Chile charges a flat 6% customs duty on almost every import, including clothing. Since 16 May 2017, the expanded India–Chile Preferential Trade Agreement has cut that rate for a specific list of Indian garments, by 30% or 60%. It is not a zero-duty deal, and it does not cover every fabric: whether a garment qualifies depends on its fibre. This guide shows which garments get the margin, what it is worth on a shipment, and the certificate that claims it. Checked against Chilean customs sources on 7 October 2026.
A margin, not a zero rate
The agreement gives a margin of preference: a percentage off Chile’s 6% general rate. A 30% margin leaves 4.2%; a 60% margin leaves 2.4%. Lines that are not in Chile’s list keep the full 6%.
Which garments get it
| Garment from India | With PTA certificate | Without |
|---|---|---|
| Dresses: cotton or viscose, woven; cotton, knitted | 4.2% | 6% |
| Dresses: polyester, silk or linen woven; viscose or polyester knitted | 6% (not in the list) | 6% |
| Kaftans worn as dresses | As dresses above | 6% |
| Kaftans in a loose robe or cover-up cut: cotton | 2.4% | 6% |
| Kaftans in a loose robe or cover-up cut: other fibres | 6% (not in the list) | 6% |
| Skirts: cotton, woven | 4.2% | 6% |
| Skirts: other fibres, woven or knitted | 6% (not in the list) | 6% |
| Scarves: cotton or linen, woven | 2.4% | 6% |
| Scarves: viscose, woven | 4.2% | 6% |
| Scarves: silk, wool or polyester woven; knitted scarves | 6% (not in the list) | 6% |
The pattern is clear: Chile’s list favours cotton and viscose. A polyester or silk version of the same dress gets no reduction.
What it is worth on a shipment
Chile values imports on a CIF basis and charges 19% IVA on the CIF value plus duty. Take garments invoiced at CLP 10,000,000, with CLP 600,000 freight and CLP 50,000 insurance (CIF CLP 10,650,000):
| No certificate (6%) | Cotton dresses with certificate (4.2%) | Cotton robe-cut kaftans with certificate (2.4%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | CLP 639,000 | CLP 447,300 | CLP 255,600 |
| IVA, 19% of (CIF + duty) | CLP 2,144,910 | CLP 2,108,487 | CLP 2,072,064 |
The duty saving is CLP 191,700 on the dresses and CLP 383,400 on the robe-cut kaftans. The IVA is normally recovered as input tax by a registered business, so the duty line is the real saving.
How to claim it
- Chilean customs needs an India–Chile PTA certificate of origin issued in India. Indian exporters apply through the government’s eCoO platform.
- The certificate must cover the garment line being entered. If the line is not in Chile’s list, the certificate does not lower the duty.
- Describe the fibre content on the invoice. The fibre decides whether the line is in the list at all.
Check your own garment
- Import duty on garments from India to Chile, every garment and fibre with a calculator
- Kaftans · Scarves · Dresses · Skirts
We manufacture cotton and viscose garments in India and arrange the PTA certificate of origin for qualifying shipments. Talk to us about the Chilean market.
Sources
- Servicio Nacional de Aduanas (Chile): India–Chile PTA, Chile’s list of concessions (2017)
- Servicio Nacional de Aduanas (Chile): ¿Cuánto impuesto se paga al importar? (6% duty, 19% IVA)
- DGFT, Government of India: Certificate of origin (eCoO)
Indicative information from official Chilean sources, written 7 October 2026. Rates verified on against the official tariffs. It is not a customs ruling; confirm the line and margin with your customs agent before you rely on it.
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