Argentine citizens returning to permanently reside in Argentina after living abroad, and foreign nationals who have obtained permanent residency in Argentina, may import their personal effects, furniture, and other household goods duty-free, including tools, machines, devices, and instruments necessary for the practice of their profession, provided that these do not suggest the installation of workshops, commercial or industrial laboratories, or similar establishments. As part of this process, the Consulate issues a residence certificate for customs purposes.

Argentine citizens residing in the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in Atlanta (Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, or Tennessee), may process the customs residence certificate at this Consulate.

The applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Be an Argentine citizen, or a foreign national with permanent residency in Argentina.
• Be of legal age.
• Provide proof of residence abroad for at least the last 12 months (if not planning to bring a car) or at least 24 months (if planning to bring a car).
• Not have used this same customs exemption in the past seven years.

The applicant must provide the following:

• Argentine and foreign passport (if applicable).
• DNI (Argentine National Identity Document).
• Proof of effective residence in the jurisdiction of the Consulate for at least the last 12 months (if not planning to bring a car) or 24 months (if planning to bring a car). The consul will evaluate whether the submitted documentation is sufficient to prove residence, and the Consulate may request additional documentation.
• Documentation proving residence in the jurisdiction of this Consulate General may include any of the following:
• Original valid passport and photocopies of the first page and entry stamp page (must show a U.S. entry stamp or, alternatively, a copy of form I-94).
• DNI with updated address change.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Original and copy of proof of residence in the applicant’s name that reliably demonstrate current residence in the jurisdiction of this Consulate General (e.g., utility bills for phone, electricity, gas, or cable television; if these are not in the applicant’s name but in the name of their spouse, partner, parent, or child, a certificate proving the relationship is required—birth or marriage certificate. If issued by U.S. authorities, these certificates must bear the Hague Apostille).
• Applicant’s contact information sheet, including phone number, email, and address.
• If bringing a vehicle, the title of ownership in the beneficiary’s name and proof of registration is also required. The vehicle must be used, have a CIF value at Customs of up to 15,000 U.S. dollars, and have been registered in the beneficiary’s name with the competent U.S. authority at least 3 months before the return date to Argentina.
• A money order for 80 U.S. dollars (if not bringing a car) or 180 U.S. dollars (if bringing a car) made out to “Consulate of Argentina in Atlanta.”
• A prepaid envelope if you would like us to mail the certificate to you.

How to begin the process

Applicants with the above-mentioned documentation must request an appointment via email to notarial_catla@mrecic.gob.ar with the subject line “Certificado residencia aduanero + FULL NAME” and an appointment will be assigned. When attending the Consulate, the applicant must bring all the required documentation.

The applicant may request, when scheduling the appointment, to complete the process remotely via videoconference. In that case, all documentation (including a copy of the DNI and passport certified by a notary and bearing the Hague Apostille), including the money order, must be sent by postal mail to the Consulate.

Notes regarding the role of Customs in the import process

Given the complexity of the applicable regulations (Customs Resolution 5107/1980, Customs Resolution 3751/1994, and AFIP Resolution 3109/2011), and considering that the Argentine Customs authority is the final authority on the matter, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a customs broker to handle the process.