We examined both the role of HCO3-CO2 in Cl transport as well as the effect of in vivo acid-base status on Cl transport by the rabbit cortical collecting tubule. The lumen-to-bath 36Cl tracer flux, expressed as the rate coefficient KCl, was measured in either HEPES-buffered (CO2-free) or HCO3-CO2-containing solutions. Amiloride was added to the perfusate to minimize the transepithelial voltage and thus the electrical driving force for Cl diffusion. Because KCl fell spontaneously with time in HCO3-CO2 solutions in the absence but not the presence of cAMP, we used cAMP throughout to avoid time-dependent changes. Acute in vitro removal of bath HCO3-CO2 reduced KCl. Acetazolamide addition in HEPES-buffered solutions also lowered KCl; KCl could be restored to control values by adding exogenous HCO3-CO2 in the presence of acetazolamide. In vivo acid-base effects on Cl transport were determined by dissecting tubules from either NaHCO3-loaded or NH4Cl-loaded rabbits. Tubules from HCO3-loaded rabbits had higher rates of Cl self exchange. Acute in vitro addition of bath HCO3-CO2 increased KCl and did so to a greater degree in tubules from HCO3-loaded rabbits. Most of this effect of HCO3-CO2 addition on KCl could not be accounted for by Cl-HCO3 exchange; rather, it appeared due to stimulation of Cl self exchange. The data are consistent with 36Cl transport occurring via Cl-HCO3 exchange as well as Cl self exchange. Both processes are acutely stimulated by HCO3 and/or Co2, and both are chronically regulated by in vivo acid-base status.