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The twenty imports Chile is best placed to replace.

Chile imported USD 60bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 43bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 3.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
415products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
385products Chile already exports well
942product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Chile already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Chile would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Chile does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Waters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavouredHS 220210

    Comes fromAustria 64%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less (exports USD 1.3bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well60

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 119m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); Austria supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 119mdown 22% on 2022
  2. 2

    T-shirts, singlets and other vests: of textile materials (other than cotton), knitted or crochetedHS 610990

    Comes fromChina 66%, 85 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHosiery and footwear: without applied soles, of textile materials... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 196m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 117m, top 10 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 117mdown 18% on 2022
  3. 3

    Carbonates: disodium carbonateHS 283620

    Comes fromUnited States 99%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCarbonates: lithium carbonate (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 560k
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 265m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); United States supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 265mup 26% on 2022
  4. 4

    Ammonia: anhydrousHS 281410

    Comes fromTrinidad and Tobago 74%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCarbonates: lithium carbonate (exports USD 2.8bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 780k
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 175m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Trinidad and Tobago supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 175mdown 58% on 2022
  5. 5

    Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, waistcoats and similar articles: of man-made fibres, knitted or crochetedHS 611030

    Comes fromChina 83%, 73 source countries
    Nearest export strengthHosiery and footwear: without applied soles, of textile materials... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 145m
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 159m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); China supplies 83 per cent (2).

    USD 159mdown 34% on 2022
  6. 6

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620462

    Comes fromChina 67%, 69 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJackets and blazers: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 456k; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 134m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 132m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 132mdown 42% on 2022
  7. 7

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: men's or boys', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted)HS 620342

    Comes fromChina 56%, 71 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJackets and blazers: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or... (exports USD 11m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 72m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 129m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); China supplies 56 per cent (1).

    USD 129mdown 40% on 2022
  8. 8

    Quicklime: excluding calcium oxide and hydroxide of heading no. 2825HS 252210

    Comes fromArgentina 84%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSalt (including table salt and denatured salt): pure sodium chloride... (exports USD 168m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 87m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Argentina supplies 84 per cent (2).

    USD 87mup 45% on 2022
  9. 9

    Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing...HS 170114

    Comes fromBrazil 89%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other... (exports USD 23m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 293m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 61m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 89 per cent (2).

    USD 61mup 8% on 2022
  10. 10

    Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goodsHS 870410

    Comes fromUnited States 85%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: mobile drilling derricks (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 33m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 2.1bn
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 584m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); United States supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 584mup 50% on 2022
  11. 11

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromArgentina 44%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or... (exports USD 489m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 245k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 533m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Argentina supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 533mup 7% on 2022
  12. 12

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromBrunei 32%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105 (exports USD 250m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 210m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3).

    USD 210mdown 45% on 2022
  13. 13

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromBrazil 25%, 44 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or... (exports USD 489m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 53m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 250m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 195m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3).

    USD 195mdown 10% on 2022
  14. 14

    Machines: for cleaning, sorting or grading eggs, fruit or other agricultural produceHS 843360

    Comes fromItaly 87%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMachines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc... (exports USD 77m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 64m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 167m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Italy supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 167mup 195% on 2022
  15. 15

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: ammonium dihydrogenorthophosphate (monoammonium phosphate) and mixtures thereof with...HS 310540

    Comes fromMorocco 40%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: n.e.c. in heading no. 3105 (exports USD 250m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 119k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 41m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 164m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); Morocco supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 164mup 39% on 2022
  16. 16

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity...HS 870332

    Comes fromSouth Korea 62%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: mobile drilling derricks (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 10 more lines in the heading, USD 3.0bn
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 141m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); South Korea supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 141mdown 38% on 2022
  17. 17

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 50%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged... (exports USD 83m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 98m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 135m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); China supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 135mdown 24% on 2022
  18. 18

    Clothing: worn, and other worn articlesHS 630900

    Comes fromUnited States 44%, 59 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBed linen: of man-made fibres, printed, not knitted or crocheted (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 126m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); United States supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 126mdown 31% on 2022
  19. 19

    Flours, meals and pellets: of meat or meat offal, greavesHS 230110

    Comes fromBrazil 38%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFlours, meals and pellets: of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or... (exports USD 489m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 124m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3).

    USD 124mdown 6% on 2022
  20. 20

    Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, unbleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802...HS 480411

    Comes fromUnited States 55%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other... (exports USD 372m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 343k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 18m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 92m, top 13 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Chile's export strengths in the top 10 per cent (3); United States supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 92mdown 57% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Chile already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral... imports USD 220m, exports USD 77m, top source China 35%
  • Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or... imports USD 185m, exports USD 83m, top source China 91%
  • Steel, alloy: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded imports USD 159m, exports USD 84m, top source China 91%
  • Rubber: vulcanised, conveyor belts or belting, reinforced only with metal imports USD 44m, exports USD 3m, top source Germany 47%
  • Fungicides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this... imports USD 83m, exports USD 53m, top source United States 20%
  • Electric detonators imports USD 36m, exports USD 9m, top source France 78%
  • Jackets and blazers: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted) imports USD 36m, exports USD 11m, top source China 95%
  • Crustacean preparations: shrimps and prawns, prepared or preserved, in... imports USD 34m, exports USD 10m, top source China 74%
  • Bed linen: of man-made fibres, printed, not knitted or crocheted imports USD 34m, exports USD 15m, top source China 87%
  • Paper and paperboard: self-adhesive, in rolls or sheets, other than goods of... imports USD 45m, exports USD 28m, top source China 44%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 942 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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