Argentina's Federal Public Revenue Administration (AFIP) and Ministry of Security have issued Joint Resolution No. 2/2024, introducing new procedural rules for import and export certificates of chemical precursors. Effective from September 27, 2024, the changes aim to streamline customs clearance for overseas chemical buyers and traders by integrating RENPRE certificates into the VUCEA single-window system, reducing paperwork and automating validations.
Key regulatory change
The Joint Resolution, published in the Official Gazette on September 27, 2024, replaces the earlier ANA Resolution No. 2020/1993. It mandates that certificates for chemical substances listed in Annex II, List I of Decree PEN No. 593/2017 must now be processed through the National Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEA). The new rules take effect 10 business days after publication, i.e., around October 11, 2024.
Procedures for List I substances (53 NCM tariff codes)
For import or export of List I chemicals or products containing them, paper certificates are no longer required. The RENPRE will issue certificates via the Electronic Document Management System (GDE). Customs brokers must enter the certificate identifier code (e.g., "CE-2023-12345678-APNDRYFPQ#MSG") in the Malvina System (SIM) and use specific LPCO codes: LPCOVUCE0003 for exports with different declared units, LPCOVUCE0004 for exports with same units, LPCOVUCE0005 for imports with different units, and LPCOVUCE0006 for imports with same units.
Procedures for List II substances (21 NCM tariff codes)
Operators dealing with List II chemicals must be registered in the RENPRE. In the Special Surveillance Zone (Article 7 of the Customs Code), the General Customs Directorate will monitor that products from List II do not enter in quantities exceeding the minimum necessary for direct consumption in that zone.
Compliance and logistics signals
If the SIM detects data inconsistencies, it will block customs clearance and notify the broker for correction. AFIP will send a report of customs declarations linked to issued certificates to the Ministry of Security. In case of system failures preventing automatic validation, the Customs Directorate may authorize a contingency mechanism requiring paper submissions.
What buyers should watch
Overseas chemical importers and exporters should ensure their Argentine customs brokers are familiar with the new VUCEA-integrated certificate process. Certificates issued before September 27, 2024, that remain valid at the time of SIM declaration are exempt from the new procedures. Buyers should verify that their shipments' tariff codes fall under List I or II to determine applicable rules.
Source: Read the original report | Published: September 30, 2024