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AIRPORT
FORMALITIES FOR ENTERING CHILE Chile requires all passengers entering the country to present a passport as identification. However, citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay only need to show their ID cards. VISAS Chile’s immigration legislation requires passengers from some countries to present a passport stamped with a visa. If these individuals do not present a visa, they will be denied entry. This is the case for citizens of the People’s Republic of China, India, and Egypt. Similarly, citizens from nations that do not have diplomatic relations with Chile must request a tourist visa for entry. If any participant require an invitation letter from the Local Organizing Committee for the visa request at the Chilean consulate, the interested parties should contact us to the organization email (contact@icpp-lawpp-2010.cl). RECIPROCITY FEE Citizens of the following countries must pay this tax upon entering Chile:
This fee may be paid in cash with US dollars or with a credit card or travelers cheques. The following credit cards are accepted: American Express, Visa and MasterCard Passengers with US, Canadian, and Albanian passports pay this fee once for the entire duration of their passport. The fee paid by passengers with Mexican and Australian passports is valid for 90 days. *Passengers carrying diplomatic and official passports do not pay reciprocity fees. CUSTOMS After arriving in Chile and going through the International Police booth, the passenger must report to the Customs and Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero, SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) desks to declare all items s/he is carrying by filling out the information requested on the Joint Customs Declaration. Items that are considered part of the passenger’s baggage are exempt from customs duties: Baggage may include: • Video recorder, used, and recorded videos for family use. • Mobile cellular telephone, used. • Photographic camera, used. • Sports equipment for personal use, used. • Medicine, in quantities appropriate to the passenger’s needs and length of stay in Chile, either over-the-counter or with the respective prescription. • Portable CD player, used. • Portable cassette player, used. • Eyeglasses, used; gifts, new or used, with a value of up to 150 dollars or the equivalent in another currency, for each passenger over 15 years of age. • Books, newspapers, magazines, and all printed material in general, new or used. • Passengers who have some degree of disability or sickness may enter the country with the auxiliary means and equipment necessary for their mobilization. EQUIPMENT INTERNMENT (TEMPORARY ADMISSION) Members of the press who plan to enter the country with equipment must send an equipment list (including quantity, characteristics, etc.) to the Meeting’s organizers prior to arrival. This list must also include the flight itinerary of the person(s) traveling with equipment. PROHIBITED MERCHANDISE Chile prohibits and penalizes the possession and trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances, and of elements, material instruments, or equipment used in the manufacture, creation, preparation, or extraction of drugs. Any of these activities constitutes a felony. Recommendations: • Do not accept items belonging to others and do not carry items as a favor for strangers. • Do not agree to carry objects belonging to others if you do not know what they contain. • If you carry medicines and the quantities exceed your normal dosages, they will be assumed to have a commercial use and will be retained by the National Customs Service. ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE HEALTH The Servicio Agrícola Ganadero, SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service) carries out phytosanitary inspections at the point of entry. The internment of products or sub-products of animal or vegetable origin is strictly prohibited, except for those accompanied by an Official Sanitary Certificate issued by their country of origin. VACCINATIONS No vaccinations are required for entry into Chile, and there is no risk of diseases like malaria or hepatitis. Water in Chile is fully drinkable, however, we recommend getting used to it gradually, and in this period you may drink mineral water, which is widely available. INTERNATIONAL BOARDING IN THE COMODORO ARTURO MERINO BENÍTEZ AIRPORT When going through the International Police booth to exit Chile, each passenger will be required to present his/her identification documents (ID card or passport), stamped visa (depending on the passenger's destination country), and boarding pass. The departure gates are located beyond Airport Security. Only those passengers who are leaving the country will be allowed in this part of the airport. BOARDING TAXES • Domestic boarding tax: US$ 11 • International boarding tax: US$ 30 For more information, see www.aeropuertosantiago.cl OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION CURRENCY Chile’s currency unit is the Chilean peso ($ or CLP). Bills are issued in denominations of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000. Metal coins come in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $50, $100, and $500 The Chilean peso has the following parity, approximately: CLP$ 550 : US$1 and CLP$ 817 : Є1. However, passengers should find out the exact parity close to the date of their arrival in Chile. Money may be exchanged freely at banks and currency exchanges, hotels, and/or the airport, and no special documentation is required. Dollars and euros are not accepted at all places of business, so we suggest having some Chilean cash on hand. Credit cards are accepted at most stores, and can also be used at ATMs if they have the "Cirrus" or "Plus" logo. ATMs are English-Spanish bilingual. The most common and widely-accepted credit cards are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club. Automatic Teller Machines are easy to find, especially in areas where banks and currency exchanges are located, and also at gas stations, pharmacies, and in malls and supermarkets. They only administer Chilean currency. For more information, see www.thisischile.cl FOREIGN CURRENCIES There is currently no control of foreign currencies for tourists. Tourists may enter or exit the country with national or foreign currencies, or any other payment methods. TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION Chile’s country code is 56. The area code for Santiago is 2, and 32 for Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. There are many communications companies that provide carrier services for domestic and international long-distance phone calls, and their rates vary. We recommend asking about rates and services before making a phone call. Calls may be made by dialing directly, or with the help of an operator. To call from one place in Chile to another, within national territory, you must dial as follows: Multicarrier code + area code + local phone number (for example: XXX – 2 - 473 2000). TRANSPORTATION Taxis are black vehicles with a yellow roof. They have a meter and charge a base rate of $200, which increases in proportion to the route taken. Taxis circulate 24 hours a day. There are also many radiotaxi companies that transport passengers from one fixed point to another for a set rate. They can be reached by phone. Santiago’s Metro runs from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Monday-Saturday) and 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM (Sunday). Fares vary and are higher at rush hour. For more information, see www.metrosantiago.cl. You must pay tolls to travel on Santiago’s urban highways. Tolls are charged using an electronic apparatus called TAG. There is a daily pass which costs approximately $3,100 and can be purchased from the Web sites below, at gas stations close to the highways, and at toll booths. If driving a rental, the toll fees will be added to your bill upon returning the car. You may buy a TAG from the following Web sites: www.autopistacentral.cl www.costaneranorte.cl www.vespucioexpress.cl www.autopistavespuciosur.cl CLIMATE Latitude, altitude, and proximity to the ocean are all determining factors in the variety of Chile's climates. Moving from north to south, rainfall generally increases and temperatures drop. For more information, see www.meteochile.cl or www.sernatur.cl ELECTRICITY Voltage in Chile is 220 volts 50 cycles (220v 50Hz). Electric appliances designed for a voltage of 110v will need a transformer. However, most portable appliances, including personal computers, come with a voltage transformer that automatically adjusts to the power used in Chile. In any case, we do recommend examining each appliance to determine its specific situation. SECURITY There are two police forces in Chile. Carabineros de Chile police officers wear green uniforms and are in charge of maintaining order and public safety throughout national territory. Policía de Investigaciones (PDI) is Chile’s civil police force and is in charge of scientifically and technically investigating crimes. Only police men or women may ask for identification documents or passports. If documents are requested by the investigations police (who do not wear uniforms), the officer must show his/her badge. EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS • Carabineros Uniformed Police 133 • Investigations Police 134 • Fire 132 • Ambulance 131 |
