🇧🇷 Brazil → 🇦🇷 Argentina
MERCOSUR
Compliance path
Brazil-Argentina is the core Mercosur lane (Brazil 86% / Argentina 14% of Mercosur GDP). Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC) applies to extra-Mercosur trade; intra-Mercosur trade is duty-free with Form MERCOSUR/CMC certificate of origin. Argentine 21% IVA at import. Major lanes: automobiles and auto parts (substantial cross-border integration), agricultural machinery, food. Ocean São Paulo (Santos)-Buenos Aires 3-5 days; air 3-4 hours. Customs delays at the Foz do Iguaçu / Puerto Iguazú land border are common.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from Brazil to Argentina?
Travellers entering Argentina from Brazil are subject to Argentina's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 2 L
- Cigarette allowance: 400
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 500
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 10000
2. Can I post goods from Brazil to Argentina?
Parcels move through Argentina's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 4 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Correo Argentino and OCA (Organización Coordinadora Argentina) handle international mail clearance under AFIP-Aduana supervision at the Retiro Postal Terminal and Ezeiza Air Cargo Terminal. The courier-service simplified taxation (Régimen de Courier) applies in lieu of formal entry for parcels up to USD 3,000 per shipment per person per year, with a USD 50,000 per-year personal cap. Personal-use parcels under USD 50 within the annual three-shipment franchise (the USD 50 each, three times per year exemption) clear duty-free. Above the franchise: 50% flat duty / VAT. Imports of certain HS codes (electronics, luxury goods, used clothing) require SIRA (Sistema Integral de Monitoreo de Importaciones) authorisation.
3. Can I import commercially from Brazil to Argentina?
Yes. Commercial importers into Argentina need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
Originating goods qualify for MERCOSUR preferential duty — often 0% — provided rules-of-origin criteria are met. Argentina levies 21% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: USD 50.
Courier imports up to USD 50 enter duty-free; above that the 50% simplified courier tax (Resolución General 3915) applies up to USD 3,000 per shipment.
5. FTA + rules of origin
MERCOSUR is in force on this lane. To claim preferential duty, the goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin (typically a regional value content threshold or a tariff-shift test) and the importer must hold a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration.
See: All FTAs
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Certificate of Origin or origin declaration to claim MERCOSUR preference.
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Argentina.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into Argentina:
- Firearms and ammunition (ANMAC / RENAR registration; import permit)
- Pharmaceuticals (ANMAT registration; personal prescription exception)
- Agricultural produce (SENASA phytosanitary inspection)
- Cultural heritage objects (Comisión Nacional de Museos export permit — also applies on departure)
- Electronics over USD 2,000 (simplified courier tax ceiling)
9. Official sources
- Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP) — destination customs authority.
- Receita Federal do Brasil — RFB (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) — origin customs authority.
- Argentina country profile — full source panel and rule index.
- FTA registry — search for MERCOSUR.
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from Brazil to Argentina as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from Brazil entering Argentina are subject to Argentina's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 2 L. Cigarette allowance: 400. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 500. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from Brazil to Argentina?
Yes — parcels move through Argentina's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 4 days. De minimis: USD 50. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from Brazil to Argentina?
Yes. Commercial imports into Argentina require an importer of record, customs declaration via Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. MERCOSUR preferential duty is available if origin requirements are met.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Originating goods qualify for MERCOSUR preferential rates (often 0%). Argentina levies 21% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below USD 50.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — to claim MERCOSUR preferential duty, the consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration meeting the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria. Without it, MFN duty applies.
What is Argentina's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Argentina must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.