30/07/2026 15:27 - Economia
The Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA) – Argentina’s tax and customs authority – has officially enacted a new regulatory framework that breathes fresh air into cross-border shopping and exports. Through General Resolutions 5883/2026 and 5884/2026, published in the Official Gazette and effective from July 30, 2026, customs procedures are simplified and old bureaucratic hurdles are removed.
To understand these changes, it’s important to grasp the concept of FOB value (Free On Board). This refers to the price of the product when it is loaded onto the transport, excluding international freight and insurance costs. The new regulations clarify that shipping costs are not counted toward the established limits.
Consumers who enjoy platforms like Shein, Temu, or Amazon will find a much friendlier landscape. The door-to-door system allows packages to be delivered directly to your home without in-person paperwork, under these conditions:
Additionally, the new system includes a prior digital validation. The postal operator will submit an advance declaration, and the user will have 24 hours to review, correct, or complete the data online, greatly speeding up the process.
One of the most encouraging news is the complete elimination of the FOB value limit for exports via courier. Previously, if a shipment exceeded $3,000, it fell outside the simplified system and had to be processed as a formal export, with higher costs and longer delays.
This measure is a direct boost for entrepreneurs and small businesses that sell Argentine products to the world – such as wines, alfajores, dulce de leche, or books – meeting the demand of Argentine communities abroad.
This country hated exports; the cap acted like an invisible wall that held back growth.
The new regime exempts personal shipments from various interventions that previously delayed packages. The following are no longer required:
Specific rules apply for special cases:
| Category | Weight Limit | Value Limit (FOB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medications | 50 kg | $3,000 | Requires prior authorization from ANMAT. |
| Laboratory samples | 50 kg | $10,000 | If for certifications in foreign markets. |
| Scientific supplies (Law 25,613) | 50 kg | $3,000 | Requires ROECYT certificate. |
| Works of art | 50 kg | No limit | Exempt from value condition. |
If a package exceeds the allowed limits, the recipient will have 15 calendar days to decide whether to import it under the general regime (paying all taxes) or request its return to the country of origin.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
