Chapter 72 · Base metals

Iron and steel

In January–July 2026, Chile exported US$ 451 million of the goods in this chapter, 0.6% of everything it exported and 73% more than in the same months of 2025. The main destination was the United States (33%), and the main region of origin, Metropolitana (79%). It imported US$ 843 million, 22% less than in the same months of 2025, mostly from China (62%).

Servicio Nacional de Aduanas · How it is measured

US$ 451 M
exported, January–July 2026 · +73% vs January–July 2025
US$ 843 M
imported, January–July 2026 · −22% vs January–July 2025
0.6%
of everything Chile exported · 1.6% of imports

Month by month

January 2025–August 2026
050100150200US$ MJan2025FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovs/dDecJan2026FebMarAprMayJunJuls/dAug
050100150200US$ MJ2025FMAMJJASON·DJ2026FMAMJJ·A
ExportsImportsshaded: the months the figures above are read over

«s/d» is a month the Aduanas database does not carry, not a month without trade.

What is inside

January–July 2026

What is exported, by heading

Base metals 100%Ferro-alloys60%Ferrous waste and scrap; remeltingscrap ingots of iron or steel29%Iron ornon-alloysteel;…4.4%Wire ofiron ornon-al…1.6%Alloysteelbars,…1.4%Ironornon-a…1.1%Iron o…Ironor…Ironor…Iro…Sta…ste…
Base metals 100%Ferro-alloys60%Ferrous wasteand scrap;remelting scra…29%Ironornon-a…4.4%Wireof…Alloystee…

What is imported, by heading

Base metals 100%Iron or non-alloy steel;flat-rolled products, width600mm or more, c…24%Iron or non-alloy steel;flat-rolled products of awidth of 600mm or…21%Alloy steel bars, rods,shapes and sections;hollow drill bars and…20%Iron ornon-alloy steel;bars and rods,…7.3%Iron ornon-alloy steel;bars and rods,…6.2%Alloy steelflat-rolledproducts, of …4.9%Iron ornon-alloysteel,…3.5%Iron ornon-alloysteel;…2.8%Stainlesssteel;flat-rolled…2.7%Ferro-a…2.0%Wire ofiron ornon-al…1.9%Stainl…steelbars…Wire ofother…Allo…Iro…Iro…Sta…
Base metals 100%Iron ornon-alloy steel;flat-rolled…24%Iron ornon-alloy steel;flat-rolled…21%Alloy steel bars,rods, shapes andsections; hollow dril…20%Iron ornon-alloysteel; bars…7.3%Iron ornon-alloysteel;…6.2%Alloysteelflat-rol…Iron ornon-alloysteel,…Ironornon-a…Stain…steel;flat-…Ferro-al…Wire of…

With which countries

January–July 2026

Each line joins the start and a country this was sold to; it is a relationship, not a route. The other countries, pooled, and the codes that are not a country (free zones, ship stores) add up to US$ 16.5 million and have no line.

Each line arrives from the country where the goods were made; it is a relationship, not a route. The other countries, pooled, and the codes that are not a country (free zones, ship stores) add up to US$ 14.0 million and have no line.

Where exports go

  1. United StatesUS$ 149 million33%
  2. NetherlandsUS$ 64.9 million14%
  3. MexicoUS$ 43.9 million9.7%
  4. PeruUS$ 38.8 million8.6%
  5. VietnamUS$ 23.9 million5.3%
  6. EcuadorUS$ 23.6 million5.2%
  7. BangladeshUS$ 23.5 million5.2%
  8. IndiaUS$ 21.3 million4.7%
  9. BrazilUS$ 14.0 million3.1%
  10. JapanUS$ 13.9 million3.1%
  11. Dominican RepublicUS$ 9.8 million2.2%
  12. ArgentinaUS$ 8.7 million1.9%
  13. OthersUS$ 16.5 million3.6%

