While global trade is moving towards smart, automated, and predictive customs, Argentina still often grapples with problems from another era: physical files, excessive manual controls, operational delays, documentary redundancies, and a logic where the operator often feels more like a suspect than a strategic partner of the system.
ARCA's recent resolution on guarantees simplifies procedures and is a step in the right direction. Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to work as a consultant for Ecuadorian Customs through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). At that time, Ecuador's customs administration was comparable to those of neighboring countries like Peru and Colombia, and I observed much more modern and logical processes and procedures than those then in place in Argentina.
One of the aspects that most caught my attention was that Colombia applied the exemption from guarantees in certain cases. This implied a reduction in costs, less bureaucracy, and greater efficiency in management. After all, a company with 70 years of history in the country is unlikely to leave Argentina over a $20.000 tax debt. It took ten years for Argentina to adopt a similar system.
The logical reasoning would be: what other simple modifications should be implemented now, without waiting another ten years, considering their impact on the competitiveness of our companies? And, above all, why are changes progressing so slowly when our neighboring countries manage to implement them more quickly?
Because the world has already made a decision. Modern customs agencies stopped measuring their success years ago solely by the number of inspections carried out or the volume of cases processed. Today, they compete on speed, traceability, risk management capabilities, intelligent use of data, and the ability to attract investment. Furthermore, they have increasingly sophisticated technological tools at their disposal, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and so on.
International indicators also paint a negative picture for Argentina. The World Bank's Logistics Performance Index places the country in the lower tier of the rankings.
Countries like Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia understood a fundamental issue long ago: every hour lost at a border means a loss of competitiveness. In the region, Chile and Peru have also made progress in that direction.
In the 21st century, competitiveness no longer depends solely on exchange rates or labor costs. It is also determined by the ability to move goods quickly, predictably, and efficiently. In other words, it depends on how long it takes for goods to cross a border.
The customs office of the future already exists.
The World Customs Organization has been promoting the concept of Smart Customs (Smart Customs): customs administrations supported by artificial intelligence, big data, predictive analytics and advanced risk management systems.
The world's most efficient customs systems are characterized not by inspecting more, but by inspecting better. Their goal is to concentrate controls where there is real risk and facilitate the flow of legitimate goods.
How do they do it?
- Advance shipping information.
- International cross-referencing of data.
- Dynamic operator scoring.
- Artificial intelligence applied to risk.
- Automatic release for trusted operators.
- Complete cargo traceability.
Argentine Customs has the IC02 regime, an advance import clearance procedure that aligns with both the provisions of the Customs Code—formerly DAP—and the latest trends in trade facilitation. However, its application remains limited and concentrated in exceptional cases, such as certain flower shipments transported by air.
In many countries, however, customs processes are increasingly relying on advance information and risk management, allowing goods to be released even before reaching the port or airport of destination.
Meanwhile, in Argentina, the following problems still persist:
● redundant controls,
● excess red channel,
● sequential validations,
● excessive human intervention,
● operational discretion,
● and logistical times incompatible with modern global trade.
● Risk analysis only when the merchandise arrives.
It's often believed that Argentina's problem lies with its computer system. And while the Malvina Computer System needs a profound modernization, the real leap forward is toward digitization. However, it's also a cultural issue: the historical logic has been: "every operator is potentially suspect."
Leading customs authorities changed the paradigm: “the reliable operator must operate quickly.”
This is where one of the most important instruments of modern international trade comes in: the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). In the most advanced economies, AEO companies are practically exempt from systematic inspections. They receive operational priority, fewer controls, and much faster releases. And they are not guaranteed. They should also have easy access to the Factory Customs regime, if they so request.
Because intelligent control isn't about controlling everyone equally. It's about concentrating resources where there is real risk.
Argentina has made progress with the AEO program, but is still far from turning it into a truly massive tool for competitiveness for its companies.
Where is there a delay?
Paperless customs, one-stop shop, pre-risk analysis, transit and exportA major change that remains is to build a true “Single Window”.
Not a partially digitized window.
A truly integrated platform where:
● the operator loads information only once;
● all organisms interact automatically;
● there are no duplications; and
● foreign trade operates in a paperless manner.
Paperless customs is the SITA system—a great tool—though it's also culturally significant. With AI, I can provide accurate, automatic, and better responses.
Another issue is facilitating exports. From the waivers that must be managed to export to Cuba —in some cases linked to regulations from more than 60 years ago— up to the obligation to prepare a formal shipping permit, with tariff position and declaration in the SIM, to export goods for just 200 dollars.
Argentina's big problem: hypercentralization
Another structural challenge is the concentration of logistics in Buenos Aires.
The Argentine interior continues to suffer:
● higher costs,
● more time,
● duplication of controls,
● and operational restrictions.
A modern customs system should strengthen inland customs offices (Cordoba, Rosario,
Mendoza, Neuquén); by means of:
●Intelligent transit,
● electronic seals,
● remote scanners,
● moving controls,
● and satellite traceability.
The modern border is no longer conceived as a fixed physical point. It is conceived as an intelligent control network.
The real customs reform
The reform that Argentina needs is not just about changing rules. It's about
redefine the role of Customs.
Because a modern customs office does not only combat illegal activities.
TambiГ © n:
● attracts investment;
● improves exports;
● reduces logistics costs;
● accelerates production chains; and
● improves the country's competitiveness.
That's the real debate. It's not about choosing between control and facilitation.
The world's major customs agencies have demonstrated that they can do both things simultaneously. And the tools to do so exist. A customs agency that doesn't use artificial intelligence (AI) or Big Data is stuck in the past.
And that's where the big difference between a 20th-century border and a smart 21st-century border comes in. Intensive work is underway on a new Customs Code that will offer a different perspective.
The question, then, is no longer technical. The agreement with the European Union has already begun, and one with the United States could be finalized soon. We've started competing in the big leagues.
The question is political and strategic:
Does Argentina want to continue managing trade or does it want to compete globally?
The author is a Specialist in International Trade and holds a Master's degree in Tax Administration and Public Finance, with a solid academic background and extensive experience in foreign trade and customs policies. He teaches at the National University of Córdoba (UNC) and the Catholic University of Córdoba (UCC), where he lectures on courses related to international trade and trade facilitation. He is also an accredited expert of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and a specialist in trade facilitation.
