Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormBottled distilled spirit
Industry PositionAlcoholic Beverage (Distilled Spirit)
Market
Tequila in Chile is an import-dependent distilled-spirit market segment because tequila is protected by a Mexican Designation of Origin and must be produced in authorized areas of Mexico under NOM-006-SCFI. Commercial import into Chile is tightly controlled through the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG), including mandatory product registration and import authorization, with sampling and laboratory analysis that can hold shipments at entry. Market pricing and channel economics are strongly influenced by Chile’s additional tax on distilled spirits. Compliance with labeling, origin claims, and importer identification is essential to avoid clearance delays, rejection, or marketing prohibitions.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (Net importer)
Domestic RoleImported spirits category; tequila is sold via Chilean importers/distributors after SAG authorization and release for commercialization
Specification
Primary VarietyAgave tequilana Weber blue variety (Blue agave)
Physical Attributes- Alcohol content is specified within 35% to 55% Alc. Vol. for products considered 'Tequila' under NOM-006-SCFI.
Compositional Metrics- Declared alcoholic strength (Alc. Vol.) is a core specification and labeling attribute for tequila.
Grades- Blanco / Silver
- Joven / Gold
- Reposado / Aged
- Añejo / Extra Aged
- Extra Añejo / Ultra Aged
Packaging- Sealed retail bottles with labeling that includes at least product denomination/nature, alcoholic strength, and volume; for imported products, country of origin and importer identification are required under Chile’s labeling rules for alcoholic beverages.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Mexican tequila producer (DO-compliant) → bottling/labeling under NOM-006-SCFI controls → export dispatch → Chile importer registered with SAG → port-of-entry inspection, sampling and analysis by SAG → customs release and commercialization
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighTequila shipments can be blocked from commercialization in Chile if the importer has not completed SAG requirements (import authorization and product registration) or if entry sampling/analysis finds non-compliance; SAG guidance indicates consignments may be retained pending results and, if deemed not fit to import, must be re-exported or destroyed.Confirm importer registration and product inscription in SAG systems before shipping; pre-check labels against Chile’s alcohol labeling requirements; align shipment documentation to the SAG permit/CDA workflow and plan lead time for port sampling and lab analysis.
Tax And Pricing MediumChile applies an additional tax rate to distilled spirits (including licores and destilados); misclassification or failure to model the tax burden can materially change retail pricing, demand, and channel viability for tequila imports.Validate tax treatment and product classification with Chilean tax guidance and broker advice; build landed-cost scenarios including the applicable additional tax for distilled spirits.
Authenticity And Label Claims MediumTequila is protected by a Mexican Denomination of Origin and is regulated under NOM-006-SCFI with CRT conformity assessment; inaccurate origin/DO claims or misleading labeling can create enforcement risk, including import hold-ups or market removal.Source only from CRT-compliant supply chains; retain CRT-related conformity and traceability documentation; avoid any label statements that could mislead about origin, composition, or protected denominations.
Logistics LowPort delays associated with inspection and sampling, plus freight-rate volatility for glass-bottled goods, can affect timing and landed cost for tequila in Chile.Use experienced import brokers familiar with SAG alcoholic beverage workflows; maintain safety stock and shipment buffers to absorb inspection and analysis lead times.
FAQ
What must be done before importing tequila for sale in Chile?Importers generally must be registered for alcoholic beverage imports with the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) and ensure the product is registered in the SAG Registro Nacional de Bebidas Alcohólicas. SAG guidance also indicates an import authorization process that results in a Certificado de Destinación Aduanera (CDA) for the customs import step.
Why can an imported tequila shipment be held at the Chilean port of entry?SAG indicates alcoholic beverage consignments may be sampled and analyzed by inspectors, and the shipment can be retained until the analysis result is notified. If the product is found not fit to import, SAG guidance indicates it must be re-exported or destroyed.
What additional tax rate applies to distilled spirits in Chile?Chile’s Servicio de Impuestos Internos (SII) lists an additional tax rate for licores, piscos, whisky, aguardientes and destilados of 31.5%.