New Purchasing Regime for Imports by ARCA: Limits, Eligible Products, and Key Points

The Revenue and Customs Control Agency (ARCA) has modified the regime for purchases abroad. The measure was established through General Resolution 5884/2026, published in the Official Gazette, and updates the conditions for importing products purchased outside the country via postal operators and courier services.

The agency replaced the previous regulation 4447/2019 and added new criteria for importing items intended for personal use or consumption: it sets a limit of up to $3,000 FOB per shipment, allows up to three units of the same kind, and establishes new digital validation mechanisms to expedite procedures.

Limits for Small Shipments

ARCA has established that packages with a FOB value not exceeding $3,000 per shipment may enter, provided the products are for the buyer's use and not intended for sale.

In addition to the economic limit, the regulation sets other conditions:

• The package cannot exceed 50 kilograms in weight.
• It may include up to three units of the same kind.
• The operation must be personal and not commercial.
• Each person may use this regime up to five times per calendar year.

When a shipment exceeds the allowed limits, the recipient will have a period of 15 calendar days to choose between two alternatives: proceed with the importation under the general regime (with the corresponding declaration and payment of the applicable taxes) or request the return of the package to the country of origin.

Door-to-Door Modality

The new regime maintains and expands the possibility of receiving certain products directly at the buyer’s home through the door-to-door system.

International shipments that meet the established requirements may be delivered without in-person procedures before customs authorities, as long as they pass the necessary controls.

The regulation applies to purchases made through international e-commerce platforms as well as other postal shipments from abroad.

Prior Digital Validation

One of the most important changes is the incorporation of digital mechanisms to validate package information.

When the purchase is made through an international e-commerce platform, the postal operator must submit a declaration to ARCA before the goods arrive.

This information will include the data required by international organizations such as the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), in addition to the recipient's personal data, such as CUIT, CUIL, or CDI.

If validation was not performed during the purchase process, the user will have a period of 24 hours to review, correct, or complete the data before the postal operator can proceed.

What Products Can Enter Under the New Regime

The system is primarily designed for goods intended for personal use or consumption, as long as they comply with the established limits.

The regulation also considers specific situations for certain types of goods, such as medicines, commercial samples, scientific supplies, and works of art, although each category has particular requirements.

In the case of medicinal specialties intended for personal or family use, entry may occur when authorized by the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT).

For legal entities importing samples for exhibition, demonstration, or commercial promotion purposes, provided they are not intended for direct sale, products may enter with a general limit of up to 50 kg and a FOB value of up to $3,000. When the FOB does not exceed $100, they may access special treatment.

In the case of samples of plant or animal origin, export is allowed under certain conditions, with a limit of up to 10 kg and $500 FOB, in addition to the corresponding intervention of the National Service of Health and Quality of Agro-Food (SENASA).

The resolution also establishes specific rules for items intended for laboratory testing related to certifications.

In these cases, the limit remains at 50 kg and $3,000 FOB. However, if the procedures are linked to products that will be exported, the allowed value may increase to $10,000 FOB.

The regime includes special conditions for the entry of supplies intended for scientific and technological research. Beneficiaries of Law 25.613 may use the simplified system as long as they present certain documentation.

For these operations, the code must be declared, and the import certificate issued by the Registry of Scientific and Technological Organizations and Entities (ROECYT) must be provided when applicable.

Works of art will be exempt from value restrictions. The regime covers import, export, and temporary destination operations, provided the required documentation is submitted, including the sworn declaration.