Uruguay Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in uruguay, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Security Equipment
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Overview

Uruguay Exports and Imports of Safety and Security Equipment, USD Millions

Year

2022 

2023 

2024 

Total Exports to World

 17

 18

 18

Total Imports from World

 299

 351

 348

Imports from the US 

 30

 29

 26

Trade Surplus/Deficit 

+28

+25

+20

Exchange Rates 

 41.43

 39.13

 41.38

Source: SP CONNECT- Global Trade Analytics Suite – USD million
HTSUS: 8543- 8537-8471-4911-8521-8504-8531-8541-8536-8507
Exchange rate: (Simple average [(Value at January 1+Value at December 31)/2]
Source: BEVSA


Between 2022 and 2023, Uruguay’s exports of safety and security equipment grew by 5.9% and then stayed the same in 2024. Imports rose sharply by 17.4% in 2023 but dropped slightly by 0.85% in 2024. Imports from the United States fell by 3.3% in 2023 and by 10.3% in 2024. During this time, the U.S. trade surplus with Uruguay shrank by 10.7% in 2023 and by 20% in 2024.

In 2024, the United States ranked as the third largest supplier of safety and security equipment to Uruguay, with 7.3 percent of the total, following China with 54.1 percent and Brazil with 7.5 percent. The main products imported from the United States were automatic data processing units (45.9 percent of the total) and electrical apparatus for switching and protecting electrical circuits and for making connections to and within electrical circuits (19 percent of the total).

The security equipment sector is growing, with both individuals and companies purchasing security system technology. Companies are replacing in-person security systems with advanced, more efficient technology in their facilities. U.S. products compete directly with lower-priced products from China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, India and Spain, among others. Traditionally, U.S. goods have competed successfully in Uruguay due to relative high quality, lower maintenance costs, and longer life cycle.
  
Uruguay’s strategic location as a key transfer hub for goods heading to Europe has contributed to an increase in international drug trafficking within the country. Addressing these challenges has become a national priority for both the Uruguayan government and electorate, prompting a prioritization of enhanced security measures. These dynamics underscore the need for sophisticated security systems – a key opportunity for U.S. exporters.

Imported electronic components play a very important role in the sector. Local security importers continue to import high-tech components used in the production of alarms, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and other related security systems. 

Leading Sub-Sectors

Major construction projects are underway in Montevideo and Punta del Este (Uruguay’s principal seaside resort city) in which electronic security products will play a very important role. According to Uruguay’s Chamber of Electronic Security Systems, the electronic security business will continue growing especially in commercial and industrial facilities. The National Police of Uruguay has been actively investing in technological solutions to enhance surveillance capabilities and enable smarter, more efficient response systems. There are ongoing opportunities for public procurement of drones and advanced IT solutions aimed at strengthening emergency response services.

Opportunities

Uruguay’s electronic safety and security market relies heavily on imported products and services. In order to import security equipment and technology, local companies typically form joint ventures with international firms or become authorized dealers. Uruguay’s National Customs Directorate is the official institution that regulates the importation of all safety and security items, and local importers must report all imports to the National Customs Directorate. 
 
The following products are considered best prospects if priced competitively with competing products:

The following products are considered best prospects:

  • Access Control Systems: smart cards, biometrics, controllers, local area network devices, readers, digital processors.
  • Intrusion Alarms: indicator panels, signaling devices, keypad LEDs, batteries, sirens, and magnetic contacts.
  • CCTV: cameras, domes, monitors, transmission devices, television transmission apparatus, TV receivers, multiplexers, and CCTV systems.
  • Aerial security monitoring with drones.

Resources

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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