International trade compliance

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
Party to the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls For Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies
Party to the International Coffee Agreement

International Economic Cooperation

Argentina is a member of the following international economic organisations: Latin American and the Caribbean Economic System, WTO, Mercosur, IMF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, ICC, among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates Argentina click here. International organisation membership of Argentina is also outlined here.

Party of the ATA Convention on Temporary Admissions and Use of the Carnets

No

As a Reminder, the ATA is a System Allowing the Free Movement of Goods Across Frontiers and Their Temporary Admission Into a Customs Territory With Relief From Duties and Taxes. The Goods Are Covered By a Single Document Known as the ATA Carnet That is Secured By an International Guarantee System.

Party of the TIR Convention

Yes

As a Reminder, the TIR Convention and its Transit Regime Contribute to the Facilitation of International Transport, Especially International Road Transport, Not Only in Europe and the Middle East, But Also in Other Parts of the World, Such as Africa and Latin America.

Accompanying Documents For Imports

Goods shipped to Argentina must be accompanied by the following documents:
- the Single Administrative Document (SAD)
- the commercial invoice (in 5 copies, preferably in Spanish);
- a phytosanitary certificate (necessary for fruit, vegetables, seeds and other plants);
- a health certificate (necessary for meat);
- a certificate of origin (necessary for certain products like shoes, clothing items or clothes);
- a certificate of analysis (necessary for alcoholic drinks and pharmaceutical products);
- a certificate of freesale for cosmetics;
- the transport documents and packing list.

To go further, check out our service Shipping Documents.

Free-trade zones

Argentina has two types of tax-exempt trading areas: Free-Trade Zones (FTZ), which are located throughout the country, and the more comprehensive Special Customs Area (SCA), which covers all of Tierra del Fuego Province and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2023. The first text of law concerning the free-trade zones was promulgated in 1994. There are currently nine free-trade zones: La Plata, General Pico (La Pampa), Tucuman, Mendoza, Cordoba, Justo Daract, Chubut, Salta, Santa Cruz. Tierra del Fuego is the only special customs area.

For further information, consult the website of the Federal Administration of Public Revenues (AFIP).

For Further Information

Aduana Argentina Centre for International Trade Information (In Spanish)
Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA) Director General for Customs (In Spanish)
Ministry of Trade and International Economic Relations

Non Tariff Barriers

Despite its membership in Mercosur, protectionism still remains in effect. Certain products, such as sugar, textiles, steel, cars and car parts, are protected through Customs restrictions, quotas and/or high Customs duties.

Companies that want to exchange local currency into foreign currency must ask the 'Administration Federal de Ingreso Público', AFIP (Federal Public Revenue Administration) for authorisation.

In order to be imported, some products, including pharmaceuticals, insecticides, medical devices, need prior approval from the Government. Products such as agricultural goods, livestock and plants require sanitation certificates issued by a competent authority in the country of origin.

Sectors or Products For Which Commercial Disagreements Have Been Registered With the WTO

Tiles, ceramics, poultry, cotton.

Assessment of Commercial Policy

Argentina and the WTO, World Trade Organisation
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the United States
Barriers to exchanges, inventoried by the EU
Sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, inventoried by the EU