ProChile highlights measures to ensure logistics continuity during COVID-19 crisis

Chile has taken steps to ensure supply chain connectivity in the midst of the crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the country’s investment promotion agency ProChile. First, the national customs service has adopted a series of foreign trade facilitation measures to secure the supply chain and, in turn, to protect the health of customs officers and customs agencies workers who must interact with the different customs processes in person. The recently enacted Resolution No. 1179, under the National Customs Directorate, outlines a series of measures to simplify and secure operations of all sea, air and land ports throughout Chile, using electronic means of communication and other tools. For example, email requests may be made for the examinations of goods without the presence of customs employees or brokers. The resolution has also authorized the provision of shipment mandates through email, allowing customs brokers to perform their duties remotely. It also allows handling basic documents for the processing of imports and exports via email, and allows requests for customs document modifications and the legalization of export declarations to also be performed through email.