Customs controls will be increased with a new analysis system to identify offenders who try to bring undeclared products into the country. In this regard, the inspection will take into account the amount and difference in luggage when leaving the country and when returning.
The number of trips made, the activity the passenger is engaged in and whether he has a history of infractions committed will also be verified. In addition, it contemplates the high-end consumption made by tourists who return from Europe and request a tax refund, known as tax refundsince an alert is automatically triggered that is redirected to the Argentine Customs.
So far, it has been tested in Jorge Newbery Airport and in the Ezeiza Airport, where 52 passengers were inspected, of which 22 were identified as offenders. Among the seized products are clothing, shoes, cell phones, computers, drones, and perfumes in quantities that made it possible to presume that they were being imported for commercial purposes.
By far the most notable case was that of a couple who tried to bring 100 pairs of sneakers and 251 items of clothing into the country in their checked luggage. They arrived in a unit of Air Canada and they carried 15 packages. Violators could be fined nearly $4 million under the terms of the Article 977 of the Customs Codeas reported by the agency.
With all these indicators, the early analysis system can predict violations with 42% effectiveness. The agency warned that violations related to franchise excesses will have to face a fine of 50% of the amount exceeded. On the other hand, those who commit infractions in the baggage regime may have economic sanctions that will triple the value of the products entered.
Although the fine is calculated in dollars at the official value, the fee can be paid in pesos, either in cash, card or through a bank deposit. The customs authorities will convert the amount according to the exchange rate of that moment. In the event that it is prohibited merchandise, it will be seized immediately. To avoid setbacks, it is necessary to know what the Customs regime is for products entering the country.
In the case of technology, entry with a mobile phone and a notebook or tablet per person is enabled, so taxes will not be charged for them, since they are considered items for personal use. With respect to clothing, books, prescription medicines and similar items, Customs does not impose any tax on them only if it considers that they will not be used for commercial purposes.
For other products, each Argentine traveler has an amount limit to enter without paying taxes, something known as “excess”. In this case, travelers arriving by air are capped at 500 dollars that add to the $500 allowed for products purchased in the freeshop upon arrival. Those under 16 years of age, for their part, have a permitted limit of $250the equivalent of half the amount of the franchise for adults.
People who enter products that pay taxes must keep the invoices and have them within reach when they arrive in the country, since, in the case of not having them, Customs could deduct a higher value than paid. Upon returning to Argentina, passengers must complete an affidavit detailing the products purchased and specifying their respective rates. This procedure can be done digitally through the AFIP Travelers application, at self-management terminals or by completing the form by hand. OM 2087/G5 or OM 2087/G6.
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