Doing Business In Argentina

3/4/2008
Certain imported goods for animal or vegetable reproduction, which pay a zero
percent CET.
Certain imported mineral products that pay zero percent CET.
Imported books, brochures, and newsprints.
New imported capital and information and telecommunications-related goods.
Goods imported under the temporary import regime
Import Duties on Capital and Consumer Products
The Government of Argentina (GOA) has reduced the import duty for a broad range of
new capital goods to zero percent. Products classified under approximately 700
harmonized system numbers were affected by this reduction. Most of these goods fall
under chapters 84, 85, 86, 87, 89, 90 and 94. This reduction applies only to imports of
new equipment.
In March 2002, the Argentine Government (GOA) lowered import duties on many
consumer products. The new duties range from 12 to 22 percent. The approximately
1,500 harmonized system codes affected include meat, milk, edible oils, canned
tomatoes, canned meat, canned fish, juices, fruits, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, wood
products, apparel, textiles and footwear, as well as household appliances such as
vacuum cleaners, freezers, shavers, stereos, and telephones. Consumer goods
represented 11 percent of all products imported by Argentina during 2007.
For a complete list of products affected by these regulations contact the U.S.
Commercial Service in Buenos Aires at Buenos.Aires.Office.Box@mail.doc.gov.
Illustrative Study of Direct Import Costs
(In U.S. dollars)
A- The following example illustrates the import of industrial furnaces or ovens (HS
8417.10.10) by a private company, for resale. Imports of capital goods benefit from a
reduction on import duties as well as on the VAT rate.
FOB Base Price US$10,000.00
Freight * 8% US$ 800.00
Insurance * 1% US$ 108.00
CIF = Dutiable Base US$ 10,908
Import Duty 0% US$ 0
Statistics Fee 0% US$ 0
SUBTOTAL US$ 0
VAT Dutiable Base US$ 10,908
VAT 10.5% US$ 1,145.34
VAT (additional) 5% US$ 545.40
Profits Tax (advance) 3% US$ 327.24