The international pass La Quiaca (Jujuy Province)-Villazón (Bolivia) was enabled as of Friday, October 8, 2021, for the transit of citizens from both cities in the conurbation, as well as vehicular traffic between the Salta town of Los Toldos and the bordering country, within the framework of pilot tests to reactivate the link between border towns, following the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thus it was established in the Administrative Decision 969/2021, published in the Official Gazette, whose text establishes a protocol for local transit through the La Quiaca-Villazón international pass, as well as a health scheme for vehicular traffic to and from Los Toldos.
According to the recitals of the regulation, the province of Salta had requested in due time that "the particular situation of entry and exit of the inhabitants of the municipality of Los Toldos be addressed, who must enter the territory of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, for the sole purpose of re-entering the Province through the Bermejo/Aguas Blancas border crossing; for which purpose the protocol applicable to this purpose was drawn up."
Similarly, the province of Jujuy "has requested the authorization of border transit between the towns of La Quiaca and Villazón, territory of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, for which the protocol applicable to this purpose was drawn up."
Furthermore, the official text indicates that "from a health perspective, in the current framework of the response to Covid-19, and while the health emergency lasts, the conditions for the approval of the proposed health protocols, which were developed with the participation of the corresponding areas, are met.
Progressive opening of borders
This measure of the national Government adds to the progressive opening of borders that, by Administrative Decision 951/2021, has established four safe corridors for tourism purposes, two of which include International Crossings and Border Centers “Iguazú – Foz de Iguaçu”, which links the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguaçu with the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú, in the province of Misiones (northeast) and the “Cristo Redentor System” which links Chile with the province of Mendoza (west) through the Andes mountain range.
Under this framework, as of October 1, entry was ordered for all nationals or residents of neighboring countries who have stayed in the national territory in the fourteen days prior to entering, with due compliance with health requirements.
Customs regime
Border crossings have a special customs regime for residents of neighboring countries residing in areas immediately adjacent to the border. may transport outside the national territory the merchandise acquired for personal and/or household use, as well as for family consumption. The exit of these merchandise will be carried out through the places authorized for the transit of people and merchandise and will be governed by the rules of Articles 578 to 580 of the Customs Code, Decree 2292/76, its regulations and complementary rules.
The General Directorate of Customs is responsible for the application and control of the Border Traffic Regime. However, in those places authorized for this purpose where there are no dependencies of said department, the application and control of the regime is the responsibility of the National Gendarmerie or the Argentine Naval Prefecture, as the case may be.
International cargo
Regarding international cargo transportation, it is suggested to check in advance which border crossings are duly authorized for crossing at the email address: [email protected] or on the official website https://www.argentina.gob.ar/seguridad/pasosinternacionales
With information from Télam and Aduana News
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.
