South America - Chile reciprocity tax for transit passengers

An Australian friend is entering Chile (he will go through inmigration) for less than 12 hours in transit to Brazil. Does he has to pay the reciprocity tax in that circunstance?

If you leave the secured area of the airport (i.e., enter Chile, i.e., breathe fresh air), and do anything other than an international to international connection, where you just go through transit security, and then go back upstairs to departures, you pay the fee.

Is there a reason he can't do an international-to-international connection and never actually "enter" Chile? Does he have to go through passport control? That's the deciding factor for him having to pay the fee.

Is there a reason he can't do an international-to-international connection and never actually "enter" Chile? Does he have to go through passport control? That's the deciding factor for him having to pay the fee.

yes, to say Hi to an old friend.

Then he has to decide if saying hello to his friend is worth US$61. That's what it comes down to.

If your friend were American, it would cost US$132 to say hi.

If your friend were American, it would cost US$140 to say hi.