Next Friday there will be a new edition of Black Friday, a day of special discounts designed to promote purchases prior to Christmas and the end of the year, although local companies promise various offers, the truth is that from the lowering of tariffs for imports along with free shipping to Argentina offered by the North American platform Amazon, the perfect combo was created for Argentine buyers looking to save more than 50% compared to local values.
First of all, it must be taken into account that although the Government promised that on December 1 the regulations that establish that for purchases abroad, the first US$400 of each shipment will be exempt from tariffs and the statistical rate, being only subject to the payment of Value Added Tax (VAT) of 21%, The reality is that these taxes are only paid when the product arrives in the country, so in the case of buying something with shipping within 10/15 days, they could be included in the benefit.
Another fundamental issue that the Amazon e-commerce platform currently offers, like so many others of its kind, are the so-called pre-Black Friday offers, which are something like the prelude to next Friday, but designed to encourage consumption on the days previews with more than attractive discounts.
On the other hand – and it is not a minor issue – In the case of technology and small appliances, buyers must be attentive to the type of voltage of the devices, in the United States it is 110 V and in Argentina it is 220. It is not a general problem because many devices come with dual voltage and if it is 100V you can buy a separate transformer.
Another common query among local buyers, the payment method. In general terms, the ideal is to buy the MEP dollar in the market and then pay with those same bills at the bank. The operation claims to buy the dollar at the cheaper market price than in the blue. Below are just some examples. The Smeg toaster for two pieces of toast, with a retro aesthetic that can also be practically considered a decorative object, in Argentina, on the brand’s official website, has a value of $342,799.
Meanwhile on Amazon, the same product has a price of US$179 and free shipping, due to its value it falls within the lower tariffs so it would be paid as an additional US$37.59 for the 21% VAT, which which totals US$216.59 for the product, that is, $238,249 – taking the MEP dollar at $1,100 as a reference.
Regarding the official website in Argentina, the Smeg toaster on Amazon is 30.5% cheaper. But if the comparison is with Mercado Libre resellers who in practice bring the product from abroad, the difference is 52.3%, since in the market place in Argentina it is quoted around $500,000.
Another tempting offer is that of the Oster 4-liter air fryer with window and light to see the cooking of food, which on its official website in Argentina has a price of $239,999, while on Amazon it has free shipping at a special offer price of $79 to which 21% VAT would have to be added, that is, US$16.59, so the final product is priced at US$95.59 or $105,149 taking the MEP dollar. Thus, the price on the United States website is 56% cheaper.
The exercise is very similar for the Oster Prima Latte coffee maker, which on its local website is listed at $417,999 and on Amazon, a practically identical model, has a promotional price of $149. for pre-Black Friday and free shipping, so you only have to add 21 VAT, which translates into about US$31.20, so the appliance would arrive in Argentina at a final value of US$180.29 or $198,319. that is, 52.5% cheaper than in the Argentine market.
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On the other hand, a basic robot vacuum cleaner in Argentina costs around $240,000, on Amazon a similar product, with Wi-Fi, is priced at $99, adding VAT the final value to pay would be $119.79, that is, about $131,769. , that is, more than 45% cheaper than locally.
Source: Ambito