Where imports come from

  1. ChinaUS$ 520 million62%
  2. JapanUS$ 89.7 million11%
  3. TürkiyeUS$ 61.9 million7.3%
  4. South KoreaUS$ 47.2 million5.6%
  5. BrazilUS$ 23.7 million2.8%
  6. PeruUS$ 19.6 million2.3%
  7. GermanyUS$ 16.2 million1.9%
  8. SpainUS$ 15.7 million1.9%
  9. SwedenUS$ 14.8 million1.8%
  10. IndiaUS$ 9.4 million1.1%
  11. ArgentinaUS$ 6.0 million0.7%
  12. United StatesUS$ 5.1 million0.6%
  13. OthersUS$ 14.0 million1.7%

From which region

exports · January–July 2026
  1. MetropolitanaUS$ 358 million79%
  2. Nationalised foreign goodsUS$ 49.0 million11%
  3. TarapacáUS$ 30.4 million6.7%
  4. BiobíoUS$ 9.2 million2.0%
  5. Arica y ParinacotaUS$ 1.8 million0.4%
  6. O'HigginsUS$ 1.2 million0.3%
  7. ValparaísoUS$ 732 thousand0.2%
  8. AntofagastaUS$ 677 thousand0.1%
  9. AtacamaUS$ 235 thousand0.1%
  10. AraucaníaUS$ 143 thousand<0.1%
  11. No region declaredUS$ 62 thousand<0.1%
  12. MauleUS$ 47 thousand<0.1%
  13. MagallanesUS$ 11 thousand<0.1%

The region the declaration names as the origin of the exports. An import declares no region.

Where it leaves and lands

January–July 2026
Port or crossingComunaLoaded (exports)%Unloaded (imports)%
San AntonioSan AntonioUS$ 325 million72%US$ 90.3 million11%
ValparaísoValparaísoUS$ 15.1 million3.3%US$ 361 million43%
LirquénPenco——US$ 119 million14%
VentanasPuchuncaví——US$ 98.5 million12%
AntofagastaAntofagasta——US$ 80.9 million9.6%
Puerto AngamosMejillonesUS$ 8.5 million1.9%US$ 38.4 million4.6%
TalcahuanoTalcahuanoUS$ 44.3 million9.8%——
IquiqueIquiqueUS$ 30.1 million6.7%——
Muelle HuachipatoTalcahuanoUS$ 4.4 million1.0%US$ 24.3 million2.9%
CoronelCoronel——US$ 9.9 million1.2%
Los LibertadoresLos AndesUS$ 9.4 million2.1%——
San VicenteTalcahuanoUS$ 4.3 million0.9%——
Other portsUS$ 10.0 million2.2%US$ 20.1 million2.4%

The Chilean port where the exports were loaded and the imports unloaded: where the cargo passes, which is not always the office that processes it. The eight largest are named; the rest are in «other ports». Every port →

Exports, by transport

  1. Sea, river and lakeUS$ 436 million97%
  2. RoadUS$ 15.4 million3.4%
  3. Courier (air)US$ 63 thousand<0.1%
  4. AirUS$ 43 thousand<0.1%

Imports, by transport

  1. Sea, river and lakeUS$ 830 million98%
  2. RoadUS$ 11.7 million1.4%
  3. AirUS$ 1.3 million0.2%
  4. Courier (air)US$ 298 thousand<0.1%

Who processes it

January–July 2026
Customs officeRegion of its seatExports%Imports%
ValparaísoValparaísoUS$ 15.1 million3.3%US$ 460 million55%
San AntonioValparaísoUS$ 325 million72%US$ 89.5 million11%
TalcahuanoBiobíoUS$ 57.0 million13%US$ 160 million19%
AntofagastaAntofagastaUS$ 9.2 million2.0%US$ 120 million14%
IquiqueTarapacáUS$ 30.8 million6.8%US$ 414 thousand<0.1%
Los AndesValparaísoUS$ 9.5 million2.1%US$ 9.2 million1.1%
AricaArica y ParinacotaUS$ 3.6 million0.8%US$ 1.6 million0.2%
MetropolitanaMetropolitanaUS$ 112 thousand<0.1%US$ 1.5 million0.2%
AraucaníaAraucaníaUS$ 890 thousand0.2%——
Punta ArenasMagallanesUS$ 105 thousand<0.1%US$ 712 thousand0.1%
OsornoLos Lagos——US$ 22 thousand<0.1%

The office is the branch of the Service that processed the declaration. An import is counted at the office that clears it.

