International Purchases in Dollars: A Guide to Using the Door-to-Door System Without Surprises

Buying products from international stores has become easier following the recent changes implemented by the Revenue and Customs Control Agency (ARCA). The regulations have increased the allowed amounts and established similar conditions for packages managed by the official mail and those entering through couriers.

General Resolution 5884/2026 and Decree 604/2026 also modified the available exemptions and some customs controls. However, before placing an order on platforms like Amazon, Shein, or Temu, it is advisable to know the current limits, have your tax data configured, and calculate all associated costs.

One of the main changes is in the allowed value for operations. Packages intended for personal use can reach a maximum of u$s3,000, provided they comply with the conditions set by the regime. Additionally, the first five shipments of the year have an exemption of up to u$s400 each. Within that amount, no import duties are paid, although VAT and postal management fees may apply.

If an operation exceeds u$s400 but remains below the maximum of u$s3,000, the benefit does not necessarily disappear completely. The corresponding taxes will apply to the excess of the exemption. Among the main conditions are:

• Up to u$s3,000 per shipment
• A maximum of three units of the same product
• Goods intended for personal use and not for commercial purposes
• Up to five annual exemptions of u$s400 per person
• A maximum weight of 20 kilos per package within this postal modality

The update also simplified certain controls for personal use products. According to the new scheme, some shipments of up to u$s3,000 no longer require prior authorizations from health or safety agencies that previously could intervene in products like cosmetics or perfumes.

It is also important to have the Electronic Tax Address (DFE) active. This is the digital mailbox that ARCA uses to send communications regarding procedures and potential customs issues. It can be configured from the agency's portal with CUIT or CUIL and tax key. Having it enabled is essential to receive any notices related to the goods before completing the entry into the country.

The procedure may vary depending on the chosen store. Some large platforms already transmit certain data and calculate charges during the operation, but there are also cases where the buyer must complete the procedure through Correo Argentino. The general process is as follows:

• Place the order: choose the products and make the payment through one of the methods enabled by the store
• Keep the documentation: retain the invoice, confirmation, or receipt showing the amount paid
• Obtain the tracking code: wait for the seller to provide the international package number
• Make the Purchase Notice: register that code in the International Shipments Portal of Correo Argentino
• Complete the declaration: when the notification arrives, review or enter the corresponding information about the goods
• Pay the charges: digitally pay the applicable taxes and postal management fee
• Wait for delivery: once released by Customs, the order continues to the indicated address.

When the platform has already transmitted the necessary information, the user can simply validate the previously entered data. If this has not happened, they will have to complete the Simplified Declaration of Postal Shipments and detail the content and value of the operation. Customs may request additional documentation if it needs to verify the declared amount, so it is important to keep the original receipt from the store. Once delivery is authorized, Correo Argentino will take the package to the address. If the recipient is not found, a second attempt may be made, and subsequently, the shipment will be held for five business days at the corresponding branch for pickup. It is also useful to keep a record of how many exemptions were used during the year, as once the five available are exhausted, subsequent orders will no longer benefit from that exemption.

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