Yes, absinthe is legal in Chile, but its production, import, and sale are tightly controlled under Decreto Supremo N° 284 of 2009 and SAG’s 2026 regulatory updates. The law permits absinthe with thujone content below 10 mg/kg, aligning with EU standards, and requires mandatory health warnings on labels. Licensed distilleries and importers must register with the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero (SAG) and the Instituto de Salud Pública (ISP), which enforce periodic inspections. Recent amendments now mandate batch testing for methanol and heavy metals, reflecting heightened consumer safety measures.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Chile
- Thujone Limit: Absinthe must contain ≤10 mg/kg of thujone, enforced via SAG-certified lab testing. Exceeding this threshold triggers immediate seizure under Resolución Exenta N° 2.456 (2025).
- Licensing Requirements: Distilleries and importers require ISP approval for alcohol content ≥45% ABV, with mandatory registration in the Registro Nacional de Bebidas Alcohólicas. Failure to comply voids import permits.
- Labeling Mandates: Health warnings in Spanish must occupy ≥10% of the label’s surface area, including phrases like “Contiene alcohol—no recomendado para menores” and thujone content disclosure. Non-compliant labels face ISP fines up to 50 UTM (≈$4,500 USD).