Hike in Cargo Fees Sparks Dissatisfaction in Argentina’s Foreign Trade Sector

In the final days of 2023, Argentina’s General Ports Administration (AGP) formalized an increase in fees for containerized cargo at the Port of Buenos Aires through regulation 195/2023. According to this measure, the fees now stand at $8 per ton for exports, with a 50% discount, and $8 without any discount for imports. These rates had been adjusted in March 2023, so the sector views this as an update.

“For exports, we were paying $2, then they raised it to $4 with a 50% discount,” detailed industry sources to Ser Industria. The rate has risen to $8 and remains at $4 with the discount. This results in higher costs for foreign trade.

The Freight Council, comprised of the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) and the Argentine Chamber of Commerce (CAC), along with the Chambers of Exporters and Importers of Argentina (CERA) and (CIRA), had been seeking a reduction in port costs since 2022.

These efforts were unsuccessful. In March, rates were simplified, leading to increased costs for the entire foreign trade sector.

Discontentment

“Now we’re back to the same story; they’re modifying the rates for cargo again over the justification that AGP has improved infrastructure at some point. But these are 100-year-old projects,” complained an Argentine foreign trade sector representative, who also complained that these additional costs are directly passed on to end consumers. This Freight Council had already tried to raise awareness of this issue before.

A presentation was made to former Ministers of Economy and presidential candidate Sergio Massa, Transportation Minister Diego Giuliano, and Jimena López, Secretary of Transportation Management, without receiving a response—the industry now awaits new officials to be appointed to try to work on the issue again.

The rise in these fees did not go through public hearings, a process that should have occurred, according to sources heard by Ser Industria.

Source: Ser Industria

Click here to read the original article in Spanish: https://www.serindustria.com.ar/agp-sube-la-tasa-de-carga-y-genera-malestar-en-el-comercio-exterior/

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