Can I import a used car from Japan to mainland Chile?

Not under the general rules. Ley 18.483 Art. 21 prohibits the import of used passenger cars to mainland Chile for ordinary buyers. Exemptions apply only to returning residents (more than one year abroad, one vehicle), persons with disabilities, diplomats, and 30-year-old historic/collector vehicles.

What is the ZOFRI free zone and can I use it to get a Japanese car?

ZOFRI in Iquique is a duty-free free zone where used Japanese cars are traded legally — but those vehicles can only be bought and used within the zone. They cannot be nationalised and driven on mainland Chile under the standard rules.

I am a returning Chilean resident — can I import a car from Japan?

Yes, if you have lived abroad for more than one year you may be entitled to bring in one vehicle under the returning-resident exemption. Our team can source it from Japan's auctions and manage the full import process for you.

What duty applies if I am a qualifying importer?

For eligible imports the tariff is 6% ad valorem duty on the CIF value, plus 19% IVA on CIF plus duty. This is low by South American standards — the eligibility barrier is the real constraint, not the tax rate.

Does Chile require left-hand-drive cars?

Yes, Chile drives on the right, so LHD is required for vehicles on the mainland. Japan's domestic stock is RHD, which means only vehicles specifically built in LHD configuration can be used on Chilean roads.

Cost to import a car from Japan to Chile

Rates & rules last reviewed 1 July 2026

Chile is widely associated with Japanese used cars — but the reality is more restricted than the reputation suggests. Under Ley 18.483 Art. 21 (1985), the import of used passenger cars, motorcycles and light trucks to mainland Chile is prohibited for ordinary buyers. The ZOFRI free zone in Iquique does receive used vehicles from Japan, but cars sold within the zone cannot be nationalised and driven on the Chilean mainland — they stay within the free zone only. A small number of exemptions exist: a returning Chilean resident who has lived abroad for more than one year may bring in one vehicle (new or used); persons with disabilities qualify under Ley 20.422; diplomats are exempt; and vehicles 30 years or older may qualify as historic collector items under a separate customs resolution. If you are a returning resident or fall within another qualifying category, AskJapanCars can source the right car from Japan's USS auctions, manage shipping to the Port of San Antonio or Iquique, and work through the homologation and IVA requirements with you. The hypothetical tariff if the ban were lifted would be 6% ad valorem duty on CIF plus 19% IVA — modest by regional standards — but eligibility, not cost, is the primary question for Chile. Speak to our team first to confirm whether your situation qualifies.

Main ports: Port of Iquique (ZOFRI free zone)
Port of San Antonio
Import age rule: No formal maximum age limit in law, but used passenger cars cannot be imported to mainland Chile (Ley 18.483 Art. 21). Returning-resident exemption allows one vehicle (new or used) per person after 18+ months abroad. Vintage/historic vehicles (30+ years, for collection) may qualify under separate customs resolution.
Steering: LHD
Duties & taxes: MAINLAND IMPORT PROHIBITED for used passenger cars (Ley 18.483 Art. 21). Hypothetical tariff if ban were lifted: 6% ad valorem duty on CIF + 19% IVA on CIF+duty. ZOFRI Iquique: used cars traded within free zone only (exempt from duty and IVA); cannot be nationalized to mainland Chile.

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Estimate only — duties, freight and last-mile delivery vary and policies change. Our team confirms exact, current figures on WhatsApp before any bid.

