Country Guide: Argentina

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Original Passport with Manifiesta Esperar Equipaje No Acompanado (note stating that shipper is expecting a household goods shipment), stamped by Customs
• Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Original National Identity Document (DNI) or original Residencia Precaria (if DNI is unavailable)
• Permanent Resident Visa, if applicable
• Full contact details (phone, e-mail and address of delivery)
• Migration Certificate (must indicate the entries and departures of the shipper for the previous 24 months – air shipments only)
• Caution Policy issued by a local insurance company for air shipments (foreigners holding a Temporary Visa)
• Clave Unica de Identification Laboral (CUIL) Certificate / Clave Unica de Identificacion Tributaria (CUIT) Certificate (Argentine and foreign citizens with a Permanent Visa)
• Customs Guarantee (See Annex I for companies registered at Argentine Customs and Annex II for private shippers and unregistered companies)
• Diplomatic Franchise from the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats and military personnel)
• Residence Certificate
• Temporary Permit

 

Specific Information

• Shippers must declare to Customs officers upon entry that a shipment is expected and a note must be provided in the Passport (Diplomats are excluded from this requirement)
• Diplomats must present a full copy of the Passport stamped by the Diplomatic Mission or the official foreign organization where the shipper is employed.
• The origin of the move is the last place of residence of the shipper.
• If the shipper’s Passport was issued within 1 year, a previous Passport must be presented; for citizenship in multiple countries, all Passports must be presented.
• Shipments must arrive within 6 months of the shipper’s stamped date of entry.
• Shippers should be available upon request for attendance at Customs clearance.
• All shipments are subject to physical inspection.
• Documents must be received by the agent at least 48 hours prior to the arrival of the shipment.
• The Residence Certificate must be issued by the Argentine Consulate in the origin country and state the time lived abroad; if the shipper has lived in multiple countries during the previous 2 years, certificates are required from each country.
• The Diplomatic Franchise must be obtained by the Diplomatic Mission or the Official Foreign Organization where the shipper is officially employed.
• If the shipper has lived abroad for more than 1 year and has not re-entered Argentina for more than 60 cumulative days during the 12 months prior to re-entry, the shipment can be imported duty free; the shipper can import only one shipment duty free every 3 years (Argentine and foreign citizens with a Permanent Visa).
• If customer has been living abroad for more than 2 years, the shipment can be imported duty free. Customs will not consider how many days the customer has accumulated in Argentina during the 12 months prior to re-entry; the shipper can import only one shipment duty free every 7 years (Argentine and foreign citizens with a Permanent Visa).
• Shipments of foreigners holding a Tourist Visa cannot be imported.
• All documents written in Spanish must be translated by an official translator and certified by the Colegio Argentino de Traductores.
• Shipment of foreigners holding a Tourist Visa cannot be imported.
• All documents must be certified and legalized by the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Foreigners with a Temporary Resident Visa must pay taxes and duties for the importation of household goods and personal effects of approximately 50% of the freight on board (FOB) value or bring them into the country under temporary admission, as follows:
  • The items must be guaranteed (bonded) for the duration of the Visa or a period determined by Customs when the shipment is released; the Bond must be renewed before the expiration date.
  • The goods can be guaranteed by a local insurance company through a Poliza de Caucion or, if the shipper’s employer is registered as an import/export agent in Argentina, through the signature of a person authorized (most commonly performed).
  • If at the expiration date of the Guarantee the Visa has not be renewed, the goods must be re-exported before the expiration date of the Guarantee and the Visa. If a Permanent Residence Visa has been obtained, the goods must be nationalized the Guarantee will be cancelled without paying taxes or duties.
  • The Bond system is applicable for all moves arriving by sea, land or air.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Shipper’s original Passport
• OBL / CRT / AWB (2 copies)
• Vehicle Title / Documentation (foreigners holding a Temporary Visa)
• Original Purchase Invoice, certified by the Argentine Consulate at origin country
• Diplomatic Franchise (Diplomats and military personnel)
• Temporary admission forms, completed and signed by shipper (foreigners holding Temporary Visa)
• Resident Certificate (issued by the Argentine Consulate in the origin country)

 

Specific Information

• The vehicle Title must be under the shipper’s name for at least 3 months prior to departure from the origin country.
• Vehicles must arrive within 6 months of shipper’s entry date.
• Vehicles must be registered / titles under the shipper’s name
• The importation of new vehicles is subject to the Ministry of Commerce regulations and is limited to certain types of vehicles.
• New vehicles may not be imported.
• Diplomats can import used or new cars with a Diplomatic Franchise issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs duty free. The shipper should confirm that diplomatic status will allow the procedure.
•  Returning Argentine citizens may import used vehicles only (one car and one motorcycle for each adult member of the family). The importation will be dutiable, except in very specific cases.
• Foreigners with permanent resident status may import used vehicles only, under the same rules that apply to returning Argentine citizens.
• Foreigners with a Temporary Visa may import used vehicles under temporary admission and will not be charged duties and taxes. Vehicles are only allowed temporary admission for the duration of the Visa and can be renewed upon renewal of the Visa. Vehicles must be removed from Argentina prior to the expiration of the Visa.
• Vehicles must retain original plates.
• Argentine citizens possessing a Residence Certificate, issued by the Argentine Consulate from the origin country, and living abroad for more than 2 years can import one car duty free unless the car is valued at more than USD $15,000. If so, duties and taxes will be assessed on the vehicle.
• The duties and taxes are as follows:
  • Standard autos 81% of the cost, insurance and freight value (CIF)
  • Diesel 100% CIF
  • Motorcycles 65%
• The Residence Certificate must state the duration the shipper has lived abroad (Argentine citizens with permanent Residence Visa).

Pets

Documents Required

• Veterinary Health Certificate
• Vaccination Record

 

Specific Information

• The Veterinary Health Certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival and stamped by the nearest Argentine Consulate, if possible.
• All documents must accompany animal for entry.
• Dogs and cats arriving from Asia (except Japan) and Africa must obtain a special Import Permit prior to arrival.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Archeological or paleontological patrimony (fossils, human, remains, collections and sediment geological, etc.). Once admitted to the country, its export will not be permitted.
• Works of art and monuments of recent antiquity (authorization is required)
• Wood or items must be treated specifically for pests
• Weapons (must be declared and authorized by the Registro Nacional de Armas (RENAR)
• Alcoholic beverages (30 liters)
• Items considered commercial (determined through quantity, quality or type)
• Original paintings and works of art (specialized form is required; check with agent)

Prohibited Items

• Items compromising public, animal, and agricultural health
• Organic products (soil, firewood, wood, animal parts, dried insects, etc.)
• Narcotics or illegal drugs
• Pornographic material of any kind
• Dangerous, toxic or flammable items
• Stolen or smuggled items
• Currency (actual or counterfeit)
• Food
• Spare parts or parts of any vehicle
• Items which contain an internal – combustion or outboard engines
• Items that are not considered as part of a move for Argentine Customs

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://embassyofargentina.us/embassyofargentina.us/en/home.htm

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1130.html