I would like to bring in a printer for a friend. I would like bring it through customs at EZE as well. There is a great Laser Printer on sale for less than $100 here in Los Angeles. If I brought it in via air as baggage ( I have 3 pc allowance on UA ) and declared it ( on some form I guess as I will have a receipt). Will I have a hassle? Forms to fill out or lines to wait in? I normally just get Xrayed and walk ( very fast ) Is the Duty Free Exemption $300 USD?? For USA Residents. Kindly advise...

Wirelessly posted (Nokia N97 / Palm TX: Mozilla/5.0 (SymbianOS/9.4; Series60/5.0 NokiaN97-3/10.2.012; Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1; en-us) AppleWebKit/525 (KHTML, like Gecko) WicKed/7.1.12344)

I suggest you just get in the customs line... If they ask just tell them the cost and show the paperwork.. You should be fine.

Alex, I believe the exemption is still US$300 (US$150 if less than 16).

I've brought in a couple of printers without a problem. I never declare specifically anything on the form if the total is less than $300. I just indicate that I have less than the exemption.

I always have the receipts handy though ... a few times I've had an attempted shake down, but I've always stood my ground (and can prove everything with receipts).

When the shake down starts, I speak in English to make it difficult for them to indicate what they want but I always indicate I'm in no hurry and will stand my ground - and point out that I can read both the English and castellano on the forms that specifically detail the exemption. If they persist, I switch from my pleasant persona to a more business like tone that the other passengers now being held up can overhear. That seems to discourage any further harassment.

John

Flying Machine - will the printer work on 220V/50 Hz? I have an HP DeskJet that is internally autosensing (some HPs also have 120/220 dual voltage bricks).

John

Good Point, I did not know there is a difference in voltage, as the plug types looked the same? I never took notice before and plugged something in from the States. Can you advise on this point any further? I would appeciate that help. Its actually a Brother HL Series I was thinking about buying, I will need to verify on my side too. Thanks for the tip. May have started an Asado with a bad flavor profile..

Just saw this:
http://www.adaptelec.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=251
Guess I would need a convertor and step down transformer?

I would not worry about voltage... even if the printer is only 120VAC, your friend will be able to buy a reliable and inexpensive AC transformer... these are widely available in Buenos Aires and will include a "female" port that will accomodate the US style plug.

Yes.... sorry, it is US$300, I was mistaken (confirmed this with a TA friend).

Does someone have a link to an Argentine Customs website where the details of the allowance are explained..???

If so... please post here !!!! Thanks.

From www.aa2000.com.ar

Which are the taxes charged by Customs?

In the case of international and regional flights, you can enter the country:

Without paying any fee:
- Clothes, and personal objects already used.
- Books, newspapers, and brochures for non-commercial purposes.
- Brand-new products for an amount of up to US $300 (US $150 for minors under 16).
- Additional benefit of US $300 (US $150 for minors under 16) for goods purchased at the Duty Free-Shops upon arriving.

Paying the Duty:
- Any goods exceeding US $300 (US $150 for minors under 16), with non-commercial purposes.
For more information, please contact
The National Customs Department (Direcci�n General de Aduanas):
0810-999-2347

I can't find the Form, but the exemption is 300u$s, FYI most printers/laptops/digital camera chargers are 110-240v compatible, but you need to buy a plug adapter like this (just 3 pesos/1 dollar)



EDIT: here is the form (PDF)

http://www.afip.gov.ar/genericos/for...f/f2087_G1.pdf

Here's also the AFIP customs regulations for tourists (in English):
http://www.afip.gov.ar/english/touristInformation.asp

John

Thanks John.... just what I needed... ^ ^

Fede.... please note the above image is of the old electric norm in Argentina.... while outlets with that norm will still exist in older construction/buildings and may still be available at some hotels... Argentina's newly adopted electrical norm has the three (3) prong/leg system... and they are flat rather than round connectors.

Im sure John or some other of the local residents will dig up a picture and post it.

Yes I know but IMO the old adapter still the best option, the new electrical outlet are compatible with the old electric norm

Electric plug adapter (new norm)



or



New electrical outlet (not all are compatible)

Although there used to be a huge price differential between printer prices in the US and Argentina, the prices at the low end are now more comparable. If you have to buy a step down transformer, I don't think it's worth it. The Brother HL series is only 110V in the US, and would require a real 1000W step-down transformer (not a voltage-clipping cheapy), and one that has a three prong (grounded earth) plug.

For example, you can buy an HP P1005 laser printer in Argentina for 514 pesos (~US134), which lists for US$100 is the US (excluding tax, but you would be able to find store discounts).

http://www.fravega.com.ar/productos/13

Fedechat, although many small electronics are dual voltage in the US, that is not the case for printers, which have a high current draw. The US market is so big, and very competitive, that products destined for the US (and that of course have to be specifically approved), and are not designed for travel, are normally only 110V (cheaper to manufacture).

Often you will see identical products around the world that come localized with a country-specific wall wart transformers. Dual voltage transformers are more expensive, and many countries now have mandatory energy efficiency requirements for step-down transformers.

John

In my experience if you are foreign the customs people don't really want to know.

A few weeks ago my usual trick of acting like a foreign idiot worked a treat. ^

You have to act?

So your wife makes you the mule to carry in the contrabando? ^^

John