Package Held at Chilean Customs

Everything you need to know to release your package from Chilean customs step by step

Receiving notification that your package is held at customs is one of the most frustrating international ecommerce experiences. If you bought from AliExpress, Shein, Temu, or Amazon and the tracking status says 'Held at Customs' or 'Customs Review', this guide explains exactly what happens, why it occurs, and what you need to do step by step to release your shipment.

▸ Why Packages Get Held at Chilean Customs

Chilean customs (Servicio Nacional de Aduanas) reviews all packages entering the country from abroad to verify legality and collect applicable taxes. Packages are held mainly for four reasons. The most common is exceeding the tax-free threshold: Chile allows importing goods up to USD 41 (including shipping cost) without paying taxes. If the declared value exceeds that amount, customs holds the package to collect VAT (19%) and customs duties. It may also happen due to random inspection even if below the limit, incomplete documentation from the seller, or products requiring special permits such as certain foods, medications, or electrical materials without Chilean certification.

▸ How to Know if Your Package Is at Customs

When your package arrives in Chile and is held for customs review, the Correos de Chile tracking status will show phrases like 'Customs review in progress', 'Held by Customs', or 'Tax payment pending'. You can check the status on Correos de Chile's website (correoschile.cl) or the National Customs Service website (aduana.cl) using your tracking number. If you need to pay taxes, Correos de Chile will send you a registered letter to your address with the exact amount to pay and instructions. This letter may take several days to arrive while your package remains held, which explains why tracking can go without updates for several days.

▸ How to Calculate the Taxes You Need to Pay

If your package exceeds USD 41, you'll need to pay two components. VAT of 19% applies on the CIF value of the product (Cost + Insurance + Freight). Customs duties vary by product type: most clothing and footwear pays 6%, electronics between 0% and 6% depending on type, toys generally 0%, and books are exempt. For example, a package valued at USD 80 equivalent to approximately 76,000 Chilean pesos at current exchange would pay about 4,560 pesos in customs duties at 6% plus about 15,313 pesos in VAT at 19%, totaling around 20,000 pesos in taxes. Customs makes the official assessment and will inform you in the Correos de Chile notification letter.

▸ Steps to Release Your Package from Customs

The process to release your package has four clear steps. First, wait for the registered letter from Correos de Chile at your address with the exact amount to pay. This may take 3 to 10 business days after the package was held. Second, make the payment: you can do this at any Correos de Chile branch presenting the letter and your RUT (Chilean ID number), or in some cases online on the Correos website. Third, wait for processing: once paid, the package generally takes 2-5 more business days to continue on its way. Fourth, track post-payment: after paying, the tracking status should update to 'Released from Customs' or 'In Transit' in the following days. If you haven't received the letter within 15 business days of the package arriving in Chile, contact Correos de Chile directly at 600 950 2020.

▸ Tips to Avoid Customs Problems

To minimize future customs issues with Chilean customs, keep your purchases under USD 41 per package when possible to avoid paying taxes. If you need to buy more, consider splitting the purchase into separate orders on different dates, ensuring each shipment is genuinely independent. Never ask the seller to declare a lower value than the real one: this is customs fraud and can result in package confiscation with no right to claim. Check which products have restrictions or require special certifications before buying. Individual people have an annual allowance of up to USD 1,000 for courier imports without needing a customs agent. If you exceed this amount in a year, the process becomes more complex and may require hiring a customs broker.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a package held at customs in Chile take?

A package held at Chilean customs typically takes between 5 and 15 additional business days from when it's held until it reaches your address, considering the notification letter, tax payment, and subsequent processing time.

How do I know exactly how much tax I need to pay?

Correos de Chile will send you a registered letter with the exact amount calculated by Customs. You can estimate the amount with 19% VAT plus the applicable duty generally 6% on the product value plus shipping, but the official amount is determined by Customs.

What happens if I don't pay or pick up my package held at customs?

If you don't make the payment and pickup within the indicated deadline, generally 30 days, the package may be returned to the sender or in extreme cases destroyed or auctioned by Customs. It's important to act within the deadline indicated in the Correos letter.

Can my package under USD 41 still be held at customs?

Yes. Customs performs random inspections regardless of declared value. If your package is selected for inspection but doesn't exceed the limit, it will be released at no additional cost, though it may take a few extra days to arrive.

Can I claim from the seller if my package is held at customs?

Generally not, as import taxes are the buyer's responsibility under Chilean regulations. However, if the seller declared an incorrect value that caused the problem, you can try to contact them. Platforms like AliExpress offer buyer protection in certain cases.

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