Electronic Payment of Custom Duties

In 1998, the Tax Authority (Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - “AFIP”) established a new optional regime for the payment of tax liabilities by electronic transfer. Presently, an electronic payment for tax and social securities obligations is available[1].

AFIP has decided that, due to technological progress and its commitment to facilitate tax payment compliance procedures for all taxpayers, the use of electronic transfers should be widened to cover the payment of custom duties.

This new manner of payment simplifies the process for agents involved in foreign trade transactions. Currently, such payments are made through a digital program called “MARIA”, through a prior deposit made in the Banco de la Nación Argentina (the National Bank, “BNA”)[2].

For this purpose, AFIP issued General Resolution No 2161 (the “Resolution”), published in the Official Gazette on November 24, 2006, which establishes the procedures for the settlement of import and export custom duties.

This new procedure requires agents to have a bank account in Argentine Pesos, from which the abovementioned payments shall be deducted. The new procedure will require access to AFIP’s website: http://www.afip.gov.ar – “Gestión de Importadores/Exportadores” or “Gestión de Despachantes”, depending on the case[3].

The amounts to be paid will be converted into Argentine Pesos at BNA’s exchange rates in force on the business day prior to that on which the Electronic Payment Receipt (Volante Electrónico de Pago - “VEP”) was issued[4].

This system will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and the VEP will be valid only during the day of issue.

AFIP will introduce this system gradually, starting with the settlement of custom duties related to export transactions concerning “LAEX” which have not expired[5].

Although this system is currently optional, AFIP will gradually make it mandatory. The relevant schedule will be posted at AFIP’s website.