Argentina: Import (product-based)

Plants and plant products (general)

Most imports of plants and plant products must be covered by a sanitary certificate issued by a competent authority in the country of origin and legalized by an Argentine Consulate. Some vegetables and plants are prohibited.
Plants and plant products must enter through specific ports and are subject to inspection.
The National Service of Agricultural Food Health and Quality (SENASA) handles the importation of plants and plant products. Certain products required an import certificate issued by SENASA in addition to a phytosanitary certificate.
Restrictions are generally in place for the importation of sugar, many fruits and vegetables, and some wood products.
There are special regulations concerning the packaging of certain fruits.
There are special regulations concerning the importation of cottonseed and seed potatoes.
Since requirements are complex and subject to change at any time, exporters should seek current information directly from the importer prior to shipment.

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Plants and plant products, including seeds, for use as food

Restrictions are generally in place for the importation of sugar.

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Wood: Lumber and wood products

Import license is required.

Temporary quotas exist on paper and pulp.

(Last updated on 2012-02-15)

Animals and animal products (general)

Many restrictions apply to livestock and animal products.
An import permit is required for many products and by-products of animal and seafood origin. For more information contact SENASA.
A sanitary certificate is required for many animal products.
Products made from milk produced in the United States require a special certificate.
There are special regulations concerning the importation of poultry and eggs.
Items relating to agricultural and veterinary science and research are subject to approval by the Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca .
Since requirements are complex and subject to change at any time, exporters should confer with their importer prior to shipment.

(Last updated on 2011-09-08)

Animal products: Dairy

Special certificates may be required for dairy products from certain countries (including the U.S.).

(Last updated on 2011-09-12)

Animal products: Meat

General requirements for shipping meat and meat products:

• For importation, meat shipped fresh or frozen requires specified inspection and health certification (e.g., a meat inspection certificate) issued by the government of the country of export. Meat must be free of filth, and must be deemed fit for consumption by health officials in the destination country before release for distribution. Meat that has been processed and packaged in such a way as to prevent spoilage during distribution, is subject to generally applicable requirements for importation of processed foods.
• Endangered species: Meat from animals protected under CITES may not be shipped for commercial purposes. In addition, particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease. Such prohibitions vary and are subject to change on very short notice.
  Important: Some countries have additional protected species that are not listed.
• Transportation: Meat that is temperature controlled cargo (either chill or freeze) must arrive in the destination country with its specified temperature range maintained throughout its transportation. Meat that arrives outside of that temperature range, or that has not been maintained continuously at the specified temperature, or that has spoiled, as determined by health officials in country of import, will be condemned. It must then be destroyed, or else downgraded (e.g., limited to animal consumption, or requiring treatment to kill bacteria before distribution).
• Terrorist threat to food supply: Many nations have implemented measures to protect their human and animal food supply from terrorist sabotage. These measures may require pre-importation registration of the supplier, packer and/or supplier, additional supplier documentation and notice of each shipment within a specified time period prior to shipment and/or importation.

(Last updated on 2012-05-17)

Animal feed and nutrients

Pet food that contains ruminant origin materials is prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-02-15)

Endangered species

This country is a member of CITES.
Certain endangered species of plants and animals (and/or items made thereof) may be prohibited or require specialized permits or certificates.
For more detailed information check Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

(Last updated on 2012-04-10)

Food products (general)

The National Service of Agricultural Food Health and Quality (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria - SENASA) handles fresh, chilled, or frozen products and by-products of animal, plant, and seafood origin. An import permit is required for products and byproducts of animal and seafood origin, and these products, when originating from the United States, can only come from certain plants approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service or Food and Drug Administration. Application for the permit must be submitted to SENASA by a registered importer.
Foodstuffs also must be registered with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. The Argentine Food Code (Codigo Alimentario Argentino) regulates food production and marketing; however, this code will eventually be replaced by MERCOSUR standards. Certificate of analysis may be required.
Contact the National Food Institute INAL (Instituto Nacional de Alimentos) regarding product and importer registration requirements for processed food.

Restrictions are generally in place for the importation of sugar.

(Last updated on 2012-02-06)

Food products: Additives, preservatives

Certain food additives and dyes are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Beverages

Wine imports are required to be accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis issued by the designated national authority and in addition a Free Sale Certificate issued by the Chamber of Commerce of the country of exportation. Verify types and extent of services provided by National Chambers of Commerce in the delivery of Certificate of Origin and other documentation required for importation. Also check for address of Diplomatic Representation of Argentina in the country of exportation.

Submit original documentation (no photocopies or faxed copies) for certification. Consular fees may vary in different countries and in general are payable by money order or equivalent method of payment, depending on country of export.Additional information is provided by the National Wine Institute (INV) (Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura), including challenges faced by the Argentinean Wine Industry.

(Last updated on 2012-04-11)

Pharmaceuticals (general)

A certificate of analysis and a free sale certificate are required for certain drugs and pharmaceuticals.
The certificate of analysis must be issued by the Argentine Ministry of Health. The importer is required to submit a sample to the Ministry of Health, along with a label, container, application and technical report on the product. The Ministry of Health will then issue an approval number. This approval number must appear on the label upon importation.

