Argentina
ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED:
Argentine Citizens and Foreign Citizens With Permanent Residence:
- Valid and original passport(s) showing clearly that shipper has been a resident in another country for a period not less than 12 months, and that such residence has not been interrupted with entries into Argentina for more than 60 days (accumulative) in the last 12 months prior to shipper’s re-entry.
- Two Original B/L’s or AWB’s.
- Certificate of Residence issued by Argentine Consulate in the country of Origin. (Not required for foreigners).
Foreign Citizens:
- Valid and original passport(s) with 1 year visa. (If possible, it is best to obtain resident visa at origin. Nevertheless, clearance of sea shipments can be performed with 1 year visa or "Residencia Precaria". For air shipments, see note in special requirements paragraph).
- Two Original B/L's or AWB’s.
- Temporary Admission Forms (Guarantee forms) for sea shipments which will be provided by your OMNI Agent to the account and shipper prior to shipment’s arrival.
Diplomats / Military Personnel:
A Diplomatic Franchise must be obtained from the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Diplomatic Mission or the Official Foreign Organization where the shipper is officially employed.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Shipment must arrive in Argentina within six months of shipper's first entry into the country, or no more than three months before. (To enter before, contact us in advance to coordinate with customs.)
Although it is not necessary for the shipper to be physically present at customs for clearance formalities, he/she must be in the country to sign certify papers and provide us with his original passport. If shipper is an Argentine Citizen returning or Foreign Citizen with Permanent Residence and does not comply with these Customs Regulations, taxes and duties will be applicable at a rate of 50 %, calculated on the FOB value of the shipment.
As per new Customs requirements, shipper's passport must show a note written and stamped by Customs stating that shipper is expected to receive a shipment of household goods ("Manifiesta esperar equipaje no acompa?ado") that will allow the importation of the shipment into Argentina. This will be mandatory for all shippers regardless of their nationality and the type of Visa they hold (but not for shippers importing the moves with Diplomatic Franchise). In other words, each shipper must declare at the moment of entering Argentina (at the airport and to Customs officers) that he/she is expecting a move to get this fact clearly noted in the passport. This will allow us to perform the Customs clearance process.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Foreigners With Temporary Resident Visa must pay taxes and duties for the importation of personal effects and household goods (50% on the FOB value) or should bring them into the country under temporary admission in accordance with the present guarantee system. The belongings must be guaranteed (bonded) for the duration of the visa and the Bond documents must be renewed each time the visa is renewed.
Goods can be guaranteed by:
- A local bond insurance company through a “Caution policy” (P?LIZA DE CAUCI?N) ;
- A company that is registered as an import/export agent in Argentina and has its signature registered with Customs Authorities (this is the more common way used by established companies)
In the case that the client can not comply with these requirements, the move can be imported by paying the taxes and duties as mentioned above.
If at the expiration date of the guarantee the visa has not been renewed, the goods must be re-exported before the expiring of the Guarantee and the Visa. If a permanent residence visa has been obtained, the goods must be nationalized and the guarantee will be cancelled.
Note: In the case of air shipments, the move of foreigners holding a Temporary Visa, the move can be imported duty free only if the consignee has a 1 (one) year Visa. The shipper must pay taxes and duties if he holds a 3 or 6 months Temporary visa.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- Illegal drugs
- Child pornography
- Perishable goods
- Items which contain an internal-combustion engine (*)
- Plants
(*) These items are prohibited to be nationalized only (Argentine citizens returning or foreigners with permanent Visa). They may be imported on a temporary basis for foreigners with temporary Visa.
RESTRICTED ITEMS:
- Firearms (See special regulations for their importation)
- Alcoholic beverages: up to 30 litres of alcoholic beverages can be imported duty free. Please contact us prior the embarkation if the client wants to bring more.
- Food
- Items that, according to the quantity, quality or type, can be considered to have a commercial purposes.
ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF ORIGINAL PAINTINGS
The importation of original paintings or works of art is not restricted in Argentina. Nevertheless, Argentine Customs require us to attach an exhaustive and detailed declaration of all works of art in a special form.
ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS
Please note that the firearms must be accommodated near the door of the container to be verified at Customs here in Argentina.
The nationalization and permanent importation of firearms will just be allowed for Argentine Citizens returning of foreigners holding a Permanent Residence Visa in Argentina. Foreigners holding a Temporary Visa can import firearms just on temporary basis for 3 months (please check with us before shipping the cargo).
The import permit (permanent or temporary) must be issued and obtained before the shipment arrival and on personal basis at "RENAR" (Registro Nacional de Armas). The Customer must get a Certificate from the Argentine Consulate at origin with the details of the firearms. This document is mandatory and the customer won't be able to start the procedure without it.
ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF VEHICLES
DIPLOMATS are able to import used or new cars with a Diplomatic Franchise issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
RETURNING ARGENTINE CITIZENS may import used vehicles only, under the same rules that apply to Argentine citizens returning.
PERSONS WITH PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS may import used vehicles only, under the same rules that apply to Argentine citizens returning.
PERSONS WITH TEMPORARY VISA may import used cars under temporary admission. The car is only allowed temporary admission for the same period the client has the Visa and can be renewed if the client renews the Visa. Before the visa expires, the vehicle must be removed from Argentina. VEHICLE MUST KEEP THE ORIGINAL PLATES.
General Requirements:
- Car must enter Argentina within (6) six months after shipper/owner arrival.
- Vehicle and its documentation must be under shipper's name.
- Importation of new cars is subject to Ministry of Commerce regulations and is limited to certain types of vehicles. New vehicles can not be imported as part of the move
Documentation Required for Argentine Citizens and Foreign Citizens with Permanent Residence:
1) Owner’s original passport.
2) 2 Original B/L’s.
3) Complete car documentation including the property title under the name of the shipper.
- Original purchase invoice.
- Certificate of Residence issued by the Argentine Consulate at origin country ( for Argentine citizens returning only)
Note: All documents that are not issued in Spanish must be translated by an official Translator and certified by the Argentine College of Translators.
Duties / Taxes:
Approximately 80% of car CIF value for normal cars , 100% for diesel cars and 65% for motorcycles.
Argentine citizens returning can use this franchise (always paying taxes and duties) only once per lifetime and Customs will authorize just one for each adult member of the family.
ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF WOODEN PACKING
Argentina has officially adopted ISMP standards regarding treatment of wood packing materials since March 1st, 2006. Please note that the stamp in wood won't be sufficient. You will have to send the proper certificate. Please send this certificate together with the shipment documentation.
ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF DOGS AND CATS
Updated on 12/3/2009 10:01:49 AM