He Government of Argentina has announced a measure that promises to change the landscape of online purchases abroad: starting in December 2024, taxes on the first 400 dollars of each shipment and the import limit of 1,000 to 3,000 dollars by shipping via system courier.
This decision seeks to facilitate access to products at more competitive prices, especially in key sectors such as textile and the technological.
He Minister of Economy, Luis Caputostressed the importance of this initiative, indicating that it will allow all Argentines, not only those who have the possibility of traveling, to access products such as clothes, toys y small appliances more economically.
“We want all Argentines to be able to access more competitive prices, not just those who have the opportunity to travel and bring clothes, toys and/or small appliances from abroad,” commented Caputo in the end of year holidays.
The courier system, used by popular platforms such as Amazonwill allow Argentines to make international purchases with a limit of up to 3,000 dollars per shipment, compared to the current limit of 1,000 dollars.
Furthermore, the first 400 dollars of each shipment will be exempt from tariffs and the statistical rateand only the Value Added Tax (VAT) corresponding. For the excess of that amount, the remaining taxes will be applied.
During the announcement, the presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adornigave a practical example to illustrate the benefits of these changes: a jacket that costs abroad 100 dollars currently pay 67 dollars in taxes, raising its cost to 167 dollars. With the new measure, that same garment will pay only 21 dollars of taxes, reducing its total cost to 121 dollars.
This change will allow Argentine consumers to obtain imported products at prices closer to the originals, making online shopping a more viable and attractive option.
Another example is found in the small applianceswhere current tariffs are 20%plus a 3% statistical ratewhich considerably increases the final cost of the products. With the elimination of these tariffs in the first 400 dollarsconsumers will see a significant reduction in the total price.
In addition to benefiting consumers, the measure has a positive impact on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). These companies will be able to import the products more quickly and easily. inputs, spare parts y parts necessary for their operations, which will improve their production capacity and competitiveness.
According to sources from the Ministry of Economythe extension of the import limit was a recurring demand from SMEs, which faced difficulties in accessing essential materials due to previous restrictions.
This change also aligns Argentina with other nations in the region regarding import policies. For example, in Brazil y Chilethe limit for international shipments is 3,000 dollarswhile in Colombia y Peru amounts to 2,000 dollars. Until now, the country was one of the countries with the greatest restrictions, with a limit of 1,000 dollarsa situation that made competition in the local market difficult and made imported products more expensive.
Although the measure is broad, not all products will be able to benefit from these facilities. As reported by spokesperson Adorni, goods with technical restrictions, such as fresh foods regulated by Senasamedications and some chemical precursorswill be outside the new regulations. These products require specific controls that do not allow their inclusion in the flexible import regime.
It is important to note that these changes will not affect the “door-to-door” system used by official couriers. This system will continue to operate under its own conditions, and it is anticipated that there will be modifications to its regime in the coming weeks, according to government sources.
