Can I import Chinese phones (Xiaomi, Huawei) into Chile?

Yes, but the importer must handle Resolution 737 compliance for the device's WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules. Chinese phones have the same short-range modules as any global smartphone. The brand or country of origin does not affect the obligation: the importer with a legal address in Chile is responsible for the compliance page with QR code.

What happens if I sell phones without a SUBTEL QR code in Chile?

It is a violation of Law 18.168 (General Telecommunications Law). SUBTEL can inspect equipment at points of sale, marketplaces, and customs. Penalties include fines and equipment seizure. Marketplaces like MercadoLibre and Falabella are already implementing Resolution 737 compliance controls for electronic devices.

Does a cell phone need a SUBTEL QR code to be sold in Chile?

Yes, but not because of the cellular modem. Cellular communication (2G/3G/4G/5G) operates under an operator homologation regime and is not subject to Resolution 737. However, all modern smartphones include WiFi and Bluetooth — short-range technologies that DO require a compliance page with a QR code under Resolution 737. In practice, every cell phone sold in Chile needs a SUBTEL QR because of its WiFi and Bluetooth modules.

Which technologies in my phone require SUBTEL compliance?

WiFi (literal j.1 — 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands), Bluetooth (literal j.1 — 2.4 GHz band), and NFC if present (literal e — 13.56 MHz). Each module is declared separately on the compliance page. The cellular modem (LTE/5G) is NOT included because it operates on licensed spectrum under a separate regime managed by the carriers.

Does the carrier (Entel, Movistar, Claro) handle the phone's certification?

Only the cellular part. Carriers homologate terminals for their LTE/5G networks, but that homologation does not cover the device's short-range modules. The importer or distributor of the phone is responsible for Resolution 737 compliance for the device's WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules.

Does an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy need a SUBTEL QR?

Yes. All smartphones from global brands (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Motorola, etc.) include WiFi and Bluetooth, which are short-range devices regulated under Resolution 737. The authorized importer in Chile must have a compliance page accessible via a QR code on the packaging declaring the bands and power levels of each short-range wireless module.

Do tablets with a cellular chip also need a QR?

Yes. The presence of an LTE/5G module does not exempt the device from Resolution 737 compliance for its WiFi and Bluetooth modules. Tablets, LTE laptops, smartwatches with eSIM, and any device with SIM + WiFi/Bluetooth must have their compliance page with a QR code.

Cellular SUBTEL Certification Chile: WiFi & Bluetooth Do Require QR

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Cellular (2G/3G/4G/5G) in Chile

Cellular communication doesn't require Resolution 737, but your phone's WiFi and Bluetooth do

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Cellular communication (2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G) is NOT regulated by SUBTEL Resolution 737 — it operates under a completely separate operator homologation regime. However, if you import or sell cell phones in Chile, your device DOES need a SUBTEL QR code: all modern smartphones include WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules that are short-range equipment subject to Resolution 737. This page explains the difference and guides you toward the correct compliance path.

Regulatory category

Literal N/A of Resolution 1985

Cellular communication (2G GSM, 3G UMTS/HSPA, 4G LTE, 5G NR) is NOT regulated by Resolution 1985 or Resolution 737 of SUBTEL. Cellular equipment operates under a separate operator homologation regime, managed directly by telecommunications carriers (Movistar, Entel, Claro, WOM). However, the vast majority of modern cell phones include WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules that ARE short-range devices regulated under literal j.1 (WiFi and Bluetooth) and literal e (NFC) of Resolution 1985.

Why doesn't cellular require Resolution 737?

Resolution 737 exclusively regulates short-range equipment (SRE): short-range, low-power wireless devices such as WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, LoRa, and Zigbee. Cellular communication (2G/3G/4G/5G) operates on licensed spectrum bands, assigned by public tender to telecommunications carriers. Cell terminal homologation is the carrier's responsibility, not the importer's, and follows a technical regime completely independent of Resolution 737.

Your phone DOES need a SUBTEL QR — because of WiFi and Bluetooth

Although the cellular modem is exempt, virtually every modern smartphone includes WiFi (literal j.1), Bluetooth (literal j.1), and NFC (literal e) — three short-range technologies that DO fall under Resolution 737. This means an importer selling cell phones in Chile must have a compliance page with a QR code declaring the device's WiFi and Bluetooth bands, maximum power, RF modules, and importer details with a legal address in Chile. The cellular modem is simply not included in that declaration.

Phone technologies that do require compliance

To comply with Resolution 737 when selling cell phones in Chile, you need to document each short-range wireless module in the device: WiFi (2.4/5/6 GHz bands, literal j.1, up to 1 W EIRP), Bluetooth (2.4 GHz band, literal j.1), and NFC (13.56 MHz, literal e). Each technology has its own power limits and technical requirements that must be declared on the compliance page accessible via the QR code on the packaging.

