Home › Travel Guides › South America Travel Guide › Chile › Money & duty free for Chile

Money & duty free for Chile

Currency information: 

Chilean Peso (CLP; symbol CH$) = 100 centavos. The local symbol is simply $. Notes are in denominations of CH$20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of CH$500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1, although the latter is no longer in circulation.

Credit cards: 

Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted – although Diners Club and American Express slightly less so - in towns and cities, where ATMs are also largely available. Outside of the larger, more tourist-centred towns, currency exchange can be tricky.

ATM: 

Credit/debit cards (Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard and sometimes American Express) are widely accepted in towns and cities, where ATMs or Redbancs are also largely available.

Travellers cheques: 

The government does not regulate the market of foreign currency in Chile, making it possible to exchange money and traveller's cheques at any casa de cambio at market-driven exchange rates. However, exchanging traveller's cheques in Chile has been reported to be problematic.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1400.

Currency restriction: 

The import and export of local and foreign currencies is unlimited, however amounts exceeding the equivalent of US$10,000 must be declared.

Currency exchange: 

Foreign exchange transactions can be conducted through commercial banks, casas de cambio, or authorised shops, restaurants, hotels and clubs. Casas de cambio are open daily 0900-1900 (Mon-Sat) and 0900-1400 (Sun).

Chile duty free

The following goods may be imported into Chile without incurring customs duty:

• Items bought duty-free to the value of US$500.
• 400 cigarettes and 500g of tobacco and 50 cigars.
• 2.5L of alcohol (only for visitors over 18 years of age).
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

Banned imports: 

Fruit, seeds, unprocessed vegetables and animal products.

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.