Since January 15, a zero tariff has been in effect for imported cell phones, and they expect price drops of up to 30%
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Argentina's technology market is entering a new stage starting this Thursday, January 15. The national government is moving forward with the elimination of tariffs on cell phone imports, a measure that aims to lower prices and close the gap with prices abroad.
The decision is part of the trade liberalization process driven by Javier Milei to restore competitiveness to the domestic market and ease the burden on consumers.
Javier Milei junto a su ministro de economía.
What changes with the elimination of tariffs on cell phones
From now on, imported mobile phones will enter the country with a zero tariff. This eliminates the customs burden that for years made devices more expensive and limited access to state-of-the-art technology.
This step completes the schedule that began in May of last year, when tariffs dropped from 16% to 8%. With this second stage, the tax scheme is completely deactivated.
How much prices could drop in Argentina
According to estimates from the Ministry of Economy, the removal of tariffs could generate a drop of up to 30% in the final prices of cell phones. The impact will be greater on mid-range and high-end devices, which were the most affected by the tax burden.
Por la reducción del Impuesto País, los celulares se volverían mucho más baratos.
The government clarifies that the reduction won't be instantaneous. It will depend on stock renewal and on how each retail chain passes the benefit on to the consumer.
More competition and fewer distortions
The measure aims to correct a historical distortion: for years, buying a cell phone in Argentina was significantly more expensive than doing so in neighboring countries. This encouraged smuggling, purchases abroad, and the informal market.
Ya no se pagará roaming en los países del Mercosur.
With clearer rules and lower taxes, the Executive is betting that competition will do its job, forcing brands and retailers to adjust margins and improve prices. The focus is on benefiting the end user and modernizing access to technology.