Drugs and pharmaceuticals have additional special labeling requirements.
Consult with importer for specific instructions.

Certain drugs may be imported only through certain ports of entry.

Veterinary products must be registered with the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing, and Food.
There are restrictions on the importation of veterinarian products containing certain chemicals.

For more information contact ANMAT (Administracion Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnologia Medica) (National Administration of Pharmaceuticals, Foods, and Medical Technology).

(Last updated on 2012-04-20)

Medical devices and equipment

Import permit is required.
Medical devices require special certification.

(Last updated on 2012-04-20)

Cosmetics

Import permit is required for cosmetics and toiletries.

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Petroleum and petroleum products

Petroleum products are subject to various additional taxes.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Chemicals, toxic

Certain dangerous chemicals (and products containing them) are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Pesticides, insecticides, fungicides

Insecticides must be registered with the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing, and Food.

(Last updated on 2012-04-20)

Rubber and plastics, and products thereof

Certain plastics and products made of plastic require an import license for statistical purposes.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Iron and steel products

Iron, steel, and other metal products require an import license.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Furniture

Import license is required.

(Last updated on 2011-02-15)

Machinery and appliances (general)

Certain products must meet safety standards. They include:
Household appliances, electronics, electrical products, gas products, toys, covers for dangerous products, steel, protective equipment, and elevators.

For more information on standards contact:
Argentinean Institute for Standardization and Certification (IRAM) (Instituto Argentino de Normalización y Certificación), Peru 552/556, Buenos Aires; phone: +54 11 4346 0600; fax: +54 11 4346 0601; e-mail: iram4@sminter.com.ar

(Last updated on 2012-02-15)

Machinery and appliances: Electrical (line-powered)

A certificate of conformity is required for electrical products. Certificate must be issued by an organization that is accredited by:
OAA (Organismo Argentino de Acreditacion) (Argentine Accreditation Organization).

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Machinery and appliances: Telecommunications equipment, radios, TVs, and RF devices

Generally applicable import requirements for telecommunications equipment:

• Appliances that are connected to line power typically require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country. There are also safety standards on batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries, that are shipped included in such devices.
• There are two concerns regarding emissions, which also require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country:
• Radio frequency interference (RFI): even radios and TV receivers emit weak signals that can interfere with other devices; transmitters, including very low power devices (e.g., cell phones, portable phones) can also cause interference. There are international and/or national standards limiting spurious radio frequency emissions.
• TVs and computer monitors employing cathode ray tube emit very low level gamma radiation, and are subject to maximum radiation standards. (LED and plasma screens, which have all but replaced CRT TVs, do not emit gamma radiation).
• Labeling for point of sale packaging varies by import country, but typical requirements include:
  • Product description
  • Origin country
  • Certifications as to safety, RFI, possibly radiation
  • Warnings: Require safety warnings concerning shock, and radiation if gamma radiation is emitted
  • General consumer product labeling requirements, such as required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and how to contact
  • Intellectual property (IP) protection; counterfeit and mis-branded products prohibited
• Gray market goods restrictions may be in place. Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.
• Some countries now require recycling instructions on these types of products.

For these products it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2012-05-14)

Machinery and capital equipment, used

Capital goods require an Import License.

Imports of used capital equipment require a certificate legalized by an Argentinian Embassies/Consulates in the country of exportation.

(Last updated on 2012-02-15)

Vehicles (general)

There is an import quota system for automobiles and autmobile parts. These quotas are likely to be phased out gradually.
Some types of automobiles and automobile parts must meet local content requirements, depending on their MERCOSUR tariff classification.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Toys, sporting goods, and baby products

An import license is required for toys regardless of their country of origin.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Textiles, apparel and other textile articles (general)

An import license is required for textile products.
Imports of raw cotton are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Textiles and Apparel: Wearing apparel

Import license is required.

(Last updated on 2011-09-06)

Footwear

Temporary quotas exist for footwear.

Import license is required.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Arms and ammunition (general)

The General Directorate of Military Factories must approve imports of weapons.

(Last updated on 2011-09-07)

Arms and ammunition for military or police use

Import permit is required.

(Last updated on 2011-02-15)

Explosives

Import permit is required.

(Last updated on 2011-02-15)

Media containing data, including books

Import license is required for books, newspapers and printed products.

(Last updated on 2011-02-15)

Media containing religious subject matter, including books

Import license is required.

(Last updated on 2011-02-15)

Artwork, antiques, cultural artifacts and collectors items

As a member of UNESCO this country is a signatory of the World Heritage Convention, which defines the kind of natural or cultural sites that are to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. By signing this Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage.

Illicit Export of Works of Art under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act allows for stolen objects to be seized if there is documentation of it in a museum or institution of a state party and issues of world cultural and natural heritage are affected.

The UNIDROIT (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law) Convention on Stolen or Illicitly Exported Cultural Objects of 1995 calls for the return of illegally exported cultural objects.

For reference contact: UNESCO Headquarters: 1, rue Miollis; F-75732 Paris Cedex 15; France; tel: +33 145 681000; fax: +33 145 671690

(Last updated on 2012-04-30)