Importing a car from the USA

[db887]

A fu


A good research project ...!

1. Find out the import vehicle regulations in all neighboring Mercosur Countries
2. Find out the regulations to nationalize (obtain local plates) for a vehicle in all Mercosur Countries.
3. Study all the possible combinations of the above options and obtain the Optimum in terms of Cost, time , and paperwork.
4. Another Option enter Arg with Mercosur Plates and exit every six months
5. Drive the car down the Panamericana from the USA.

#1 and #2 Can be taken care of with one phone call to customs agent that will quote bribe amount on the spot. Modifications parts and labor included.
#3 Yes, some jurisdictions do take time issuing permanent plates but the same customs agent can negotiate reasonable wait time.
#4 Keep in mind the purpose of this research project is to retain as many as possible options to respond effectively to any any situation created by arg customs and not being subject of blackmail while they holding your car and yourself as hostage. In that case, a border run every 3-6 months might be seen as a reasonable compromise.
#5 That route is no longer available since Darien gap ferry suspended operations.

 

[Somewhereinba]

Why would anyone even attempt to do this unless they like pain and headaches... Fair enough if you are minted and money doesn't matter and you want your special car but if that is not the reality then don't bother and get one here.

 

[Rich One]

#1 and #2 Can be taken care of with one phone call to customs agent that will quote bribe amount on the spot. Modifications parts and labor included.
#3 Yes, some jurisdictions do take time issuing permanent plates but the same customs agent can negotiate reasonable wait time.
#4 Keep in mind the purpose of this research project is to retain as many as possible options to respond effectively to any any situation created by arg customs and not being subject of blackmail while they holding your car and yourself as hostage. In that case, a border run every 3-6 months might be seen as a reasonable compromise.
#5 That route is no longer available since Darien gap ferry suspended operations.

I Had a car with Chilean Plates for 5 years and had to exit every six months. It would be too long to write the customs experiences at Paso Libertadores . Four Crossings per year . Twenty total...!!! 1500 kmts. each way
Obtaining Argie plates was way too Expensive. Finally I bought an Argie Car...!

I could write a book about, the not so nice expressions from Truck Drivers on the Road with Chilean Plates... Chileno Puto was the nicest..!
As well as what was written on the dust covering the car when parked...
Finally I had a plate made with the Chilean lettering but in the Argie Format/Color

Good Luck

 

[mc kenna]

You may end up in jail or in a nuthouse

and in both cases, broke financially

 

[on the brink]

In Argentina, it is generally not a good idea to stand out from the crowd - that is, the nail that sticks out gets the hammer.

Nothing beats flying below the government radar.

 

[Stephano]

Reviving this 2019 post, to see whether someone has successfully imported a car from the USA in the following 4 years, or it is still the same Pain & Suffering scenario.
I still own my beloved 4Runner in the States and was toying with the idea of importing it here when I get permanent residency (it is mentioned that there is or was a 6 months grace period for that), but as far as I can understand from older posts this has been from very difficult to nearly impossible, so I was wondering if by any chance something has changes since 2019. This article I have found online states that as a permanent resident you are allowed the import of a used car and that you will be exempt from most of the import duties, which otherwise would approach almost the entire vehicle value.
I understand that probably buying a car with ARG plates would be ideal, and that probably wandering around with a New Jersey plated SUV is not the best idea, but given the sentimental value of that car I wand to at least understand feasibility.
All comments are appreciated!

 

[RichardP]

Quite a few older ones available on Mercado Libre. Not cheap though.

Autos y Camionetas Toyota 4Runner | MercadoLibre.com.ar

Descubrí los Vehículos para Comprar más buscados en Autos y Camionetas Toyota 4Runner y Vende el tuyo ➤ ¡Encontrá tu próximo Vehículo!

autos.mercadolibre.com.ar

 

[Stephano]

Quite a few available on Mercado Libre. Not cheap though.

Autos y Camionetas Toyota 4Runner | MercadoLibre.com.ar

Descubrí los Vehículos para Comprar más buscados en Autos y Camionetas Toyota 4Runner y Vende el tuyo ➤ ¡Encontrá tu próximo Vehículo!

autos.mercadolibre.com.ar

Thanks! Outrageous prices, but probably this is normal here in Argentina.
Just for reference, I bought mine (a 2002 3rd gen.) in 2020 with 190.000 miles and paid 2,800$.

 

[Rich One]

Reviving this 2019 post, to see whether someone has successfully imported a car from the USA in the following 4 years, or it is still the same Pain & Suffering scenario.
I still own my beloved 4Runner in the States and was toying with the idea of importing it here when I get permanent residency (it is mentioned that there is or was a 6 months grace period for that), but as far as I can understand from older posts this has been from very difficult to nearly impossible, so I was wondering if by any chance something has changes since 2019. This article I have found online states that as a permanent resident you are allowed the import of a used car and that you will be exempt from most of the import duties, which otherwise would approach almost the entire vehicle value.
I understand that probably buying a car with ARG plates would be ideal, and that probably wandering around with a New Jersey plated SUV is not the best idea, but given the sentimental value of that car I wand to at least understand feasibility.
All comments are appreciated!

If you import your used SUV duty free, as a new resident. Find out the cost of getting Argie license plates.
The value was approx 5 % of the Blue book value of the vehicle.

 

[FrankPintor]

Quite a few older ones available on Mercado Libre. Not cheap though.

Autos y Camionetas Toyota 4Runner | MercadoLibre.com.ar

Descubrí los Vehículos para Comprar más buscados en Autos y Camionetas Toyota 4Runner y Vende el tuyo ➤ ¡Encontrá tu próximo Vehículo!

autos.mercadolibre.com.ar

Toyota sell at a premium here in Argentina, you could get a 10-year younger Volvo SUV with a V6 for about the same price as in the ML listing.