Imports made under the door-to-door regime reached a historical high and consolidated their weight within Argentine consumption. In June, goods worth US$125 million entered through courier services, a year-on-year increase of 73.8%, while in the first half of the year, the total reached US$643 million, more than double that of the same period in 2025.
The growth of these operations occurred amid the flexibilization driven by the Government of Javier Milei, which simplified procedures and expanded direct purchasing options abroad. According to a report by the consulting firm Analytica, the combination of a stable dollar, the recovery of salaries measured in U.S. dollars, and regulatory changes explain much of the phenomenon.
Milei simplified purchases from abroad and facilitated exports
Last week, the Executive equalized the operational conditions of the Argentine Postal Service with those of private couriers and raised the tax-free allowance per shipment from US$50 to US$400, with a maximum of five operations per year. Additionally, the limit of US$3,000 for individual purchases paying the corresponding fees was maintained.
The impact is already clearly observed in various sectors. Purchases via courier currently account for nearly 40% of sales of clothing, sports items, electronics, furniture, decoration, and toys recorded in over 70 shopping centers surveyed by INDEC. In 2024, that proportion was less than 10%.
The increased competition also had consequences on prices. According to Analytica, appliances became 57% cheaper compared to the general average of the economy, while clothing was 42% cheaper in relative terms.
Javier Milei alongside the Minister of Deregulation, Federico Sturzenegger
For consumers, the new scenario expanded purchasing alternatives and reduced the cost of goods that had been subject to strong restrictions and limited external competition for years.
The entry of imported products adds competitive pressure on segments that still face consumption and financing issues. Despite representing only 1.8% of total imports, courier services already account for 13.5% of external purchases of consumer goods and ranked as the fourth most relevant importing category of the semester.