From where to where

January–July 2026

What leaves: region of origin, customs office, destination

Region of originCustoms officeDestinationMetropolitanaUS$ 358 million · 79%Nationalised foreign goodsUS$ 49.0 million · 11%TarapacáUS$ 30.4 million · 6.7%BiobíoUS$ 9.2 million · 2.0%Arica y ParinacotaUS$ 1.8 million · 0.4%O'HigginsUS$ 1.2 million · 0.3%Other regionsUS$ 1.9 million · 0.4%San AntonioUS$ 325 million · 72%ValparaísoUS$ 15.1 million · 3.3%Los AndesUS$ 9.5 million · 2.1%TalcahuanoUS$ 57.0 million · 13%IquiqueUS$ 30.8 million · 6.8%Other officesUS$ 13.9 million · 3.1%United StatesUS$ 149 million · 33%NetherlandsUS$ 64.9 million · 14%MexicoUS$ 43.9 million · 9.7%VietnamUS$ 23.9 million · 5.3%BangladeshUS$ 23.5 million · 5.2%EcuadorUS$ 23.6 million · 5.2%PeruUS$ 38.8 million · 8.6%OthersUS$ 84.1 million · 19%
Region of originCustoms officeDestinationMetropolit…79%Nationalis…11%Tarapacá6.7%Biobío2.0%Arica y Pa…0.4%O'Higgins0.3%Other regi…0.4%San A…72%Valpa…3.3%Los A…2.1%Talca…13%Iquiq…6.8%Other…3.1%United Sta…33%Netherlands14%Mexico9.7%Vietnam5.3%Bangladesh5.2%Ecuador5.2%Peru8.6%Others19%

What comes in: origin, transport, customs office

OriginTransportCustoms officeChinaUS$ 520 million · 62%JapanUS$ 89.7 million · 11%TürkiyeUS$ 61.9 million · 7.3%South KoreaUS$ 47.2 million · 5.6%BrazilUS$ 23.7 million · 2.8%PeruUS$ 19.6 million · 2.3%GermanyUS$ 16.2 million · 1.9%OthersUS$ 65.0 million · 7.7%Sea, river and lakeUS$ 830 million · 98%RoadUS$ 11.7 million · 1.4%Courier (air)US$ 298 thousand · 0.0%AirUS$ 1.3 million · 0.2%ValparaísoUS$ 460 million · 55%TalcahuanoUS$ 160 million · 19%San AntonioUS$ 89.5 million · 11%AntofagastaUS$ 120 million · 14%Los AndesUS$ 9.2 million · 1.1%Other officesUS$ 4.2 million · 0.5%
OriginTransportCustoms officeChina62%Japan11%Türkiye7.3%South Korea5.6%Brazil2.8%Peru2.3%Germany1.9%Others7.7%Sea, …98%Road1.4%Couri…0.0%Air0.2%Valparaíso55%Talcahuano19%San Antonio11%Antofagasta14%Los Andes1.1%Other offi…0.5%

Every column adds up to the same total; the largest are named and the rest pooled into «others». Hover a ribbon to see how much it carries.

