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Help and Support

Solutions center: key questions, common errors and support contact.

What do I need to do to access the BDE API?

To access the API, you need to obtain your API Key Token. To do so, you must have an account in the Statistical Database (BDE), enable API usage, and once those steps are completed, find your token in "My Account", under the "Apikey Token" section.

Access is immediate and free once you have your BDE account properly configured. There is no need to submit formal requests, send certifications or documents, sign specific contracts for API use, or wait for approvals or external validation processes before using it.

More details: For a complete guide to the registration and enabling process, see the API Access section.

How do I get my API Key Token?

The general process to obtain your API Key Token is:

Steps to obtain your API Key Token:

  1. Have a BDE account: If you do not have one yet, create your account first.
  2. Enable API usage: Complete the one-time API enablement from the API access page.
  3. Go to "My Account": In BDE, open your profile settings.
  4. Find "Apikey Token": In that section you will find your personal API Key Token to authenticate API calls.

Important: In the "Apikey Token" administration you can also copy your token, renew it, or extend its expiration date.

What happens if my API Key Token expires?

Your API Key Token is valid for 1 year, starting from the moment you enable API usage. After that period, the token stops working for API queries.

If your API Key Token has already expired, you can use "Renew Token". If your token is close to expiration and you want to keep using the same token, you can use "Extend expiration date".

These options are available in the "Apikey Token" administration inside "My Account" in BDE.

Can I continue using my username and password credentials?

Yes. Your BDE username and password credentials will continue working across API modalities to preserve operational continuity for existing user analyses and automations.

Even so, we recommend migrating to API Key Token, as it helps strengthen the security of the BDE API and your personal data.

How can I use the API?

The BDE API can be used in three different ways depending on your technical needs and the programming language you use:

  • Python Library: Install packages like bcchapi that simplify data access with native Python functions.
  • REST Service: Make standard HTTPS requests. Compatible with any language (JavaScript, Python, R, Java, etc.). Ideal for web integrations and modern applications.
  • SOAP Service: Create a SOAP client to call specific methods. Especially useful in C# and .NET, but compatible with other enterprise languages.

Full details: For code examples, parameters and step-by-step guides, see the Documentation section.

Where can I see examples of API usage?

In the Documentation section you will find complete examples for each type of use:

  • bcchapi library: Usage documentation and applied example in Python.
  • REST Webservices: Usage documentation and applied example in R.
  • SOAP Webservices: Usage documentation and applied example in C#.

Each documentation explains step by step how to use the service and then includes a complete practical example.

Series catalog: Also available the series finder to find series codes.

Where can I find the codes for CPI, USD, UF, UTM, etc?

To search for codes and query data, you can use the series finder where you can review the details of the series that suit your specific needs.

However, the most commonly used codes for this type of data are:

  • UF: F073.UFF.PRE.Z.D
  • UTM: F073.UTR.PRE.Z.M
  • CPI (base 2023): F074.IPC.VAR.Z.EP23.C.M
  • USD: F073.TCO.PRE.Z.D
Are there query limits?

Yes, there are technical limits to ensure good service operation for all users. The limit is up to 5 series per second per account, regardless of the IP addresses from which queries are made.

What does this limit mean?

  • You can query a maximum of 5 different series codes every second.
  • The limit applies per user account, not per IP.
  • There is no limit on the total number of daily queries.

Important: In case of repeated non-compliance, the Central Bank of Chile reserves the right to suspend API access temporarily or permanently.

Can I redistribute the data?

Yes, it is allowed. The Central Bank of Chile allows free consultation, reproduction, dissemination, publication and adaptation of all information contained in the Statistical Database (BDE), mentioning at all times that it is property of the Central Bank of Chile or the original source of the data.

If you make modifications, transformations or analysis of the original data, you must clearly indicate that the adaptation is your property and responsibility, while the original data belongs to the Central Bank of Chile. For detailed information on data use, see the Terms and Conditions section.

"Invalid token"

If you enter an incorrect, invalid, or expired API Key Token, this error may appear and prevent API usage. The solution depends on your specific situation:

  • First time using the API: If this is your first time, register in the BDE, enable API usage, and then obtain your token in "My Account" under "Apikey Token". You can review the full process in API Access.
  • Expired or near-expiration token: If your token expired, use "Renew Token". If it is close to expiration and you want to keep using the same token, use "Extend expiration date".
  • If the error persists: If after trying the solutions above the problem continues, contact technical support through https://contactocentral.bcentral.cl/ to request assistance.

Important tip: Copy the token directly from "My Account" to avoid mistakes when typing.

Timeout error / Connection reset / Slowness

If an error appears associated with API connection problems, wait a few minutes and retry the query. If the problem persists, document the specific error that appears to you, the type of code you are using (Python, REST endpoint, SOAP client, etc.) and the time it occurred, then request technical support with these details through https://contactocentral.bcentral.cl/.

CPI base 2018 series does not return current data

As of January 2024, the reference CPI series is in base 2023=100, not base 2018. So to query current CPI data you should use the following updated series: to query the index use the series F074.IPC.IND.Z.EP23.C.M and to query the variation use the series F074.IPC.VAR.Z.EP23.C.M.

Additional resources: Search for other codes related to CPI base 2023 in the series finder.

Problem using the "frequency" parameter in Python with bcchapi library

Sometimes using the frequency parameter redundantly causes certain observations not to appear in the results. For example, when querying a monthly series, you should avoid using frequency="M" in the parameters of the .table() method. This repeats for other frequencies (daily, quarterly, annual).

Recommendation: Use minimum necessary parameters and verify metadata. For more details of the bcchapi library methods, see the documentation section.

In case of any questions or problems, contact us through Central Contact:

To improve the clarity of the response

It is recommended to include the following context in your query:

  • Description of the specific error or problem you are experiencing
  • Development environment: Python, R, C#, etc.
  • Access method: REST, SOAP, or bcchapi library
  • Source code used (relevant snippet)
  • Series codes queried if applicable
  • Exact date and time the problem occurred