On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) School of Law will pay a well-deserved tribute to Dr. Juan José Alberto Sortheix, one of the most prominent figures in the field of customs and tax law, both nationally and internationally. This event will take place from 18:00 p.m. to 20:30 p.m. (Argentina) in a hybrid format: in person in Classroom 1 (Extension) of the School of Law and with a live broadcast on YouTube.
(Generated by AI)
The occasion coincides with the birthday of Dr. Sortheix, who was born in March 1930 in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. A graduate of the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, Dr. Sortheix was a distinguished lawyer and jurist who left an indelible mark on the field of customs and tax law. His career not only shaped the development of legislation in Argentina but was also instrumental in the creation of international regulations that transformed global trade.
A polyglot with a passion for learning various languages, he was fluent in Spanish, English, and French, and had a working knowledge of Italian and Portuguese. In addition to his distinguished professional career, he was a family man, married with two children, whose legacy extends beyond his legal work.
His impact is particularly notable internationally, where he stood out for his leadership of the Customs Cooperation Council (now the World Customs Organization). He was instrumental in the creation of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, a tariff nomenclature adopted by almost all countries on the planet and which remains a milestone in international trade.
Dr. Sortheix also played a decisive role in the modernization of the Argentine tax system during the 1970s, actively participating in the creation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the transformation of the Income Tax into the current Income Tax. He also represented Argentina in key negotiations regarding double taxation agreements, thus expanding his influence globally.
This tribute aims to recognize the tireless work of Dr. Sortheix, whose legacy lives on in today's customs and tax structures. His contribution to the development of international trade and tax legislation is an example of commitment and professional excellence.
The UBA School of Law invites the academic and professional community to join this tribute, which will remember and celebrate the birth of an Argentine jurist whose vision and work have left an indelible mark on international trade and global customs law.
Event schedule:
Opening
Dr. Harry Schurig (Coordinator of the Customs Law Commission)
Exhibitors:
Dr. Enrique Jiménez Ramírez (International Tariff Classification Specialist. Former Director of Non-Tariff Regulations and Restrictions at the Mexican Ministry of Economy) – Streaming from Mexico
Dr. Ricardo Xavier Basaldúa (Co-editor of the Argentine Customs Code and Professor at the UBA)
Dr. Máximo Carvajal Contreras (Customs Law Specialist. Former Administrator of Mexico) – Streaming from Mexico
Dr. Héctor Juárez Allede (Member of the National Tax Court)
Dr. Horacio Vicente (Delegate of the Customs Valuation Committee in Geneva and the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation in Brussels)
Closing:
Dr. Lorena Bartomioli (Vice President of the Latin American Customs Law Association – ALDA)
Moderation:
Dr. Raquel Segalla Reis (Master of Laws and Professor of Customs Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais) – Streaming from Brazil
This event is sponsored by the Master's Program in Tax and Financial Law of the UBA Law School and the Tax Criminal Law Observatory of the UBA Law School. You still have time to register. You can do so. here
In addition, we present an audio recording, developed with artificial intelligence technology, that delves into the valuable contributions of Dr. Juan Sortheix. It explores his role as an architect of global trade, his role in the creation of the Harmonized System, his contribution to the invention of special customs areas, and his influence as a precursor to the Argentine Customs Code. We invite you to enjoy this exclusive experience before the event.
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.
