With the goal of lowering prices for consumers and increasing competition, the National Government reduced import tariffs from 35% to 20% on 14 categories of toys, including tricycles, scooters, dolls, action figures, puzzles, and toy cars.
The measure, made official through Decree 781/2025, seeks to align the tax burden with MERCOSUR levels and eliminate distortions that for more than a decade have driven up local prices.
End of a protectionist policy that allowed "hunting in the zoo"
Thirteen years ago, tariffs had been increased above the regional cap of 20% for purely revenue-raising and "industrial protection" purposes. That decision reduced imports, discouraged competition, and ultimately harmed Argentine families, who now pay for the most expensive toys in Latin America.
In some cases, the differences are striking. The same transformable action figure costs $60,000 in Argentina, while in Colombia it costs $40,000, in Chile and Brazil $20,000, and in Mexico $15,000.
Similar situations occur with building blocks and collectible dolls, whose prices in the country are up to 75% higher than in other markets in the region.
Impact on prices and consumption
