During a meeting held on April 17, 2024 at the headquarters of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM), in the City of Buenos Aires, private sector specialists exchanged knowledge and experiences on the current customs, exchange and logistics developments and, in particular, on the opportunities and challenges they present for the mining sector in the country.
The activity, carried out in a hybrid manner, was attended by more than 50 people virtually (through the Zoom platform). The Executive Director of CAEM, Alejandra Cardona, was in charge of opening the day.
After the opening remarks, the floor was opened for intervention by Mariela B. Fioramonti, Customs broker and advisor to the Chamber of Importers of the Argentine Republic, who spoke about the dynamics of commercial operations.
“We are coming from complicated years for imports, but some changes are being seen regarding commercial operations with government measures, particularly DNU 70, which targeted the CA and the way of operating,” said the professional. She referred to the modifications of the SIRA to the SEDI, the elimination of automatic and non-automatic licenses, as well as the elimination of the systemic mechanism that allows calculating the Economic Financial Capacity (CEF) index of taxpayers. Likewise, she referred to the release of merchandise subject to complaint, through General Instruction No. 4/2024 (DGA), and the elimination of the red channel for measures that had antidumping or compensatory rights or were under study for that matter. “Really, the measures improve the operational capacity and the speed of customs clearance and processes, especially for companies that need inputs,” said Fioramonti. He also outlined the flexibility of payments abroad through Communication A 7990, which “improves predictability in terms of compliance.” In particular, he highlighted Bahía Blanca, a port with “significant logistical advantages” for the industry.
For its part, Guido Hernan Krolovetzky and Agustin Coronel de la Torre -from the Beccar Varela Studio- They announced the main customs changes of DNU 70. Krolovetzky referred to the first and most controversial of them: “Any person and/or legal entity can document their own import clearances, shipping permits, etc., without having to hire a customs broker”; on the subject, the lawyer explained that the decree seeks to “avoid bureaucracy”, but “it forgets that the customs broker provides a service to whoever hires him as well as to the whole society”. Other measures discussed were the creation of the profile system, as well as the Anticipated Resolutions. Agustín Coronel de Torre completed the presentation with the situation of the constitutional control of DNU 70 in the National Congress and the importance of guaranteeing legal security for foreign trade operations, to generate investments and to improve the country's economy. Finally, he focused on two customs regimes of interest to international trade operators, namely: the temporary importation of capital goods and the importation under the Mining Investment Law (Law No. 24.196).
After that, Nahuel Julio, BBVA specialist, The Ministry of Finance intervened to update the regulations related to the exchange market and foreign trade. In this way, it provided figures on the participation of mining activity in export flows, with a significant impact in the Argentine context. “In 2023, 8% of Argentine export flows corresponded to mining activity. In addition, from 2022 to 2023 there was a 5% increase in exports, but not in imports. For every 100 dollars imported, 25 are exported,” he said. He also described the different regulations for making payments for such commercial operations.
Later, he continued Enrique Montagna of Cargoes of the Silver, He gave an overview of the logistics situation in Argentina. He stressed that the country does not have a deepwater port; in this sense, the Port of La Plata has a draft of 28 feet. Today it allows ships with a greater draft to enter, however - he clarified - in global logistics for a port to start operating there must be positioning of containers, for which there must be consumption. He also reflected on the tax advantages of the free zone, and referred to financing (advance payments) and supply.
In summary, the CAEM meeting highlighted the importance of respect for the law, the free availability of foreign currency and free access to imports for productive purposes, among other issues.
Argentina has a long tradition in the mining sector, with production of gold, silver, lead, aluminum and copper standing out. The growing global demand for lithium, among other products, has given the country a new role.
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.
