Argentina
Farming, lithium and Vaca Muerta shale — and since 2025 almost without exchange controls
Argentina is Latin America's third-largest economy and one of the world's biggest exporters of soybean products, maize and beef; lithium mining and shale oil and gas from Vaca Muerta are growing. Since December 2023 the government has been dismantling the system of exchange and import controls: in April 2025 the central bank lifted most exchange controls (the “cepo”), and profits for years from 2025 can be paid to foreign owners. Since 1 May 2026 the EU–Mercosur agreement has also applied provisionally with Argentina. Rules change quickly here — every line carries the date it was checked.
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Setting up a company
Setting up a company and tax are the part of the profile you cannot assemble elsewhere in an afternoon. The rest of the page is open.
- ·Legal forms
- ·Foreign ownership
Taxes
Setting up a company and tax are the part of the profile you cannot assemble elsewhere in an afternoon. The rest of the page is open.
- ·Corporate income tax
- ·VAT
- ·Withholding tax — dividends
- ·Withholding tax — interest
- ·Withholding tax — royalties
- ·Payroll contributions
- ·Double taxation treaty
What it makes and needs
Soybean meal and oil, maize, wheat, beef, lithium, oil and gas from Vaca Muerta, wine.
Machinery and equipment, vehicles and parts, chemicals, medicines and electronics.
Money and payments
The peso (ARS). In April 2025 the central bank (BCRA) lifted most exchange controls and let the rate move more freely. Profits for financial years from 1 January 2025 can be paid to foreign owners through the official exchange market; older profits only with BCRA approval.
A 0.6 % tax is charged on bank account movements — on both credits and debits.
Importing into their market
Customs is run by ARCA (AFIP until 2024). In December 2023 the former import-licensing system SIRA was replaced by the statistical system SEDI.
The Mercosur common external tariff, 0 to 35 %. Since 1 May 2026 goods of EU origin get the reducing rates of the EU–Mercosur agreement.
Bringing their goods into the EU
The EU–Mercosur interim trade agreement has applied provisionally with Argentina since 1 May 2026; EU duties fall on a schedule and sensitive agricultural products are under quotas. Argentina is not a GSP beneficiary.
Beef only from EU-approved establishments. From 30 December 2026 soy, beef and wood fall under the EU deforestation regulation (small and micro firms from 30 June 2027).
Practical matters
Spanish.
Containers from Europe to the port of Buenos Aires (and Dock Sud); farm commodities leave mainly from the Paraná river terminals around Rosario.
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