I received a second TELEGRAMA from Correo Argentina about the package of chocolates that a friend sent me three months ago from Scotland. The telegram has a different codigo de pago that the first one. I tried every conceivable way to pay the 100 peso delivery fee (pago facil, Banelco ATM). Correo Argentina told me to call AFIP asking for a modification of payment -- since I don't have a local bank account to pay the fee (the case for many foreigners), I need authorization to go directly to Aduanas at Retiro for the package. There is a deadline of December 16, or they will return the package to the sender.
The chocolate may not be edible. Getting authorization from AFIP is a major hurdle. I don't think I'll bother at this point with only ten days to the deadline.
This just confirms what a complete farce the system is on low value items.
Is the 100 peso release fee a joke?