Hi all,
I am planning on moving to Buenos Aires in May and I would like to get some advise regarding getting taxed when going through customs. Here is my situation – I am an Argentine citizen that now has a DNI, but I do not have a passport yet. I obviously want to minimize the likelihood of a customs officer pulling me over and taxing my personal items. So, I figure there are 3 possibilities on how to enter at the airport:
1. Wait on the Argentine line and show my DNI with my US passport
2. Wait on the US line (that's what I saw it labeled last year; I don't know if it was just labeled US because the flight was from the US) and show my DNI with my US passport
3. Wait on the US line and just show my US passport, and don't even bother to show my DNI. For this one I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do that. Is it the law that Argentines must identify themselves as citizens, and if they don't they can get in trouble possibly later on? I know that they will only stamp my passport for 90 days. That's fine, I can easily get an Argentine passport soon after arriving (I know I will need one to leave the country if leaving past 90 days).
Basically, I am not bringing down everything and the kitchen sink in this flight, but I will need to bring a lot of stuff. I'm primarily worried about my electronics. I have a new laptop, my HTC phone, I may buy a tablet, and possibly I may want to bring down my printer and monitor which are probably around 5 years old. Also, a bunch of old books.
I had been at the consulate and they told me they could have gotten me a certificado de residencia which would have exempt me of import duties, but now it's too late for that, because for that I need an Argentine passport, and to get that (an emergency one), since it's my first time, they need to do a security check in BA which will take 90 – 150 days. Later, I had spoken to someone else there by phone and they said just by showing my DNI they should not tax me. I'm really confused now. Like, I thought Argentines would be more likely to be taxed then non-Argentines? On the other hand, I heard if you are moving, your personal items will be exempt.
Any guidance in this area will be much appreciated. I want to enter honestly and legally, and want to know what to expect. Also, when I'm on the plane and fill out the form, should I fill out the Argentine one or the US one. I guess that would also be dependent on the answer to #3 above. In either case, do I have to declare my personal items? It just seems ridiculous that I would have to. And if so, what of them? Is there some time factor involved, like items purchased in the last 6 months?
Ok. Thanks a lot for listening.
Steven
I am planning on moving to Buenos Aires in May and I would like to get some advise regarding getting taxed when going through customs. Here is my situation – I am an Argentine citizen that now has a DNI, but I do not have a passport yet. I obviously want to minimize the likelihood of a customs officer pulling me over and taxing my personal items. So, I figure there are 3 possibilities on how to enter at the airport:
1. Wait on the Argentine line and show my DNI with my US passport
2. Wait on the US line (that's what I saw it labeled last year; I don't know if it was just labeled US because the flight was from the US) and show my DNI with my US passport
3. Wait on the US line and just show my US passport, and don't even bother to show my DNI. For this one I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do that. Is it the law that Argentines must identify themselves as citizens, and if they don't they can get in trouble possibly later on? I know that they will only stamp my passport for 90 days. That's fine, I can easily get an Argentine passport soon after arriving (I know I will need one to leave the country if leaving past 90 days).
Basically, I am not bringing down everything and the kitchen sink in this flight, but I will need to bring a lot of stuff. I'm primarily worried about my electronics. I have a new laptop, my HTC phone, I may buy a tablet, and possibly I may want to bring down my printer and monitor which are probably around 5 years old. Also, a bunch of old books.
I had been at the consulate and they told me they could have gotten me a certificado de residencia which would have exempt me of import duties, but now it's too late for that, because for that I need an Argentine passport, and to get that (an emergency one), since it's my first time, they need to do a security check in BA which will take 90 – 150 days. Later, I had spoken to someone else there by phone and they said just by showing my DNI they should not tax me. I'm really confused now. Like, I thought Argentines would be more likely to be taxed then non-Argentines? On the other hand, I heard if you are moving, your personal items will be exempt.
Any guidance in this area will be much appreciated. I want to enter honestly and legally, and want to know what to expect. Also, when I'm on the plane and fill out the form, should I fill out the Argentine one or the US one. I guess that would also be dependent on the answer to #3 above. In either case, do I have to declare my personal items? It just seems ridiculous that I would have to. And if so, what of them? Is there some time factor involved, like items purchased in the last 6 months?
Ok. Thanks a lot for listening.
Steven