How to import a car from Japan to Chile

Confirm you qualify for an exemption
The first and most important step for Chile. We will ask about your residency history, citizenship and purpose. If you are a returning resident (more than one year abroad), have a disability exemption or qualify as a diplomat or historic-vehicle buyer, we proceed. If not, we are honest that mainland import is blocked.
Choose a compliant vehicle
For returning residents the vehicle must be new or used and was owned abroad — we help confirm the rules for your case. For historic buyers the car must be 30+ years old. For mainland Chile, LHD is required; ZOFRI vehicles stay within the free zone.
Source the vehicle at Japanese auction
Once eligibility is confirmed, we use our licensed USS auction access to find the right car, read the full auction sheet and verify condition before bidding.
Pre-shipment inspection and homologation documents
Chile requires compliance with the Reglamento de Homologación — petrol vehicles need a catalytic converter. We prepare the technical and origin documentation required for Chilean customs.
Shipping to Port of San Antonio or Iquique
The car sails to the relevant Chilean port. San Antonio is the gateway for Santiago and central Chile; Iquique serves the north and the ZOFRI zone.
Customs, IVA and registration
On arrival we handle customs clearance, paying the applicable 6% ad valorem duty on CIF and 19% IVA, plus the homologation and CONAF/SERNAPESCA checks where required, then arrange delivery to your city.

Import duties & taxes in Chile explained

For mainland Chile, import of used passenger cars is prohibited by Ley 18.483 Art. 21 — a duty question does not arise for ordinary buyers because eligibility is the blocker. For returning residents or other qualifying cases, the hypothetical tariff structure is 6% ad valorem duty on the CIF value, plus 19% IVA (Chilean VAT) applied to the CIF value plus duty. The ZOFRI Iquique free zone trades used vehicles duty-free within the zone, but those cars cannot be nationalised and driven on the mainland. Our team confirms the exact, current figure for your car.

Popular Japanese cars for Chile

Honda Fit
For returning residents sourcing from Japan, a practical petrol or hybrid hatchback with a small engine keeps both the CIF value and the IVA bill low.
See prices
Mazda Demio
A compact hatchback with good build quality relative to price — suitable for a returning-resident import where the choice is personal rather than commercial.
See prices
Suzuki Swift
Light and economical, with a low purchase price that limits the duty base — a sensible choice for eligible buyers who want to keep the total landed cost contained.
See prices
Toyota Corolla Axio
Reliable and easy to maintain — a conservative choice for a returning resident who wants a dependable family car with proven parts availability across Chile.
See prices
Daihatsu Mira
The smallest import footprint — a kei car with the lowest possible CIF value, minimising 6% duty and 19% IVA for a qualifying buyer on a tight budget.
See prices

Shipping cost to major cities in Chile

Iquique — You are at the ZOFRI port — sedan delivery within the free zone runs about $20 (note: mainland nationalisation not permitted under general rules).
Santiago — Delivery from Port of San Antonio to Santiago adds roughly $80 for a sedan.
Antofagasta — Delivery from Iquique to Antofagasta adds roughly $390 for a sedan.
Valparaiso — Delivery from Iquique to Valparaiso adds roughly $1,070 for a sedan.
Concepcion — Delivery from Iquique to Concepcion adds roughly $1,350 for a sedan.

Frequently asked questions

Can I import a used car from Japan to mainland Chile?: Not under the general rules. Ley 18.483 Art. 21 prohibits the import of used passenger cars to mainland Chile for ordinary buyers. Exemptions apply only to returning residents (more than one year abroad, one vehicle), persons with disabilities, diplomats, and 30-year-old historic/collector vehicles.
What is the ZOFRI free zone and can I use it to get a Japanese car?: ZOFRI in Iquique is a duty-free free zone where used Japanese cars are traded legally — but those vehicles can only be bought and used within the zone. They cannot be nationalised and driven on mainland Chile under the standard rules.
I am a returning Chilean resident — can I import a car from Japan?: Yes, if you have lived abroad for more than one year you may be entitled to bring in one vehicle under the returning-resident exemption. Our team can source it from Japan's auctions and manage the full import process for you.
What duty applies if I am a qualifying importer?: For eligible imports the tariff is 6% ad valorem duty on the CIF value, plus 19% IVA on CIF plus duty. This is low by South American standards — the eligibility barrier is the real constraint, not the tax rate.
Does Chile require left-hand-drive cars?: Yes, Chile drives on the right, so LHD is required for vehicles on the mainland. Japan's domestic stock is RHD, which means only vehicles specifically built in LHD configuration can be used on Chilean roads.