Getting your product into market
In general, Argentina does not have any import barriers outside import duties. However, a number of imports are prohibited, including some animals.
Most imports face a tariff of between 10 and 20 percent.
All imports can enter the market in the packaging of their country and in the language of origin. But all consumer goods need an additional label or sticker in Spanish that includes information on the importer, the name or description of the product, the name of country of origin and the weight of the contents.
Labelling regulations vary slightly for some products such as food. Many food-related imports also require sanitary certificates issued by New Zealand authorities.
Taxation
All imports face advance payments on income tax and, at customs clearance, on value added tax (VAT). The VAT tax rate is (depending on the product) 10.5 or 21 percent of cost and freight.
Argentina does not have a double taxation agreement with New Zealand.
Taxes are levied on three levels: national, provincial and municipal. Provincial taxes include turnover, stamp and property taxes.
Income or gains (other than dividends from an Argentine source) earned by a non-resident individual, or a foreign legal entity without a permanent presence in Argentina, are subject to withholding tax. The effective rates of withholding tax vary from 3.3 percent to more than 30 percent depending on the source of income or the nature of the transaction.
Logistics
Aerolineas Argentinas provides direct Auckland-Buenos Aires air services several times a week. A Qantas/Lan Chile code share service departing several times per week between Santiago and Auckland provides a further option for travelers.
Goods can be shipped from New Zealand to Buenos Aires by Mitsui Lines.
Opportunities
- Rising dairy and meat production is forecast to increase demand for food processing equipment, particularly for dairy and meat.
- There are good opportunities for New Zealand agricultural technology exports in the long-term, mainly in pasture-based beef and dairy farming.
- In the information and communications technology sector, rural communications is an important segment with a lot of potential for a number of New Zealand exporters.
- In building products, the largest and most dynamic import items are high quality tiles and finishes, high quality doors and windows, bathroom and kitchen equipment and accessories, high quality wool-based products, saunas, spa pools and insulation material.
- New Zealand is a fairly new and unknown destination for Argentines studying abroad. New Zealand has competitive advantages over other destinations including low fees and high education standards.
Cultural and business tips
- New Zealanders do not need a business or tourist visa to enter Argentina.
- Thanks to years of hyper-inflation business strategies are often dominated by short-term considerations.
- Spanish is the national language. Middle managers and engineers in large companies generally speak English. However, English speaking is less common in medium and small companies.
- In Argentine business culture, relationships and ‘insider’ status are much more important than in the English speaking world.
