One year after the government took office: What has changed and what's next for foreign trade?

The gambling industry, constrained for years by obstacles such as Advance Import Tax Declarations (DJAI in its original Spanish), import substitution or discretionary agreements with business chambers, is now looking forward to the promises of a truly ‘free’ market. With barely a quarter of its mandate completed, the government is aiming to accelerate deregulation policies ahead of a legislative election year in which the results of its policies could become its best campaign slogan.

During the course of 2024, the government reduced the terms of access to the MULC for imports of luxury goods from 360 to 120, 90, 60 and finally 30 days from the officialisation of the operations. At the same time, the decision to roll back the PAIS tax rate on freight and transport from 17.5% to 7.5% was reinforced by the elimination of the payment on account of the tax just a fortnight ago.

What other measures favoured the gaming industry in 2024?

- Abrogation of customs tax stamps for entered goods such as playing cards, slot machines, etc. (7/10)

- Abrogation of the participation of sectoral activities in the physical verification of goods assigned ‘red channel’ (10/21)

- Flexibilisation of access to the MULC for payment of freight, in exports where it is included in the condition of sale (31/10)

- Flexibilisation of access to the MULC for payments of imports of goods for payments on demand and/or deferred by means of exchange/arbitrage or simultaneous settlement of financing, in foreign currency in (or granted by) local banks (21/11).

Looking ahead to 2025, major changes are anticipated in Foreign Trade. Although some of the most notorious measures do not only concern Industry, the marked trend towards deregulation encourages the first predictions of a year marked by trade surplus and economic freedom. The restructuring of the AFIP (now ‘ARCA’), the continued relaxation of the Courier regime and the negotiations for the ‘Mini RIGI’ for SMEs are initially positive steps that give us a glimpse of the path on which the government will continue next year. As the icing on the cake, the long-awaited elimination of the ‘cepo’ is imminent. For the time being, former minister Cavallo assured that eliminating it in the first months of 2025 in order to reach October with a reactivated economy would be the best option.

In this current scenario, what documentation is needed to import?

- Import Statistical System (SEDI);

- Application for destination known as ‘despacho de importación’;

- Transport document (bill of lading, waybill, air waybill);

- Original commercial invoice (electronic, if applicable);

- Customs Value Declaration;

- Certificate of origin (if applicable);

- Third party agency interventions (if applicable)

As a conclusion, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of profound transformation for the country's foreign trade. The consolidation of these deregulatory policies aims to see its first results before October, just in time for the election period. As far as this area is concerned, the September-November quarter of this year saw more foreign trade regulations published than in the rest of the year. Therefore, we can deduce that, although significant progress has already been made in this area, the government may be saving more than one surprise for the next legislative year.

For more information on requirements and procedures specific to your industry, contact tgalarza@asapamericas.com or via www.asapamericas.com