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Employee benefits (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Employee benefits [Line Items] |  |  |
Service cost or benefits received during the year | $ 2 | $ 2 | $ 3
Interest cost in benefit obligation | 359 | 387 | 380
Return loss on plan assets | 1,694 | 293 | (145)
Amortization of prior year losses | 219 | 184 | 68
Net gain during the year | 599 | 610 | 728
Net periodic pension expense | $ 41 | $ 29 | $ (133)

X
- Definition The amount of amortisation expense of prior year losses. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_AmortisationExpenseOfPriorYearLosses
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of service cost relating to periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_CurrentServiceCostPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_EmployeeBenefitsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of interest cost relating to periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_InterestCostPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net gain recognized during the period relating to period pension. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetGainRecognizedDuringPeriodRelatingToPeriodPension
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net periodic pension expense. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_NetPeriodicPensionExpense
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of return (loss) on plan assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sqm_ReturnLossOnPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix: | sqm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration