Bringing Your Phone to Chile: IMEI Registration

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If you are moving to Chile with your existing phone, there are a few things to know. The short version: most modern smartphones work fine in Chile, but you may need to register the IMEI if you are staying long-term.

Will my phone work?

Most international smartphones from the last 5 years are compatible with Chilean networks. Chile uses standard 4G LTE bands (2, 4, 7, 28) and 5G on band n78. If your phone supports these — and most do — it will work.

The main requirement is that your phone must be unlocked. If your phone is locked to a carrier in your home country, you need to unlock it before you can use a Chilean SIM card. Contact your original carrier to request this — it is usually free if your contract has ended.

IMEI registration

Chile requires foreign phones used on local networks for more than 30 days to be registered by their IMEI number (the unique identifier of your device). If you do not register, your phone may eventually be blocked from all Chilean networks.

The registration is done through SUBTEL (Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones). The process involves:

1. Check your IMEI: dial *#06# on your phone
2. Verify that the IMEI is not blacklisted at SUBTEL's verification page
3. Register the device through your mobile operator when you activate a Chilean SIM

In practice, when you buy a prepaid SIM or sign up for a plan, the operator handles most of this. They will ask for your ID (passport or Chilean cédula) and the phone's IMEI. If there is a problem with the IMEI (blacklisted, duplicate, or incompatible), they will let you know.

Practical tips

• Bring your purchase receipt. If customs or your operator questions the origin of the phone, having the original invoice helps prove it is yours and not imported for resale.
• One phone per person enters duty-free as personal property. If you bring multiple devices, you may be asked to pay import duties.
• Warranty does not transfer. Your phone's warranty from another country will not be honored in Chile. If something breaks, you will need to pay for repairs locally or send it back.
• Buy locally if in doubt. Phones bought in Chile come pre-registered and with local warranty. Prices are higher than in the US or Europe, but you avoid all the registration hassle.

For information on Chilean mobile operators and plans, see our mobile phones guide.

Frequently Asked Questions about Phone Import and IMEI Registration