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Measure Is Part of President Javier Milei’s Reform Agenda and Provides for Total Cuts on Cell Phone Tariffs by January 2026, with Direct Impact on Consumer Prices.
The Argentine government led by Javier Milei announced this Tuesday (13) the gradual elimination of import tariffs on cell phones.
The measure, according to presidential spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, is part of a strategy to reduce the tax burden and align local prices with those practiced in other countries.
The decision is part of the reform package promised by President Javier Milei at the beginning of his administration.
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The change will be implemented in two phases, with a direct impact on consumers and the electronics trade in the country.
Reduction in Two Phases
According to Adorni, the first phase of the plan will immediately reduce the import tariff on cell phones from 16% to 8%. The decree with the new rule is expected to be published by the end of the week.
In the second phase, scheduled for January 15, 2026, the taxes will be eliminated. “Today, a 5G technology cell phone in Argentina costs double what it does in Brazil and the United States,” said the spokesperson during an interview at the Casa Rosada.
Adorni stated that the current situation is so unfavorable that many Argentines prefer to travel to other countries just to buy cell phones. “It is such a ridiculous situation that there were people who would pay for a plane and hotel just to buy something as basic as a cell phone in another country. And even then, it was cheaper than buying it in Argentina,” he declared.
International Price Comparison
During the announcement, Adorni presented data on the cost of high-end cell phones in different cities.
In Argentina, the average price quoted was US$ 2,566. In other places, prices are much lower: Madrid (US$ 1,260), Santiago (US$ 1,147), London (US$ 1,143), and New York (US$ 1,011).
In addition to cell phones, the government also intends to reduce internal taxes on imported TVs and air conditioning units. The current rate of 19% will be halved to 9.5%.
Products manufactured in the Tierra del Fuego region will also benefit from total tax exemption, according to the spokesperson.
Measures Also Include Consoles
Another point of the announcement was the reduction of import taxes on video game consoles, which will drop from 35% to 20%. The goal, according to the government, is to expand access to electronic products and reduce the final cost to consumers.
With all these changes, thegovernment expects a decrease of at least 30% in the prices of imported electronics in the country.
Adorni believes this should also help reduce smuggling and theft of cell phones.
During the one-year government review, President Javier Milei reaffirmed the commitment to deep reforms in Argentina. Among them, he cited changes in the tax system, labor laws, social security, and the penal code.
“As promised by President Javier Milei at the beginning of his government, as the fiscal surplus consolidates, we will continue to lower taxes,” Adorni stated.
The Argentine government continues with its deregulation agenda, promising to transform the country’s economic structure in the coming years.
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