Yes, purchasing Everclear (190-proof ethanol) is legal in Chile, but only under strict regulatory oversight. The product falls under the Ley de Alcoholes (Decreto Supremo 102/2019) and requires authorization from the Servicio Nacional para la Prevención y Rehabilitación del Consumo de Drogas y Alcohol (SENDA) for commercial transactions. Importation is permitted solely for industrial, scientific, or medical purposes, with customs clearance mandating prior approval from the Dirección Nacional de Aduanas and compliance with SERNAC consumer safety standards. Recent 2026 amendments to the Reglamento de Bebidas Alcohólicas further tightened import licensing, requiring importers to demonstrate end-use verification and storage protocols to mitigate diversion risks.
Key Regulations for Purchasing Everclear in Chile
- Authorization Requirement: Only entities registered with SENDA may purchase or import Everclear, with applications subject to background checks and end-use declarations. Retail sales to consumers are explicitly prohibited under Artículo 15 of the Ley de Alcoholes.
- Customs Clearance: Importers must submit a Certificado de Destino Final (Final Destination Certificate) to Aduanas, proving the ethanol will be used in licensed facilities (e.g., laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers). Failure to provide documentation results in seizure or fines up to 1,000 UTM (~$90,000 USD).
- Storage & Distribution: Distribution must comply with DS 102/2019 storage norms, including tamper-evident seals, temperature-controlled environments, and mandatory inventory logs submitted quarterly to SENDA. Unauthorized transfers between entities trigger administrative sanctions, including license revocation.