In 2024, Chile's total imports reached US$79.7 billion, marking a 29.8% increase from the $61.4 billion recorded in 2020.

From 2023 to 2024, the overall value of imported goods remained relatively steady, dipping slightly by -1% from $80.5 billion.

Using the average 2024 exchange rate, the Chilean peso weakened by 12.4% against the U.S. dollar compared to 2023. This depreciation made imported goods—priced in stronger U.S. dollars—more costly for local buyers.

Domestically, inflation in Chile averaged 3.9% in 2024, a notable decline from the 7.6% recorded in 2023.

Main Suppliers of Chile's Imports

According to the latest trade data, about 80.1% of Chile's imports originated from 12 main partners:

China (24.3%), the United States (19.1%), Brazil (9.5%), Argentina (8.7%), Germany (3.4%), Mexico (2.53%), Peru (2.53%), Spain (2.38%), Japan (2.3%), Italy (1.94%), South Korea (1.87%), and India (1.6%).

From a regional perspective:

·Asia accounted for 35.3% of Chile's imports.

·Latin America (excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean) supplied 26.4%.

·North America contributed 22.6%,

·While Europe provided 14.9%.

·Oceania (0.4%), led by Australia and New Zealand, and Africa (0.3%) represented smaller shares.

With a population of 20.1 million, Chile's per capita import value equated to roughly $3,950 in 2024, slightly below the $4,050 per person reported in 2023.

Top 10 Import Categories

The following are Chile's leading import categories by value in 2024, along with their percentage shares of total imports:

1.Mineral fuels including oil: US$14.5 billion (18.1%)

2.Machinery including computers: $10.3 billion (12.9%)

3.Vehicles: $7.8 billion (9.8%)

4.Electrical machinery & equipment: $7.5 billion (9.5%)

5.Plastics & plastic goods: $2.7 billion (3.3%)

6.Pharmaceuticals: $2.4 billion (3%)

7.Meat: $2.1 billion (2.6%)

8.Optical, technical & medical devices: $1.8 billion (2.2%)

9.Articles of iron or steel: $1.6 billion (1.9%)

10.Iron & steel: $1.5 billion (1.9%)

Together, these ten categories made up 65.3% of Chile's total import bill in 2024.

Among them, iron and steel articles showed the strongest growth, up 10.9% from 2023, followed by plastics (+8.3%) and meat (+8.1%).

Meanwhile, mineral fuels (-12%), electrical machinery (-3.3%), and vehicles (-1.2%) experienced modest declines.

At a more detailed 4-digit HS code level, Chile's costliest imported goods included:

·Processed petroleum oils (7.9% of total imports)

·Crude oil (6.4%)

·Cars (3.8%)

·Trucks (3.5%)

·Smartphones & mobile devices (2.9%)

·Petroleum gases (2.7%)

·Packaged medicaments (1.9%)

·Computers & optical readers (1.9%)

·Fresh/chilled beef (1.6%)

·Heavy construction machinery like bulldozers and excavators (1.1%)

Top 10 Importing Companies in Chile (2024)

For companies looking to expand into Chile's import market, identifying trusted buyers is key.

With Tendata's advanced trade tools—including keyword search and HS code filters—businesses can instantly find verified Chilean importers, analyze purchasing trends, and access direct contact information to accelerate market entry.

For example, Tendata's platform highlights the top 10 PVC importers in Chile for 2024:

1.SQM INDUSTRIAL S.A. – 11.34% ($3.83M)

2.FABRICA DE BANDEJAS LIMITADA – 6.42% ($2.17M)

3.BATA CHILE S.A. – 5.01% ($1.69M)

4.SODIMAC S.A. – 4.38% ($1.48M)

5.MICROGEO S.A. – 3.93% ($1.33M)

6.SQM SALAR S.A. – 3.64% ($1.23M)

7.COMERCIAL E INDUSTRIAL PLASTICOS HOFFENS S.A. – 3.33% ($1.12M)

8.COMERCIAL SOLUEX SPA – 3.33% ($0.9M)

9.HAUSTEK S.A. – 2.67% ($0.85M)

10.ACF MINERA S.A. – 2.53% ($0.76M)

Whether you're an established exporter or just entering the market, Chile's import intelligence offers valuable opportunities for global traders.

To explore detailed Chile import data or request a free demo, contact Tendata today.