAT (IVA) 19%
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)
Dividend withholding tax (non-residents)
General withholding on dividends paid to foreign shareholders, before treaty relief.
35% additional withholding tax on dividends to non-resident shareholders
- Applies to
- Corporate tax already paid is creditable; treaty-country residents have specific rules
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)
Tax authority
Authority responsible for corporate tax registration and filing.
Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- State Taxation Administration Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)
Tax treaty with China
Whether a double taxation agreement with China is in force. Rates and conditions per the treaty text.
In force
- Applies to
- Rates and conditions per the treaty text and STA publications
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- State Taxation Administration (China) State Taxation Administration
05Banking & Payments
Exchange controls
Whether general exchange controls or cross-border fund rules apply.
Foreign capital must be reported to the Central Bank through a commercial bank
- Applies to
- Capital and returns can be repatriated under the rules
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Banking & financial regulator
Primary regulator for banking and foreign exchange.
Central Bank of Chile; Financial Market Commission (CMF)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
06Employment
Foreign employee work permit
Main permit types needed for foreign employees to work legally.
Work visa from the Interior Ministry's Migration Service
- Applies to
- Firms with more than 25 staff may employ at most 15% foreigners
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Labour & work permit authority
Authority for labour rules and foreign employee work permits.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security; Ministry of the Interior (work visas)
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Social security contributions
Main employer social security schemes for local and foreign employees.
Individual-account pensions (AFP), health insurance (Fonasa / Isapre) and unemployment insurance
- Applies to
- Foreign professionals may be exempt from pension contributions if conditions are met
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Superintendency of Pensions
07Trade & Customs
Customs authority
Authority for import/export clearance and tariffs.
National Customs Service
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Main free trade agreements
Main regional and bilateral trade agreements relevant to Chinese exporters (not exhaustive).
China–Chile FTA (upgraded) and others
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
08Investment & Manufacturing
Investment authority / agency
Body responsible for approving, registering or promoting foreign investment.
Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (InvestChile)
- Applies to
- Under the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
Free zone / SEZ regime
Whether free zones or special economic zones operate under rules different from the mainland.
Iquique and Punta Arenas free trade zones
- Applies to
- Ordinary companies
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- MOFCOM
09Digital & IP
IP office
Authority for trademark and patent filing and registration.
National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI)
- Applies to
- Trademark rights are territorial; register locally or designate via the Madrid System (check WIPO membership)
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- WIPO
Personal data protection law
Main law and regulator governing collection, use and cross-border transfer of personal data.
Law 19.628, being overhauled by Law 21.719
- Applies to
- Law 21.719 creates a Personal Data Protection Agency; check the BCN text for its commencement date
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- Library of the National Congress of Chile
10Compliance & Risk
New York Convention party
Whether the country is party to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, which affects enforcing foreign arbitral awards locally.
Yes
- Applies to
- Foreign arbitral awards can be enforced under the Convention, subject to its limited refusal grounds
- Jurisdiction
- Chile
- Source
- UNCITRAL
Live risk monitoring
Geopolitical, conflict and trade-route risk events for Americas, monitored by our sister site Global Risk Monitor.
Global Risk Monitor · Geopolitical and trade-route risk monitoring
11Step-by-Step
Main setup steps in Chile
- 1Obtain a foreign-investor RUT
- 2incorporate via the RES platform or by notarial deed
- 3for the notarial route, register with the Commerce Registry and publish in the Official Gazette
- 4start-of-activities filing with the SII
General checklist (setting up a subsidiary)
- Decide model and jurisdiction
- Confirm licences
- Prepare documents
- Incorporate
- Register for tax
- Open bank account
- Obtain operating licences
- Start operations
Steps follow the setup-procedure fact on this page, without times or fees; rely on the official sources.
12Official Resources
Chinese official resources
Country materials from MOFCOM, the State Taxation Administration and China's overseas commercial offices
- MOFCOM country investment guideMOFCOM · PDF (Chinese)
- Country tax guide (STA)State Taxation Administration · PDF
- Commercial office中华人民共和国驻智利共和国大使馆经济商务处
- MOFCOM going-global platformMOFCOM
- Compliance & security alertsMOFCOM platform
Official guides are long Chinese-language PDFs updated on the publishers' schedules. Our structured facts cite local authorities as primary sources; use these guides to cross-check.
Local authorities
- Tax Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) Tax authority website · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Legislation Library of the National Congress of Chile Law 21.719 on personal data protection · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Labour Superintendency of Pensions Social security · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Company registration Registro de Empresas y Sociedades Company formation · Accessed 2026-11-13