Argentina unveils new Import Statistics System to streamline trade

The government of Argentina has officially introduced a new Import Statistics System (SEDI) to simplify import procedures, replacing the SIRA. This action was formalized through Resolution 1/2023, published on Tuesday (26/12) in the country’s official bulletin and signed by the Federal Public Revenue Administration and the Ministry of Commerce.

The proposed measure aims to repeal Resolution No. 523 of 2017 and its amendments to streamline import operations, considering WTO provisions and other trade agreements approved by previous laws.

Under the previous system, all tariff categories outlined by the Common Nomenclature of MERCOSUR (NCM) and intended for final import and consumption were obligated to obtain Automatic Import Licenses. However, with the introduction of the new system, this mandatory requirement for import licenses is no longer in place.

According to the official statement, this measure aligns with the provisions of the Agreement on Import License Procedures defined by the WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO), approved through Law No. 24.425, as well as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994, Annex I of the Treaty of Asuncion approved by Law No. 23.981, and the Treaty of Montevideo of 1980 approved by Law No. 22.354.

What SEDI Means:

The resolution will take effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.

In summary, the repeal of Resolution No. 523 means that, from now on, all goods falling under all tariff positions of the Common Nomenclature of MERCOSUR (NCM) for definitive import consumption can enter the country without the need for an import license.

SEDI aims to provide descriptive and advanced statistical information for historical records to analyze their evolution efficiently. This analysis is helpful for the eventual adoption of commercial defense measures without causing delays in productive sectors. It establishes an administrative procedure with greater simplicity and transparency.

SEDI declarations must be made by importers, defined in section 1 of Article 91 of the Customs Code, with a validity period of 360 consecutive days.

When making the SEDI declaration, the Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP) will analyze, based on the information available in its records, the taxpayer’s tax situation and economic-financial capacity to carry out the intended operation.

Operations exempt from making SEDI declarations include:

• Import destinations for consumption under sample, donation, and diplomatic franchise regimes,
• Goods with rights and tax franchises,
• Goods entered under the Courier or postal shipments regime,
• Goods covered by the regime of imports for inputs for scientific-technological research framed in the certificate provided for in Article 4 of Law No. 25.613,
• Goods from the Special Customs Area created by Law No. 19.640 imported into the continental territory, as well as import operations of goods from the continental territory imported into this Special Customs Area, and
• All goods entering under General Resolution No. 3,628 (AFIP) provisions.

Goods declared under the SEDI declaration will have a tolerance in the unit FOB value of 7% more or less and a quantity of 7% more, with no limitations when it is lower than declared in the SEDI declaration compared to those stated in the corresponding import destination requests.

Source: ámbito

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