Argentine Custom inspections

This subject comes up from time to time, usually related to someones specific need to bring more than 10 g's into the country, but the discussion always ends up going nowhere because no one has any idea of the realistic odds of an American tourist being searched at customs to the extent that the customs agent would uncover cash in excess of the maximum. Of course, if you pass through customs repeatedly you're going to get waived through a fair percentage of the time, but the issue here is the other end of the Argentine Customs enforcement spectrum.

So here's my question for this survey:

What type of customs inspections have you experienced at EZE?

This is a multiple-selection survey, so please indicate all experiences you may have had.

The usernames of the survey participants will not be made public.

Last time I counted I had 44 arrivals stamped in my passport.

Of those 44 at least 10 were green light no inspection.

25 or so more through xray machine and off I go. (Just for fun at least 5 of those I didn't put my luggage on the machine and just walked through like a stupid tourist, only once was I directed to place my luggage on the machine. Look for the machine that the guy is hitting on the girl working at the next machine he won't even know you passed through)

3 maybe 4 times they looked through my stuff but only to open the top.

Twice that I recall they asked me about electronics, both of those times I was bringing in complete desk tops, box and flat screen. I said they were mine and off I went.

Never once was I patted down, never once have I payed any duties.

I know it doesn't add up to 44 but as Erlichman said a lot, this is the truth to the best of my recolection.

I swear you could bring a dumptruck full of heroin, while loaded with explosives through that airport.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]I swear you could bring a dumptruck full of heroin, while loaded with explosives through that airport.[/QUOTE]Yeah, as long as you don't have anything they don't look, but all hell breaks loose the one time you try to slip through 800,000 USD in a suitcase.

Patria, Socialismo o Muerte -- Viva la Revolucion Bolivariana!

Hello Fellows:

This is my first contribution in the forum, I've been only once in Argentina, but my 2 cents is this:

I am mexican and according to mexican law if you get caught with more than 10 K's you are fined ONLY If you don't report your money, but if you do report it, no problem! If you introduce more than 30 K's without letting them know, be careful because you are commiting a Federal Crime and you could be punished with jail term and a fine.

Now, thinking about Argentina, Does anybody know if there is a problem with a person declaring he's entering the country with more than 10 k's? I mean it would be ridiculous if they would tell you, sorry you monger are going to spend too much hard currency (and hard earned) in our pussy!

My guess is they will let you in without anything else but a pat in your back!

Obviously I don't know Argentinian Fiscal Law, but if some of the lawyers in the forum can counsel us in that one I think we all would be very grateful.

Thanks and greetings

I have been always waived through the customs in Argentina and the same in Brasil.

Interesting enough on my trip this year when I came back to good old Germany the customs officers asked me for what reason I have been in Argentina and then heavily checked my luggage. He was looking for drugs, medicine and imitated goods.

Lueck Hoff

[QUOTE=Whiskas]Hello Fellows:

My guess is they will let you in without anything else but a pat in your back!

Obviously I don't know Argentinian Fiscal Law, Thanks and greetings[/QUOTE]Here are the basic regulations regarding entering or leaving Argentina with more than US$10,000 or equivalent instruments such as checks:

1) When entering Argentina with more than US$10,000 you have to declare it by completing the customs (Aduana) form N° OM 2087. If you are caught with more than 10 grand it will be confiscated. Over many months you will have a number of hearings in front of judge to prove the origin of the money to get it back. If you are found guilty of not declaring the money in the end you could be fined double the amount confiscated.

2) Leaving Argentina with more than US$10,000 is much more complicated.

If you are between the ages of 16-21 you can leave with up to US$2,000 or its equivalent.

If you are less than the age of 16 years you can leave the country with up to US$1,000 or its equivalent.

If you are 21 years old or more you can leave Argentina with US$10,000 or its equivalent. However, under no legal circumstances can one physically take out of Argentina more than 10 grand. It can only be sent via wire or other means of transferring money by a bank or exchange house after it's been approved by AFIP. Of course you have to prove the origin of the money and it might take up to 7 days for the money to be sent.

I realize the checking of passengers entering or leaving Argentina is somewhat lax, but this year alone customs (Aduana) confiscated about 3 million dollars from passengers traveling with more than 10 grand (includes the infamous Antonini suitcase with the 800 grand) Customs, assisted by AFIP (equivalent of the IRS) is looking to scare the populace into keeping their dollars in the country. They are being tough on inspecting people entering and leaving the country at airports, Buquebus terminals, and frontier crossings.

Suerte

I got patted down, but so was every other male. Since it was my first visit, did not think it was a big deal. From the poll, appears it was not the norm. Guess they had some reason to make it an equal opportunity thing: all males. Thought I would clarify.

[QUOTE=Whiskas]Now, thinking about Argentina, Does anybody know if there is a problem with a person declaring he's entering the country with more than 10 k's?

My guess is they will let you in without anything else but a pat in your back![/QUOTE]I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. I can't tell you what the law is but I can suggest this. I believe and have stated before, if you declare more than 10K whomever you tell it to will immediatly be on the phone with their cousin Paco to follow you to wherever you are going so they can rob you.

Bring in 9999.00 if you're going to be there a long time and use your bank card for the rest. Never give an accurate address on the "where are you staying" form.

I think the 800K seizure was the result of somebody dropping a dime, not efficient work of AFIP as we know that efficiency is not a concept known in ARG.

[QUOTE=Daddy Rulz]I think the 800K seizure was the result of somebody dropping a dime, not efficient work of AFIP as we know that efficiency is not a concept known in ARG.[/QUOTE]The seizure was not work of the AFIP - It was an airport police officer (Maria Lujan Telpuk) who discovered the money.

If you want you can PM me and I'll give you all the details which has nothing to do with anyone dropping a dime!

There is a Wikipedia article on her.

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_del_Luj%C3%A1n_Telpuk[/url]

A monger who will remain nameless told me he demanded to be "Subjected to a Body Cavity X-Ray / Search."

[QUOTE=Thomaso276]A monger who will remain nameless told me he demanded to be "Subjected to a Body Cavity X-Ray / Search."[/QUOTE]I don't want to mention any names, but he has been know to advocate the practice of bringing USA-bought electronics into Argentina to be resold locally for a profit.

However, knowing that he routinely attempts to bring contraband through EZE, I guess he's figured out how far he needs to push his luck in order to get his mix of business with pleasure.

Thanks,

Jackson

[QUOTE=Tessan]There is a Wikipedia article on her.

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_del_Luj%C3%A1n_Telpuk[/url][/QUOTE]I love the fact that she got famous and went in Playboy, Premium and then got some new bolt-on's before she appeared in court last month.

Think she would go out for 300p?