New tariff barriers on textile & garment imports

14 Nov '08

2 min read

Argentinean government has recently implemented several tariff and non-tariff measures in an effort to further protect domestic producers from foreign competition and reduce negative trade-related effects of the global financial crisis.

These measures, are in addition to several restrictions imposed by Argentina since 2007, which included the renewal of minimum specific import duties through 2010, new safety and documentation requirements for various products, stepped-up customs controls and a tightening of the requirements for submitting non-automatic import licences.

Among the barriers are the incerase in duties for Textile and Apparel Imports. The increase in the Most Favoured Status (MFN) duty rate for fabric, apparel, textile made-ups and footwear that was agreed by the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) some time ago and implemented by Brazil in September 2007 has now been implemented.

Specifically, the MFN duty rate for apparel, carpets, footwear (excluding footwear parts) and textile made-ups classified under HS Chapter 63 has been increased from 20 percent to 35 percent while the rate for virtually all fabrics has been raised from 18 percent to 26 percent, however duty on aramid fabrics will remain constant at two percent.

Non-Automatic Import Licensing Requirements for Certain Apparel and Household Goods. The Ministry of Economy and Production has amended, effective from 12 November, the non-automatic licensing requirements for certain apparel by adding the following tariff items to the list of covered products,

6103.42.00, 6103.43.00, 6105.10.00, 6105.20.00, 6105.90.00, 6107.11.00, 6107.12.00, 6107.91.00, 6108.31.00, 6108.32.00, 6108.92.00, 6109.10.00, 6109.90.00, 6111.20.00 & 6111.30.00 (both except sweaters), 6112.41.00, 6115.10.14, 6115.29.20, 6115.95.00, 6115.96.00, 6203.11.00, 6203.12.00, 6203.19.00, 6203.22.00, 6203.23.00, 6203.29.10, 6203.29.90, 6203.31.00, 6203.32.00, 6203.33.00, 6203.39.00, 6203.42.00 and 6204.62.00.

These apparel products were already subject to non-automatic licensing requirements:

6110.11.00, 6110.12.00, 6110.20.00, 6110.30.00, 6110.90.00. Under these 6111.10.00, 6111.20.00, 6111.30.00 and 6111.90.00 only sweaters.

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