The government ends 2025 by deepening its path to deregulation of foreign trade

The government is ending the year on the same course with which it began its administration: deregulation of foreign trade, removal of bureaucratic obstacles to the export and import of various goods and services.

Through Decree 892/2025, last Wednesday, December 17, the Executive Branch established that the technical requirements for the import and marketing of goods are considered to be met if they have recommendations from reference countries or accredited organizations in order to speed up commercial exchanges.

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According to the official regulations, the aim is to simplify procedures, eliminate unnecessary controls and speed up the receipt of goods, in line with Argentina’s commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the multilateral agreements added by Law 24,425.

The measure provides that certificates issued by official authorities or recognized certification organizations or test reports from accredited laboratories can be presented, provided that they demonstrate compliance with the same technical and quality standards required in the country.

On the other hand, the Secretariat for Industry and Trade of the Ministry of Economy has been authorized to define alternative validation mechanisms. For products controlled by the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT), only technical accreditation mechanisms are regulated for the import and marketing of certain categories, such as: E.g. low-risk medical products, cosmetics, personal care products, perfumes, healthcare products and medical devices.
In vitro diagnostics that do not require a cold chain.

For these cases, it is necessary that the goods are authorized for consumption in at least one of the reference nations or have official certifications or tests that demonstrate compliance with technical regulations at the local level.

The resolution also concerns products under the control of the National Service for Health and Quality of Food (SENASA), such as: B. Plant protection products and veterinary products that may be marketed in Argentina, provided that, in addition to adapting to the general requirements, importers submit an affidavit ensuring that they do not pose a risk to human or animal health or to the Argentine territory.

Excluded from the provision include, among others, weapons, explosives and chemical substances, used or obsolete goods, products whose marketing is restricted in the country and products provided for by the Argentine Food Code, as well as medicines, fertilizers and goods covered by special regulations.

Products without industrial processing are also excluded, such as seeds, fruits, livestock, meat and other forestry and agricultural products, which are defined in the World Trade Organization (WTO) health agreements.

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The decree also stipulates that the General Directorate of Customs, which is dependent on the Customs Collection and Control Agency (ARCA) and the Ministry of Economy, will continue to monitor imports using the current customs risk analysis and selectivity systems, without adhering to other other verification methods.

These measures are also complemented by other measures taken by the government last year to deregulate foreign trade.
In fact, the National Agency for Customs Collection and Control (ARCA), which replaced the AFIP, annulled resolutions 701/99 and 799/2000, which established that the organizations representing each sector must have one
“veedor” at customs.

More flexible trading

These measures also complement other measures taken by the executive branch last year to deregulate foreign trade.
In return, at the end of 2024, the limit on foreign purchases for international shipments was raised from $1,000 to $3,000, a similar figure to other countries in the region.

Additionally, no taxes are paid on purchases for personal use up to the first $400 per shipment.

Likewise, the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA) has abolished almost all foreign exchange restrictions, allowing importers to cancel advances with their own dollars.

Within this framework, the COUNTRY TAX was completely abolished in December 2024. This provision is also important to reduce the cost of purchasing imported inputs and help reduce domestic prices.