Argentina’s government will eliminate import tariffs on mobile phones and reduce taxes on other electronic products in a bid to bring down costs and tackle smuggling and theft.
Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni announced Tuesday at a press conference that upcoming changes would slash the current 16-percent import tariff on mobile phones to zero.
The policy will be implemented in two phases, said President Javier Milei’s top spokesperson: first, a cut to eight percent with immediate effect once a decree is published in the coming days, followed by a full removal as from January 15, 2026.
Internal taxes on mobile phones, televisions and air conditioning units would also be lowered. For imported devices, the rate will fall from 19 percent to 9.5 percent. For those manufactured in Argentina’s southern Tierra del Fuego Province, a heavily subsidied hub for such production, it will drop from 9.5 percent to zero.
The Milei government says the changes will reduce crime and bring Argentina closer in line with regional prices. “A high-end 5G phone currently costs twice as much in Argentina as it does in Brazil or the United States,” claimed Adorni, branding the current situation “ridiculous.”
Electronic goods are significantly more expensive in Argentina than in most neighbouring countries, due to a combination of import restrictions, high internal taxes and local manufacturing subsidies. Industry analysts say the current regime harms competitiveness and restricts access to modern devices.
The government boldly estimated on Tuesday that the reforms could lower the retail price of imported electronics to consumers by at least 30 percent.
Adorni framed the decision as part of President Milei’s campaign pledge to slash taxes.
“As President Javier Milei pledged at the start of his administration, as the fiscal surplus consolidates, taxes will continue to be reduced. The money the state steals from people through taxes must be returned to Argentines’ pockets,” he said.
– TIMES/NA
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