Money & duty free for Chile
Exchange rates:
Chilean PesoC$1 = CH$505.64
€1 = CH$705.38
£1 = CH$840.1
US$1 = CH$678.28
Currency & Money
Chilean Peso (CLP; symbol $) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of $20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of $500, 100, 50 and 10; 5 and 1 peso coins have been withdrawn from circulation and are no longer used.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Chile, particularly in cities, shopping centres, hotels and established restaurants. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used, and contactless payments are increasingly common. Digital payments are well established in urban areas, including mobile wallet systems and local payment apps. However, in smaller towns, markets and rural areas, cash may still be preferred, so carrying some Chilean pesos is advisable.
ATMs are widely available throughout cities and towns and are generally reliable. They are commonly found in banks, shopping centres and supermarkets. Most machines accept international cards and allow withdrawals in Chilean pesos. Daily withdrawal limits apply, and fees may be charged by both the local bank and the card issuer.
Chile does not impose strict limits on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into the country, but amounts exceeding US$10,000 (or equivalent in other currencies) must be declared upon entry. There are no significant restrictions on taking foreign currency out of Chile, provided the funds were declared upon entry or are of legal origin.
Currency exchange services are available at airports, banks and authorised exchange offices (casas de cambio). Rates at airport exchange counters are often less favourable than those in city centres. It is advisable to exchange money only at authorised outlets and avoid informal street exchangers.
Chile duty free
Travellers entering Chile may import certain goods without incurring customs duty.
• Adults aged 18 and over may bring up to 400 cigarettes (or equivalent tobacco products) and up to 2.5 litres of alcoholic drinks duty-free.
• Personal gifts and other non-commercial items may be imported up to a value of US$300 per traveller over the age of 14, and items purchased in duty-free shops on arrival may be brought in up to a value of US$675.
• In addition, personal electronics such as two mobile phones and one camera for personal use are generally permitted.
• Medication for personal use with a doctor's prescription is also admitted duty-free.
Chilean customs also recognises that non-commercial personal belongings may be imported under a broader allowance (up to roughly USD $4,050 total value under current rules), but goods suspected of being for commercial use or exceeding the personal thresholds must be declared and may incur duties and taxes or require customs brokerage.
Prohibited imports include illegal drugs and psychotropic substances, meat (fresh/confined animal products), raw foodstuffs of animal origin, seeds, soil, untreated wood products, pornographic material, hazardous waste, and certain hazardous chemicals. This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website or contact the embassy or consulate near you for the most up-to-date information.
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