Argentina - Country Commercial Guide
Prohibited and Restricted Imports
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The Government of Argentina has prohibited importation of the following products:

  • Medical products containing nimesulide as an active ingredient (Disposition 4430/2009 ANMAT),
  • Incandescent light bulbs for residential use included under HS Code 8539.22.00, with the exception of those of power equal to or less than 25 watts, and those of voltage equal or less than 50 volts (Law 26473),
  • Certain used machinery, equipment, instruments, devices, and its parts (Resolution 909/1994 MEOSP and its modifications: Resolution 748/1995, Decree 690/2002, Appendix XIV; Resolution 89/2003 ME, article 7°, etc.),
  • Medicines and food containing olaquindox (Resolution 84/2007 SENASA),
  • Paints, lacquers, and varnishes containing more than 0.06 grams of lead for every 100 grams of non-volatile mass (Resolution 7/2009 MoH),
  • Used automobiles (Decree 110/1999),
  • Used motorcycles and velocipedes (Resolution 790/1992, Ministry of Economy),
  • Toys and childcare products containing high concentration of phthalates (Resolution 583/2008, Ministry of Health),
  • Used clothing and accessories (MERCOSUR Tariff Codes 6309.00.10 & 6309.00.90) (Decree 3373),
  • Telephone terminals that operate in a band between 1880 Mghz-1900 Mghz (Resolution SC 1994/1999),
  • Used and recapped tires (MERCOSUR Tariff Codes 4012.10.00 & 4012.20.00, Law 25,626),
  • Raw cotton, not carded or combed, harsh or rough, (Res. SENASA 208/2003),
  • All types of dangerous residues (Law 24051), and
  • Certain dangerous substances (Resolutions 750/2000, 845/2000, 182/1999, etc.).

Additionally, ANMAT (Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica), the regulatory equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the Ministry of Health, regulates and prohibits imports of certain toxic substances contained in products such as pharmaceutical products and cosmetics. Within ANMAT, the National Food Institute (INAL) regulates consumer-ready food products, health supplements, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, except for wine. SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria), Argentina’s Phytosanitary and Food Safety Agency, regulates animal and plant products and is responsible for the safety and quality of human food and animal feed. The National Wine Institute (INV) exerts control over wine and wine products during the production and marketing stages.

In 2018, Argentina lifted the ban for the importation of U.S. fresh and frozen beef and pork products, except for pork offal. The market for U.S. poultry products remains closed due to concerns primarily related to avian influenza. The U.S. Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) in Argentina is working with Argentina’s sanitary authorities to overcome this issue. For additional information on animal products, please contact the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service in Argentina at agbuenosaires@fas.usda.gov.

The Government of Argentina places restrictions on imports of many used products to facilitate market entry of new machines or equipment. This limitation applies to: used medical equipment, used vehicles, remanufactured parts, tires, boats, etc. In some specific cases, there are exceptions, such as mining machinery. For additional information, see the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s National Trade Fact Sheets.