Flying to Chile: the SAG declaration on plant and animal products is required on every entry

Every traveller aged 18 or over entering Chile must complete the sworn declaration of Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service, SAG, on plant and animal products, and a new declaration is needed each time you enter the country. Adults travelling with children must declare the contents of the minors’ luggage on their own form.

SAG asks passengers to declare any product, part or by-product of plant or animal origin carried in clothing or luggage, as well as items used in farming, livestock or forestry, regardless of quantity or of how long ago they were obtained. Its examples include fruit and vegetables, seeds and grains, soil, flowers, wood, pesticides and fertilisers, live animals, meat products, dairy, honey and other beekeeping products, veterinary medicines and animal feed.

The declaration can be made online through SAG’s web application, which can be completed up to one day before arrival, using a ClaveÚnica where the traveller has one. Those without digital access can ask for the traditional paper form at the border control. Passengers must show the declaration when SAG staff ask for it, and luggage may be checked by hand, by X-ray or by SAG’s detector-dog unit. Products are inspected whether or not they were declared, and SAG warns that false information can lead to a fine.

Before flying, check SAG’s own page for the current form, and declare anything you are unsure about rather than leave it off.