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GENERAL INFORMATION
Chilean law does not stipulate any minimum level of local participation in foreign-owned companies. However, it is necessary to have a local legal entity in order to operate business in the country.
Establishing a local subsidiary or branch office in Chile is recommended for a UK exporter expecting a large sales volume and/or requiring local service support or localised inventory. Any corporation legally constituted abroad may form, under its own name, an authorised branch in Chile. Franchising is also an interesting alternative that is growing at a fast rate in Chile.
Another practical, and more common, market entry strategy, especially for new-to-market exporters and companies that are testing and growing in the market, is to appoint a distributor, agent, or representative with good access to relevant buyers and solid technical expertise.
An appointed legal representative assumes liability associated with your company in Chile. Both non-resident individuals and companies are allowed to operate in the country, but to do so they require a tax number commonly called RUT. Foreign companies and investors are subject to the same laws as nationals when doing business in Chile. Many UK companies already operate in Chile in sectors such as agribusiness, mining, education, clean growth, financial and professional services, infrastructure, life sciences, tech and creative industries, and retail.
For detailed information see:
FINDING A LOCAL PARTNER
FRANCHISING
ESTABLISHING A CHILEAN COMPANY
SETTING UP A LOCAL BRANCH OF A FOREIGN CORPORATION
JOINT VENTURE
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