Country：阿根廷 · Trade, Supply Chain & Exit
Argentina · Trade, Supply Chain & Exit
Argentine imports and exports are subject to dual customs and foreign-exchange controls: import payments and export collections must coordinate tax and Central Bank of Argentina (BCRA) foreign-exchange management (relaxed but not free since April 2025). Exports are dominated by agricultural products, oil and gas, and minerals; imports are mostly capital goods and intermediate inputs. Exit is possible via share transfer or liquidation; liquidation requires settling debts and completing tax and customs clearance.
Key points
- Imports/exports are subject to dual customs and foreign-exchange management (relaxed but not free since April 2025).
- Export mainstays: agricultural products, oil and gas (Vaca Muerta), lithium; imports: capital goods and intermediate inputs.
- RIGI companies enjoy customs stability and VAT credit certificate mechanisms.
- Exit routes: share transfer (common) or liquidation.
- Liquidation requires settling creditors, completing tax and customs procedures, and deregistration.
- China home-country legal anchors (pkulaw verified 2026-07): overseas trade must comply with China's Foreign Trade Law (2025 revision, Presidential Order No. 67, effective 2025-12-27) — import/export business rights use a filing/recordal system; dual-use items and technology exports are subject to control lists and the unreliable entity list; trade with specific countries and regions must also satisfy China's export control and sanctions compliance.
Procedure
- Import/export declarations (AFIP customs system).
- Coordinate foreign exchange (import payments and export collections).
- Exit via equity sale or liquidation.
- Liquidation: settle debts → tax and customs clearance → deregistration.
Hard requirements
- CUIT; customs registration; foreign-exchange compliance.
Costs
Customs duty and statistical fees; logistics and clearance fees.⏱ ⏱ Timeline：Customs clearance takes days; liquidation takes months.⚠ Common risks
- Foreign-exchange rule changes affect import/export payments and collections.
- High inflation disrupts costs and pricing.
- Unsettled tax and customs prevent deregistration at exit.
Handbook
📘 Step-by-Step Handbook (with owner / timeline / cost / penalties)
Applies to：Chinese companies conducting agricultural, oil and gas, and mineral imports/exports in Argentina under dual customs and foreign-exchange management, including share-transfer or liquidation exits.
Prerequisites
- Chinese parent completed MOFCOM import/export business rights filing (see legal_review anchor).
- CUIT tax number and customs registration obtained in Argentina.
- BCRA foreign-exchange management and RIGI stability clauses assessed.
| Step | Action | Owner | Timeline | Cost | Official form / system | Notes & penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China-side filing and compliance screening. The parent completes MOFCOM filing; screen exported equipment/technology for dual-use items. | Trade compliance | Filing 1–2 weeks | Government fees per official published rates | MOFCOM filing system | Materials exports must meet compliance requirements. Penalty：Illegal exports are penalized by the home country. |
| 2 | CUIT and customs registration (AFIP). Obtain CUIT from AFIP and complete customs registration, filing declarations through the customs system. | Customs agent | Days to weeks | Customs duty and statistical fees | AFIP customs registration/declaration system | Import payments/export collections are subject to foreign-exchange management. Penalty：No registration, no customs declaration. |
| 3 | Foreign-exchange coordination (payments/collections). Coordinate BCRA foreign-exchange rules for import payments and export collections (relaxed but not free since April 2025). | Finance/bank | Ongoing | FX costs | BCRA foreign-exchange declaration | Rules change frequently. Penalty：FX violations block funds. |
| 4 | Customs compliance and valuation. Classify HS codes, value, and pay duties; watch costs and pricing under high inflation. | Customs agent | Per shipment | Customs duty/statistical fees | Customs declaration | RIGI companies enjoy customs stability. Penalty：Classification errors incur additional tax. |
| 5 | Supply chain and RIGI layout. For major investments, use the RIGI customs stability and VAT credit certificate mechanisms, coordinating the agri-mineral supply chain. | Supply chain/finance | Ongoing | Operations and compliance costs | RIGI registration | Lock in stable customs treatment. Penalty：Without RIGI, exposed to rule changes. |
| 6 | Exit: share transfer/liquidation. Prefer a share transfer; liquidation requires settling debts, completing tax and customs clearance, and deregistration. | Directors/liquidation committee | Months | Liquidation/legal fees | Tax/customs clearance and deregistration | Unsettled tax and customs prevent deregistration. Penalty：Unsettled obligations make responsible persons liable. |
✅ Self-check list
⚠ Common pitfalls
Foreign-exchange rule changes影响：Payments/collections blocked规避：Track BCRA dynamically and hedge.
High inflation disrupting costs影响：Pricing losses规避：Indexed contracts and hedging.
Unsettled tax/customs影响：Cannot deregister规避：Settle all amounts before liquidation.
RIGI not registered影响：Loses stability benefits规避：Register for RIGI promptly for major investments.
Ignoring home-country export controls影响：Home-country penalties规避：Screen dual-use items before exporting.
📅 Ongoing post-incorporation obligations
- Continue customs declarations and foreign-exchange compliance
- Annual tax and RIGI reports (where applicable)
- Deregistration filings and record retention after exit
🔗 Official portals
📎 Source：Argentina Customs; AFIP import/export taxes; RIGI customs stability clauses; https://www.mofcom.gov.cn; https://www.customs.gov.cn
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