With the advent of the Argentine Republic Import System (SIRA), importers were expected to have certainty when planning their foreign trade operations. Eighty days after its implementation, uncertainty reigns and complications are increasing.
The new system forced the businessman to convince his supplier to finance it, since it established that it could only be paid in installments, with some exceptions. Therefore, the exporter not only has to pay for the production process, but also the logistics, the customs process in our country and the number of days that the BCRA has designated to be able to access the Free and Single Exchange Market. This period can range from 30 to 365 days or more. Cases of SIRA declarations have already been registered with deadlines for access to the exchange market for October 2025.
Many productive chains are resentful, since they need inputs, raw materials or materials that are imported, which have not been able to enter for two months or more. Added to this is the difficulty of importing capital goods. The exchange regime was modified and does not allow its advance payment, which makes the purchase practically unfeasible.
In the case of finished goods, there are not a few SMEs that view the situation with great concern, since they are approaching critical stock levels, mainly in the technological area. Queries arrive every day from different companies that have been waiting for the SIRA to be approved for more than two months, and have still not had any luck.
Large companies have other possibilities, such as accessing financing abroad or even locally in dollars, or they have freely available funds. This allows them to access the SIRAs faster or even be able to pay before the term established by the BCRA.
Unlike multinational companies, SMEs and small businesses have small foreign trade departments -often with just one person-, this makes it very difficult for them to keep up with the changes that have been experienced in the markets. recent months on exchange and customs regulations. Others outsource the task to the dispatcher, who do their best to help them. And the support that they often received from the banks is not being enough, since they are also trying to adapt.
SMEs are the source of 70% of the jobs in the market and today they are in a critical situation. Now more than ever they need all the help they can get from foreign trade professionals to get ahead. Now more than ever, we must support them and not let go of their hand.
Contact information:
Lic. Yanina S. Lojo
mg. in Finance and Control Management
Lojo Consultant Holder
www.consultoralojo.com
@mg.yaninaslojo
by CEDOC