Importing Steel from China to Chile: 0% FTA Duty with Form F, 19% IVA & Zero Trade Remedies (2026)
Verified 2026-10-30 against the Chilean customs tariff and the upgraded China-Chile FTA protocol. Chile is the cleanest market in the entire tariff series: the FTA has eliminated duties on steel since the original 2006 agreement (upgraded 2019), so with a Form F certificate of origin Chinese steel enters at 0% — MFN is only 6% regardless. IVA of 19% applies and is creditable. Critically, Chile operates no trade-remedy regime: no anti-dumping, no safeguard, no countervailing duties on steel, by policy choice. With essentially no domestic flat-steel capacity, every tonne is imported — the market prices on landed cost alone.
Duty structure on Chinese steel (2026)
| Product (HS) | MFN without C/O | China-Chile FTA (Form F) | IVA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7208 / 7209 / 7210 — flat steel | 6% MFN | 0% with Form F (FTA) | 19% IVA |
| 7225 / 7226 — alloy & plate | 6% MFN | 0% with Form F | 19% IVA |
| 7301 / 7306 — sections & tube | 6% MFN | 0% with Form F | 19% IVA |
Chile's uniform 6% MFN is the lowest in Latin America even without the FTA certificate.
Why there are no remedies — and why that will not change soon
Chile's unilateral open-market doctrine, anchored in its network of 30+ FTAs, treats trade remedies as market distortions. Attempts to introduce safeguard legislation have repeatedly failed in Congress; the mining and construction lobbies (Codelco, CAP, CMPC) defend import access for their input costs.
Practical consequence: Chilean landed cost is the cleanest arithmetic in the region — FOB + freight + IVA. There is no remedy risk to price into quotes, which is one reason Chinese plate has won major mining wear-part contracts against traditional European suppliers.
The mining market — plate wins on logistics, not tariffs
Every specification enters freely. For Chilean mining — the world's copper core — the commercial battle is logistics and certification, not tariffs: NM400/NM450/NM500 plate for shovel and truck wear parts, Q690E for structural booms and chutes.
Baohui's Chilean shipments carry Form F issued at origin plus EN 10029/10051 dimensional certificates — the combination Chilean fabricators' quality systems require for mining tenders.
Landed-cost cascade — worked example (25 t NM450 plate to Valparaíso)
| Line | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NM450 plate, 25 t × $795/t FOB | $19,875 | FOB China |
| Freight + insurance to Valparaíso | +$60/t | $1,500 |
| CIF value | $21,375 | duty base |
| FTA duty with Form F | 0% | $0 |
| IVA 19% (on CIF + duty) | +$4,061 | creditable |
| Landed ≈ $1,037/t | ≈1.30× FOB |
≈1.30× FOB is fully transparent: no remedy layer exists to surprise a contract mid-execution.
Documents Chilean customs will ask for
- China-Chile FTA Certificate of Origin Form F
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Mill test certificate matching grade & HS line
- RUT of the Chilean importer
Change log — what moved, and when
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 2006 | China-Chile FTA enters into force — steel duty elimination begins |
| 2019 | Upgraded FTA protocol consolidates 0% coverage |
| 2026-10-30 | Verified: 0% with Form F, no trade-remedy legislation in force |
Related guide: electrical steel
HS 7225 also covers grain-oriented (GO) and non-oriented (NGO) electrical steel — the silicon steel grades used in transformer and motor cores. Read our guide: What is electrical steel — grades, GO vs NGO, and the global market.
Chile steel import FAQ
Is Chinese steel duty-free in Chile?
Yes — 0% with a China-Chile FTA Form F certificate; 6% MFN without. IVA 19% applies and is creditable.
Can Chile impose anti-dumping on steel?
It effectively does not: Chile has no operative trade-remedy regime for steel and repeated legislative attempts have failed. This is structural policy, not a temporary gap.
What is the landed-cost ratio?
Roughly 1.25–1.35× FOB depending on freight cycle: 0% duty plus creditable 19% IVA. No remedy layer exists.
Which documents do Chilean fabricators require for mining tenders?
Form F, mill test certificates, and dimensional certificates to EN 10029/10051; some Codelco-family tenders add ultrasonic-testing requirements.
How long does clearance take in Valparaíso or San Antonio?
Typically 1–2 working days with complete documents; Chile runs one of Latin America's most automated customs systems.
来源与核实说明
- 1Servicio Nacional de Aduanas — Chilean tariff schedule
- 2China-Chile FTA (upgraded protocol 2019) — Form F
- 3SII — IVA rules for imports
本页数据已于 2026-10-30 对照下列官方来源逐项核实，并每月滚动复核更新，每次复核日期见本页标注。