Its 29 headings

change against January–July 2025
CodeDescriptionExportschangeImportschange
72.02Ferro-alloysUS$ 271 million+125%US$ 16.9 million+94%
72.10Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more, clad, plated or coatedUS$ 1.7 million+58%US$ 204 million−31%
72.08Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products of a width of 600mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coatedUS$ 1.3 millionUS$ 181 million−29%
72.28Alloy steel bars, rods, shapes and sections; hollow drill bars and rods, of alloy or non-alloy steelUS$ 6.2 million−17%US$ 171 million−13%
72.04Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steelUS$ 131 million+29%US$ 317 thousand
72.14Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot drawn or hot-extruded, but including those twisted after rollingUS$ 1.6 million−21%US$ 61.2 million+2.1%
72.13Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coilsUS$ 796 thousandUS$ 52.5 million−12%
72.25Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width 600mm or moreUS$ 516 thousandUS$ 41.5 million−35%
72.16Iron or non-alloy steel, angles, shapes and sectionsUS$ 2.3 million+28%US$ 29.3 million−0.6%
72.19Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width of 600mm or moreUS$ 1.1 millionUS$ 23.0 million−20%
72.09Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width 600mm or more, cold-rolled (cold-reduced), not clad, plated or coatedUS$ 35 thousandUS$ 23.6 million−31%
72.17Wire of iron or non-alloy steelUS$ 7.1 million+98%US$ 15.7 million−28%
72.07Iron or non-alloy steel; semi-finished products thereofUS$ 19.7 million+26%US$ 210 thousand
72.12Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width less than 600mm, clad, plated or coatedUS$ 5.0 million+22%US$ 2.5 million−49%
72.22Stainless steel bars and rods, angles, shapes and sectionsUS$ 11 thousandUS$ 5.3 million−16%
72.29Wire of other alloy steelUS$ 2 thousandUS$ 4.4 million−3.2%
72.26Alloy steel flat-rolled products, of a width of less than 600mmUS$ 70 thousandUS$ 2.6 million+43%
72.15Iron or non-alloy steel; bars and rods, n.e.c. in chapter 72—US$ 2.3 million+13%
72.20Stainless steel; flat-rolled products of width less than 600mmUS$ 899 thousandUS$ 709 thousand−56%
72.23Stainless steel wireUS$ 11 thousandUS$ 1.6 million−11%
72.27Steel, alloy; bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils—US$ 1.4 million−37%
72.05Granules and powders, of pig iron, spiegeleisen, iron or steelUS$ 20 thousandUS$ 1.3 million−3.8%
72.11Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled products, width less than 600mm, not clad, plated or coatedUS$ 325 thousandUS$ 540 thousand−53%
72.01Pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary formsUS$ 2 thousandUS$ 218 thousand
72.24Alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, semi-finished products of other alloy steelUS$ 17 thousandUS$ 3 thousand
72.18Stainless steel in ingots or other primary forms; semi-finished products of stainless steelUS$ 1 thousandUS$ 2 thousand
72.03Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or the like; iron having a minimum purity of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms—US$ 655
72.06Iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms (excluding iron of heading no. 7203)—US$ 159
72.21Stainless steel bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils——

A change is shown only where the same months of the year before added up to at least US$ 1.0 million.

How it is measured

Where the figures come from
Every export and import declaration the Servicio Nacional de Aduanas processed since January 2025, added up as Aduanas publishes them in its open databases. Nothing is estimated. They are amounts of trade, not PuroChile indicators, and they are never divided by census figures.
FOB and CIF
Exports are valued FOB («free on board»): what the goods are worth loaded on the ship, plane or truck that takes them out of Chile. Imports are valued CIF («cost, insurance and freight»): what they are worth on arrival in Chile, with insurance and freight paid. That is how Aduanas publishes them. So «exports less imports» is not the Central Bank's trade balance, which values imports without insurance or freight.
Which months
The figures at the top add up January–July 2026: the months of this year both databases already carry, against the same months of 2025. Aduanas replaces the running year's database every month, so this year's months can still be corrected. «s/d» on a chart is a month the database does not carry — not a month without trade.
Changes
A change is shown only where the same months of the year before added up to at least US$ 1.0 million.
The codes
Aduanas classifies every good with a code of the Arancel Aduanero, which is the international Harmonized System with two Chilean digits added: 2 digits are the chapter (74, copper), 4 the heading (74.03, refined copper), 6 the subheading (7403.11, cathodes) and 8 Chile's own tariff line. Names are the Arancel's; in English, the Harmonized System 2022's. Chile's Section 0 and its 8-digit lines have no English text and are shown in Spanish.
Port and customs office
The port is where the cargo physically passes: loaded for an export, unloaded for an import. The customs office is the branch of the Service that processes the declaration. They are not always the same place: the Aduana de Antofagasta processes what is loaded at Mejillones.
What is not here
Customs agents: every declaration names the agent who filed it, but Aduanas's open databases leave that field out, and PuroChile does not estimate it.
A month at zero
A month with no bar is one in which nothing was declared under this code; «s/d» is one the database does not carry.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Aduanas · How each figure is checked →