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Argentina Eliminates Import Taxes on iPhones, Laptops, and Consoles Until 2026, Leaving Brazil at a Disadvantage. See How the Measure Could Lower the iPhone 16 Price by Up to R$ 2,300 and Transform the Technological Landscape in South America.
Argentina surprised the South American market by announcing the elimination of import taxes on a wide range of technological products until 2026. The measure, part of a plan by President Javier Milei to boost access to technology and lower electronic prices in the country, is expected to make items such as laptops, consoles, and the highly anticipated iPhone 16 Pro Max significantly more affordable in Argentine territory—with prices up to R$ 2,300 lower compared to Brazil. The decision is already causing repercussions in the regional economy and reignites the debate about Brazil’s heavy tax burden on technology products.
According to the decree published in the Argentine Official Gazette, the 16% tax applied to the importation of laptops, tablets, video game consoles, servers, and smartphones has been officially eliminated. The new rule applies to both importing companies and final consumers who legally purchase these items. As a result, the neighboring country positions itself as one of the most competitive in the region regarding access to cutting-edge technology.
Argentina Eliminates Tax on Laptops, Smartphones, and Consoles Until 2026
The Argentine government’s measure aims to stimulate the digitalization of the economy and reduce the technological gap faced by millions of citizens. According to the country’s Ministry of Economy, the decision to eliminate import taxes is aligned with goals of digital inclusion and modernization of the productive sector.
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This means that laptops, tablets, video game consoles (such as PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch), as well as premium smartphones like the future iPhone 16 Pro Max, will be sold at much more competitive prices than in neighboring countries—especially Brazil.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the iPhone 16 Pro Max, expected to launch in September 2025, could cost up to R$ 2,300 less than in the Brazilian market, even considering exchange rates and internal Argentine taxes.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Expected to Arrive Cheaper in Argentina Than in Brazil
In Brazil, the 1 TB iPhone 16 Pro Max reached prices as high as R$ 14,000, mainly due to high taxes and distributor margins.
With Argentina’s new policy, the iPhone 16 Pro Max could hit Argentine stores at prices up to 20% lower. This is due to the import tax exemption, the logistical simplification adopted by companies operating in the country, and the reduction of burdens on resellers.
In practice, this should attract Brazilian consumers living near the border or planning international trips to purchase the device at a much more favorable price.
Electronics Without Tax: Consoles and Laptops Also Become More Accessible
In addition to smartphones, Argentina’s new tax policy also directly benefits the games and computers market. Next-generation consoles—such as the PlayStation 5, which still costs around R$ 4,000 in Brazil—can be found at much lower prices in Argentine territory.
In the IT sector, laptops and servers are included in the list of products with a zero tax rate. This is expected to boost both domestic consumption and investment from small and medium-sized enterprises that previously struggled to modernize their equipment due to the high cost of imported devices.
The expectation is that brands like Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Asus will leverage the new scenario to strengthen their presence in Argentina, offering more comprehensive lines of laptops at accessible prices. The measure may also benefit the educational sector, which relies on computers and tablets for distance learning and school laboratories.
Brazil vs Argentina: Tax Policy Places Countries on Opposite Paths in Technology
While Argentina advances with a tax relief policy to democratize access to technology, Brazil continues to have one of the highest tax burdens in the world on electronic products. According to a survey by Abinee (Brazilian Association of Electrical and Electronics Industry), about 40% of the final price of a smartphone in Brazil consists of taxes— including IPI, ICMS, PIS/Cofins, and import fees.
The difference in public policies has drawn criticism from Brazilian consumers and representatives of the retail and technology sectors. Additionally, the price disparity could stimulate “technology tourism,” with Brazilians crossing the border in search of better deals, especially in cities like Puerto Iguazú, Posadas, and Mendoza, which border Brazil.
Brazilian Industry Fears Pressure on Sales and Calls for Tax Revision
Brazilian electronics companies are already showing concern about the impacts of the Argentine measure. With lower prices in neighboring countries, domestic consumption could shift overseas, directly affecting the national retail sector.
The Brazilian Association of Electronic Commerce (ABComm) and other entities are already lobbying the government to review the tax burden and avoid an even greater disadvantage compared to South American competitors.
Experts argue that Brazil needs to revise its tax model on technology, which penalizes both the end consumer and innovation in the private sector. One of the proposals being discussed is to expand the scope of the ongoing tax reform to include a reassessment of the tax rates applied to laptops, smartphones, and remote work equipment—especially after the Covid-19 pandemic has solidified remote work.
Argentinian Measure May Pressure South America to Reconsider Technology Access Policies
With validity expected until the end of 2026, the tax exemption in Argentina could serve as an example for other countries in the region.
Chile and Uruguay, for instance, already have partial tax relief policies for technological products. The Argentine initiative, on the other hand, raises the bar by completely eliminating the import tariff on these equipment.
If the strategy has a positive impact on the country’s digitalization and stimulates technological consumption, it could be adopted as a regional model, pressing countries like Brazil to rethink their public policies on connectivity and innovation.
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