The Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP) modified the procedure for Customs Declaration in the Baggage Regime and the forms to be used, through Resolution 4361/2018 published this Monday (17.12.2018).
The measure is established in order to facilitate management processes by improving the quality of service and control of passengers, in line with current technological progress and globalization and digitalization practices where individuals interact directly with the different computer systems authorized by the customs service, states the text in the Official Gazette.
Harmonization of criteria in Mercosur
AFIP modifies previous similar regulations regarding the Baggage Regime in the area referred to the Mercosur block, harmonizes criteria with the members of said block and for travelers entering or leaving between Mercosur member countries.
It is recalled that the amounts to be entered and departed in the same area have already been updated by Resolution No. 4331/2018, in reference to travelers by sea, air and land. The excess of said allowance will be taxed with a 50% tax. As for “land border” it is also considered in the cases of river routes or through bridges.
Declaration via digital media
The new resolution determines more flexible ways for travelers when making their declarations, being able to do so through digital means at self-service terminals and in mobile applications, to speed up and improve the service to travellers. This is without prejudice to making said declaration in the usual paper format on the respective forms for this purpose, if it had been impossible for the declarant to do so digitally.
Exempt from taxes
The regulations mention Accompanied and Unaccompanied baggage, determining that they are exempt from taxes., clothing and personal items carried by the traveler; that is, accompanied baggage. The rule also recalls that no one can declare what does not belong to them or do so on behalf of others, except in the case of residents who have died, with proof of such circumstance.
SENASA intervention
SENASA's intervention will be relevant for the entry of fruits, plants, flowers, vegetables, seeds, animals, dairy and bee products, biological products, veterinary products and food.
In the case of accompanied baggage that remains in storage, the holder of the baggage has a period of 15 days to declare it, under penalty of it being put up for sale by the customs service. In the case of unaccompanied baggage, the period is 90 days.
ezeiza
The digital declaration modality will begin first at the Ezeiza Customs and then it will be progressively extended to other Customs offices.
The measure will come into effect from Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
