The Federal Administration of Public Revenues (AFIP), through General Resolution 5166/2022 published today in the Official Gazette, announced that, from now on, the procedures for importing cell phones will be simplified.
As he referred the organismimported cellular devices and those that are assembled in the country will no longer require a customs stamp, which means savings for importers, as reported by the AFIP.
This, since, from now on, the AFIP will accept for customs control the code called “international mobile equipment identity” (IMEI for its acronym in English), which allows to identify each device.
The IMEI is a 15-digit code installed in the cell phone by the manufacturer, through which any cell phone in the world can be recognized, since each number is unique; It also refers to other characteristics of the equipment.
Among them, the brand and model of the device, in accordance with the standard established by the GSM Association (GSMA, for its acronym in English), which brings together mobile operators from around the world.
This code is printed under the cell phone battery, as well as on the equipment and its respective case, so the IMEI will serve to replace the customs stamps that were used until now.
Why the AFIP eliminated the customs stamp
In addition to facilitating import operations, the agency made this decision in order to reduce costs for importers.
Likewise, “this instrument allows Customs to obtain information in real time from cell phones and their associated documentation,” according to the entity.
Also, the change will help “optimize risk analysis and selective controls, to protect the legal possession of imported products and know their traceability.”
The implementation of the code in turn allows the agency to be at the forefront of the “worldwide standards of merchandise identification”.