Frequency bands authorized in Chile

Band	Range	Maximum power	Typical use
700 MHz (Banda 28)	703 – 803 MHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	Wide-coverage 4G LTE — main 4G band in Chile (Movistar, Entel, Claro, WOM)
850 MHz (Banda 5)	824 – 894 MHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	3G UMTS/HSPA and 4G LTE — rural and in-building coverage
1900 MHz (Banda 2)	1.85 – 1.99 GHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	2G GSM, 3G UMTS and 4G LTE — traditional urban band in Chile
2600 MHz (Banda 7)	2.5 – 2.69 GHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	High-capacity 4G LTE — dense urban areas
3.5 GHz (n78)	3.3 – 3.8 GHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	5G NR Sub-6 — main 5G band deployed in Chile

These bands are for reference only — cellular communication operates on licensed spectrum under an operator homologation regime, not under Resolution 1985.

Regime under Resolution 737

Not applicable — Outside Resolution 737 scope

Cellular (2G/3G/4G/5G) communication operates on licensed spectrum assigned to carriers and is NOT regulated by SUBTEL Resolution 737. However, devices with Cellular (2G/3G/4G/5G) modules almost always include WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, which DO require compliance under this resolution. The importer must manage the compliance page and QR code for those short-range modules.

Edge cases and common compliance mistakes

Common mistake: believing that because the phone is 'already homologated by the carrier', it doesn't need a SUBTEL QR. FALSE. Carrier homologation only covers the cellular modem. The WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules of the same phone require independent compliance under Resolution 737.
A single smartphone may need to declare up to 3 different technologies on its compliance page: WiFi (2.4, 5, and potentially 6 GHz), Bluetooth (2.4 GHz), and NFC (13.56 MHz). Each module is documented separately with its specific bands and power levels per the manufacturer's test report.
Tablets with cellular SIM, LTE laptops, smartwatches with eSIM, and any device with cellular + WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity face exactly the same situation: the LTE/5G module doesn't require Resolution 737, but WiFi and Bluetooth do. The presence of a SIM slot does not exempt the device from the SUBTEL QR.

Informational page — compliance via WiFi and Bluetooth

This page explains why Cellular (2G/3G/4G/5G) communication does not require Resolution 737 and which technologies in the same device do. If you sell cell phones, tablets, or laptops with WiFi and Bluetooth in Chile, contact us to manage compliance for the short-range modules.

Related technologies

Frequently asked questions about Cellular (2G/3G/4G/5G)

Can I import Chinese phones (Xiaomi, Huawei) into Chile?: Yes, but the importer must handle Resolution 737 compliance for the device's WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules. Chinese phones have the same short-range modules as any global smartphone. The brand or country of origin does not affect the obligation: the importer with a legal address in Chile is responsible for the compliance page with QR code.
What happens if I sell phones without a SUBTEL QR code in Chile?: It is a violation of Law 18.168 (General Telecommunications Law). SUBTEL can inspect equipment at points of sale, marketplaces, and customs. Penalties include fines and equipment seizure. Marketplaces like MercadoLibre and Falabella are already implementing Resolution 737 compliance controls for electronic devices.
Does a cell phone need a SUBTEL QR code to be sold in Chile?: Yes, but not because of the cellular modem. Cellular communication (2G/3G/4G/5G) operates under an operator homologation regime and is not subject to Resolution 737. However, all modern smartphones include WiFi and Bluetooth — short-range technologies that DO require a compliance page with a QR code under Resolution 737. In practice, every cell phone sold in Chile needs a SUBTEL QR because of its WiFi and Bluetooth modules.
Which technologies in my phone require SUBTEL compliance?: WiFi (literal j.1 — 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands), Bluetooth (literal j.1 — 2.4 GHz band), and NFC if present (literal e — 13.56 MHz). Each module is declared separately on the compliance page. The cellular modem (LTE/5G) is NOT included because it operates on licensed spectrum under a separate regime managed by the carriers.
Does the carrier (Entel, Movistar, Claro) handle the phone's certification?: Only the cellular part. Carriers homologate terminals for their LTE/5G networks, but that homologation does not cover the device's short-range modules. The importer or distributor of the phone is responsible for Resolution 737 compliance for the device's WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules.
Does an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy need a SUBTEL QR?: Yes. All smartphones from global brands (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Motorola, etc.) include WiFi and Bluetooth, which are short-range devices regulated under Resolution 737. The authorized importer in Chile must have a compliance page accessible via a QR code on the packaging declaring the bands and power levels of each short-range wireless module.

Need to certify equipment in Chile?