Argentina has passed a couple of new laws and regulations related to taking artwork, paintings & sculptures out of the country. While this is aimed at protecting the highly valued works of art that make up the cultural & artistic heritage of the country, it’s being reported that the Police at EZE is also stopping visitors that have bought relatively inexpensive artistic "curios" & souvenirs; and is demanding paperwork that certifies that these goods are allowed to be taken out of the country.

This is a rather unfortunate development, as it seems that the Airport authorities are unable to use basic common sense in judging what is a valuable painting/work of art and what is an inexpensive souvenir…. (then again, few law enforcement folks are trained to do this). In any event, at least until the new regulations are in place for a couple of months and both the EZE Police and the vendors get their act together regarding paperwork, please beware of this issue.

It seems that the street vendors at the markets & fairs are being informed of this and they should begin to provide some sort of paperwork or documentation to ensure that their patrons are not subjected to headaches when they try to take their purchases back home.

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It seems that the street vendors at the markets & fairs are being informed of this and they should begin to provide some sort of paperwork or documentation to ensure that their patrons are not subjected to headaches when they try to take their purchases back home.

Alex, I can't quite see the street vendors wanting to give any sort of paperwork lest the AFIP get wind of this possible income source.

I guess some of the security people will have nice artwork to go with the wine they've confiscated :td:

You mean if I try to take some of my own canvases back to the US, I might be accused of trying to steal Argentina's cultural heritage? ;) After all, I don't have any kind of receipt!

John

Alex, I can't quite see the street vendors wanting to give any sort of paperwork lest the AFIP get wind of this possible income source.

I guess some of the security people will have nice artwork to go with the wine they've confiscated :td:

You mean if I try to take some of my own canvases back to the US, I might be accused of trying to steal Argentina's cultural heritage? ;) After all, I don't have any kind of receipt!

John


John... you are correct about the Tax Man... but, the city government is working together with the AFIP and a large portion of the artisans and street vendors are having (and doing so) to sign up for at least the basic flat tax in order to keep their "business" open... so that is already something that is underway and will be unavoidable for most vendors.

If you ask me, they should kill one bird with one stone and also start giving out the paperwork for the airport folks.

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