Argentina: Business/trade

Commercial holidays

New Year's: January 1; Memorial Day: March 24; Veterans Day (Malvinas only): April 2; Good Friday: (varies According to Year); Labor Day: May 1; National Day: May 25; Flag Day: (varies According to Year; Independence Day: July 9; San Martin Day: (varies According to Year); Columbus Day: (varies According to Year); Immaculate Conception: December 8; Christmas Day: December 25; New Year's Eve: December 31

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Note: Public holiday celebrations may cause delays in commercial transport of goods. It is best to check with your agent in the country about the extent of business stoppage during holidays.

For more information on specific holidays, see Argentina Public & Bank Holidays 2013.

(Last updated on 2012-04-27)

Major trade agreements

Argentina is a member of MERCOSUR (Mercado Commun del Sur - Common Market of the South), along with Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Chile and Bolivia are associate members.
It also belongs to the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) or ALADI - Asociacion Latinamericana de Integracion) with Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras.

Argentina is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

(Last updated on 2011-09-02)

Government trade information

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Commercio Internacional Y Culto (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Religious Affairs), Esmeralda 1212, Piso 13, C1007ABP Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 4819 7000; fax: +54 11 4819 7324 [Spanish only]

Ministro de Economía y Finanzas Públicas (Ministry of Economy and Public Finances), Hipolito Yrigoyen, CP, C1086AAB Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 4349 5000, +54 11 4349 6968 through +54 11 4349 6970; fax: +54 11 4349 6965;
e-mail: edinfpub@mecon.gov.ar

Secretaría de Industria, Comercio y Minería (Secretariat of Industry, Commerce and Mining), Av. Julio A. Roca 651, Piso 2, Of. 213, C1067ABB Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 4349 3143 through 3450; fax: +54 11 4349 3264; e-mail: dgeorgi@mecon.gov.ar

Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca , Av Paseo Colón 982 (1063) Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tel: 54 11 4349 2000

Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Public Health), Av. 9 de Julio 1925, C1073ABA Buenos Aires;
phone: +54 11 4379 9038, +54 11 4379 9232; email: consultas@msal.gov.ar

Direccion General de Aduanas (National Customs Administration) (Administracion Federal de Ingresos Publicos - AFIP), Azopardo 350, C1107ADD Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 081 0999 2347; fax: +54 11 4338 6644 [in Spanish only]
Departamento de Tecnicas de Importacion, Administracion Nacional de Aduanas (Technical Administration for Imports, National Customs Administration), Azopardo 350, First Floor, 1328 Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 4343 0661 through +54 11 4343 0669; fax: +54 11 4331 9881

Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación (Argentina's Standards Institute), Peru 552/556, C1068AAB Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 4346 0600; fax: +54 11 4346 0601; e-mail: iram@iram.org.ar

(Last updated on 2011-09-08)

Additional trade information

Review the Argentina country profile issued by the Federation of International Trade Associations - FITA

Also review the updated Argentina/IMF country report.

(Last updated on 2011-10-28)

Traveler requirements (visas, samples, etc.)

A visa is required for visits to Argentina by citizens of some countries.
See overview of Argentina Visa Requirements.

For detailed information contact:
Argentina Embassy, 65 Brook Street London W1K 4AH Tel. + 44 20 7318 1300 Fax. + 44 20 7318 1301 info@argentine-embassy-uk.org (General Information)
Argentina Embassy, 1600 New Hampshire Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20009-2512; phone: +1 202 238 6401 (General), +1 202 238 6460 (Consular Section); fax: +1 202 238 6471

Look for addresses of Argentinian Embassies/Consulates with jurisdiction over your country of residence.

(Last updated on 2011-09-02)

Business customs

All business in Argentina is transacted in Spanish, and all documents and records should be in Spanish.
Although most Argentines with a secondary school education understand English, a good working knowledge of Spanish is essential for anyone planning to work in Argentina for any length of time.
Any printed matter translated into Spanish should be reviewed first by a native Argentine to assure its suitability in Argentina.
A prior appointment for a business call is usually necessary and considered a courtesy.
Negotiations are based on personal contacts.
Business dress, appearance and general approach should be conservative.

For more information see Business Customs and Etiquette.

(Last updated on 2011-09-02)