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 are not included yet; see official statistics such as the World Bank.
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 Chileconsistent
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 AdministrationServicio 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
- TaxServicio de Impuestos Internos (SII)Tax authority website · Accessed 2026-11-13
- LegislationLibrary of the National Congress of ChileLaw 21.719 on personal data protection · Accessed 2026-11-13
- LabourSuperintendency of PensionsSocial security · Accessed 2026-11-13
- Company registrationRegistro de Empresas y SociedadesCompany formation · Accessed 2026-11-13