Chile & Peru: Import or Manufacture in Thailand (2026 Guide)
Chile has a bilateral free trade agreement with Thailand, and Peru has long-standing tariff-reduction arrangements. That makes the Pacific coast of South America one of the more duty-friendly places to buy Thai goods — which shifts the import versus manufacture decision toward manufacturing sooner than in most markets.
Decision rule
- Import stock product for market testing and for SKUs where the factory's standard model already fits.
- Manufacture to spec once volume clears tooling in about 12–18 months — the duty preference means your per-unit saving is larger, so break-even arrives faster.
Duty advantage
- Under the Thailand–Chile FTA, a large share of tariff lines are duty-free with a valid certificate of origin. Getting the origin declaration right at the factory is worth more than any freight negotiation.
- Peru applies reduced or zero rates on many lines under its tariff schedule and trade arrangements; verify by HS code each year.
- Both markets charge VAT/IGV on the landed value, recoverable for registered importers.
Freight
| Lane | Typical transit |
|---|---|
| Laem Chabang → Valparaíso / San Antonio | 32–42 days |
| Laem Chabang → Callao (Lima) | 30–40 days |
Most services tranship in Asia (Busan, Shanghai) before the trans-Pacific leg. Direct sailings are rare, so build a 7–10 day buffer.
Break-even worked example
A steel-and-plastic consumer product:
1.20 landed as stock import versus $7.90 made to spec, with 6,000 tooling.- Per-unit saving: $3.30
- Break-even: 16,000 ÷ 3.30 ≈ 4,850 units
- With FTA duty relief on a 6% line, add roughly $0.45/unit of extra saving and break-even drops to about 4,270 units.
Compliance and labelling
- Spanish-language labelling with importer details is expected in both markets; print at source.
- Chile's SEC certification applies to electrical goods; Peru has its own technical regulations for several categories.
- Food and cosmetics need registration before first import — start that clock before production.
Working with TUSKO
We quote both routes from audited Thai factories, control the certificate of origin so your FTA claim survives audit, and inspect before shipment. One landed-cost sheet to Valparaíso or Callao, one contact, fee inside the order price.
FAQ
Are Thai goods duty-free into Chile?
Many tariff lines are, under the Thailand–Chile FTA, provided you hold a compliant certificate of origin. Check your specific HS code.
What about Peru?
Peru's tariff schedule already zero-rates or reduces many industrial lines. Verify by HS code, and keep origin documents complete.
How long does shipping take?
Plan 30–42 days to Callao or Valparaíso, usually with one Asian transhipment.
Does the FTA change my break-even volume?
Yes — duty relief increases your per-unit saving on custom production, so tooling repays faster than in non-FTA markets.
Can the factory print Spanish labels?
Yes, and it is cheaper than re-labelling on arrival. Approve artwork on the first-article sample.