Chile Forum

Does anyone know if you can ship used jet skis and 4 wheelers to Chile or do they have to be new like autos? We will be shipping a 40 ft container and I'd like to bring them along...since they're paid for....lol. Thanks

LSUrules wrote:Does anyone know if you can ship used jet skis and 4 wheelers to Chile or do they have to be new like autos? We will be shipping a 40 ft container and I'd like to bring them along...since they're paid for....lol. Thanks

Aduana does not appear to regulate Jetski-type watercraft as motor vehicles subject to the used-vehicle exclusion. But you may be hit with some considerable tax, possibly over 20 percent of the Aduana-determined value.

4-wheel ATVs are a bit weird. Down here (XII Región) they are sometimes registered for the street and carry licence plates, and are considered motor vehicles. But in theory most are not supposed to be used on public streets, at least those so specified by the manufacturers. So in theory they should be permitted if not to be licenced/registered for use on public roads, but again they may be taxed at something above 20 percent of Aduana determined value. Before deciding on shipping, you may wish to correspond directly with Aduanas and get an opinion there.

Thank you for the info. One more thing, how about the trailer for the jet ski or any trailer for that matter? Thanks again!

LSUrules wrote:Thank you for the info. One more thing, how about the trailer for the jet ski or any trailer for that matter? Thanks again!

Most small trailers seem to be registered on a system apart from the national "motor vehicle" registry. But I don't know of any restriction about bringing in "used" trailers (a trailer is called "carro de arrastre" here but you already knew that).

I think new registration for a small trailer involves a revisión técnica and the original registration documents that show your prior ownership, and your carnet/RUT of course, along with evidence of your residency address in a particular comuna. If it's a home-made or otherwise undocumented trailer they usually you have to prepare a declaration at a Notario concerning number of axles, weight, capacity, colour, etc. The revisión técnica should cover the usual: tyres in good shape, a spare tyre may be required, safety chains in place, lights installed and working -- that sort of thing. The licence plate for a small trailer may differ from the national motor vehicle plates, and identify the comuna on the plate since the registration is municipal/comunal rather than national. Technically, a trailer may require insurance distinct from the SOAP or mandatory coverage for the motor vehicle prime mover for the trailer.

Right now the colour scheme for small trailers is red letters on a white plate, with the name of the comuna on the upper part of the plate.

More than you wanted to know.

More info.....but GREATLY appreciated....lol. Thanks again!

I'm moving down to Chile around December / January, near Puerto Varas.
We too were going to bring some 'toys' as well. Kawasaki Mule, Teryx, motocross bikes and a sport and trail atv/quad, all new.
I'm having a hard time figuring out what the import cost / duties would be. Is it just the 19% iva or are other taxes involved?
Depending on the total vehicle + import cost I may have to leave one or two behind and adjust the container size accordingly.
I already decided not to bother importing a new car, will just buy a used one after arriving since I've been several times on holiday and I know how beat up vehicles can get down there.

zasy99 wrote:I'm moving down to Chile around December / January, near Puerto Varas.
We too were going to bring some 'toys' as well. Kawasaki Mule, Teryx, motocross bikes and a sport and trail atv/quad, all new.
I'm having a hard time figuring out what the import cost / duties would be. Is it just the 19% iva or are other taxes involved?
Depending on the total vehicle + import cost I may have to leave one or two behind and adjust the container size accordingly.
I already decided not to bother importing a new car, will just buy a used one after arriving since I've been several times on holiday and I know how beat up vehicles can get down there.

First, welcome to the forum, and to Chile.

I wrote this in another thread concerning "vehicle" importing taxes. It might apply to your importation of toys - just adjust values to your case. Shows how to calculate the "CIF".

----

Assume notional vehicle(s) cost US$30,000 in the US as it/they roll into the container. Assumes one container for the toys. Adjust proportionally for partial container and insurance in these calculations:


Container shipping, insurance, est US$4500
Therefore CIF is $34,500

Aduana charges 6% on CIF $2070 (derecho ad valorem)
Subtotal $36570
Aduana charges IVA 19% on CIF plus DAV) $6950
Subtotal $43520

Because of the value of the toys, it is likely that a customs agent will be required:

Customs agent and port handling in Valpo or San Antonio est $2500
Subtotal $46020

In theory you could elect to have the container transloaded to a feeder route to Pto Montt for its proximity to Pto Varas, otherwise there is some considerable cost in shipping a container via truck from ports at San Antonio or Valpo, to your site in Pto Varas. It is possible to have the Aduana inspection/reception done in Pto Montt.



Anyone smarter or with more recent experience please contribute. I last did this for full 40 foot container in 2007. I am not aware of any luxury type taxes affecting these toys but if anyone knows about such effects please raise your hand.

BTW, you did not ask this but others in the audience were squirming --- used offroad-only motorcycles and similar vehicles that are not permitted for on-road registration, can be imported as non-vehicles and personal property and are not, que yo sepa, subject to the prohibition affecting "used vehicles."

patagoniax: Thanks very much for the information you provided. Wow, it sure gets expensive quickly, I may indeed have to leave one or two behind i.e. not buying so many, for now.
About used off road vehicles, I had read something similar to that effect, somewhere, but you verified it today.
Thanks again!

I would look into two things

1) if you already own them, use them because Aduanas (customs) here understands the quick depreciation of vehicles and "toys" in north america.
so they can legally be considered of a much lower value than new.

2) use a trusted broker. Ideally one with experience in importing this specific type of equipment to Chile.
I know of one who lives in the Puerto Varas area (when not in Santiago)

I would have no problem sharing his contact.

ABIII wrote:I would look into two things

1) if you already own them, use them because Aduanas (customs) here understands the quick depreciation of vehicles and "toys" in north america.
so they can legally be considered of a much lower value than new.

2) use a trusted broker. Ideally one with experience in importing this specific type of equipment to Chile.
I know of one who lives in the Puerto Varas area (when not in Santiago)
.

Good points on depreciation concept. However, Aduana usually considers the value of items in Chile and not in the depreciated value in another country. So even though Motorised Toy X may only be worth USD2000 in Twoguns AZ, if it's worth USD4000 on the Chilean market, that may affect the outcome. That said, in many Aduana valuations of incoming expat property, esp household goods, Aduana can be remarkably generous.

I brought in a 40 foot container with 3 motorcycles, used Toyota truck, 12-foot cargo trailer, and considerable value in tools and other property that was being transported across Chile to Argentina. Through the company Ultramar I was introduced to a customs agent in Valpo who was said to specialise in vehicles. He cost me over USD800 but he got everything in without any Aduana costs at all. Under the circumstances that agent's fee was worth it.

I agree there,

in Chile, there are clear but multiple rules and laws for import, so best to save money in the end and pay the people who deal with the law for a living: customs broker.

there are good brokers for small imports (spare parts for car, motorbike, etc) that can be clearly cheaper for buying that sort of small stuff
and you don't get into containers, ports, etc.

Interesting points.
I do not have the vehicles yet, they will be purchased at the end of this year at exactly the same time our things are taken out of storage, put into containers and shipped down to Chile.
ABIII, would you mind sharing your customs broker contact?
One of my family members knows a few business people in the Puerto Varas area but not specific to customs, it would be good to be able to contact somebody know knows the ins and outs and can act as a broker.
Thanks.