Newcomer Bringing Two Laptops to Buenos Aires – Any Issues at Customs?

[Patty Tango]

Hey everyone!

I live in Canada and I'm traveling to Buenos Aires in March. Does anyone know if I can bring two laptops on the plane without any issues? One is mine, and the other is a gift for my niece who lives there. Will I have any trouble with customs at Ezeiza? Would love to hear from anyone with experience. Thanks!

 

[Kiki]

I traveled with three laptops and had no issues. To be on the safe side, make sure your niece’s laptop isn’t in its original packaging and maybe don’t mention it’s a gift. You could say you’re using your trip to organize files between your old and new laptop. Chances are, no one will ask or say anything.

 

[Ron]

You'll be fine, but as others mentioned, make sure the second laptop isn’t in its original packaging. It should look like it's already in use, like your second computer. I entered with two laptops and a tablet just three months ago, and they didn’t ask me anything. Just mentioning that it’s for personal use, like for work or leisure, can usually make things easier. Customs generally doesn't complicate things if everything makes sense. Hope everything goes smoothly for you!

 

[Blockchain]

No issues at all. I had a few when I came down as I use work and personal and no one cared. I saw people with tons and tons of suitcases and stuff and no one seemed to care. My friend told me they used to hassle more before Milei started but now they don't seem to care.

 

[daveholman]

Not to hijack the thread but, what's the deal with bringing a PC with me? I would like to bring a mini-computer, keyboard and mouse, and find a monitor when I get there (the monitor would never survive the trip). It's clearly not a new rig. Will I be okay with that?

 

[Darksider415]

I’ve never had issues, even in the days of Alberto. I would also play the dumb gringo card with my US passport visible going into aduanas and when flying through aeroparque, would get waved around the scanners about half the time.

 

[earlyretirement]

Not to hijack the thread but, what's the deal with bringing a PC with me? I would like to bring a mini-computer, keyboard and mouse, and find a monitor when I get there (the monitor would never survive the trip). It's clearly not a new rig. Will I be okay with that?

You won't have any issues at all. I have a ton of clients that have moved to Argentina and brought a ton of stuff with them.

I’ve never had issues, even in the days of Alberto. I would also play the dumb gringo card with my US passport visible going into aduanas and when flying through aeroparque, would get waved around the scanners about half the time.

Yep. Even in the old days with previous administrations, I would also play the dumb American with US passport out even though I've had a DNI for 23 years. When I moved down to Argentina I had a ton of stuff including 7 huge suitcases full of stuff. And I would go back and forth to the USA all the time and electronics were so expensive in Argentina so I would bring several laptops and stuff with me each time. Only a few times did I get stopped and asked why I had so much stuff and I would say just personal and work computers.

They really are targeting locals trying to resell stuff. @daveholman you won't have any issues bringing all of that stuff down.

 

[Betsy Ross]

Not to hijack the thread but, what's the deal with bringing a PC with me? I would like to bring a mini-computer, keyboard and mouse, and find a monitor when I get there (the monitor would never survive the trip). It's clearly not a new rig. Will I be okay with that?

I brought my big imac when I moved down. I had it packed very well in bubble wrap and I had 2 laptops. Agree with the others that as an American you should not have any problems. I haven't seen anyone have issues in a while. Previously they were targeting locals that were buying things. I would constantly seeing people getting stopped and having to unpack but I haven't witnessed that since Milei took over. Part of me thinks these customs employees were looking for bribes. Now they are probably too scared they will get fired so I think it is less of an issue.

 

[Melibaires]

I totally agree with you. It's been a while since I’ve heard of issues at customs. In the past, there were some cases where customs officials were found to be involved in bribery, especially when they targeted locals importing goods. Many people had to unpack their items, sometimes just to find that there was nothing wrong. It seems like there was a practice of demanding money to allow goods through without further scrutiny.

However, since the new administration, things have changed, and the focus has shifted. I’ve heard fewer stories of problems, and it seems that the authorities are being stricter about corruption. A lot of people think that the customs agents are now more cautious due to the risk of being caught and fired. So, if you're bringing in laptops, as long as they’re packed well and not in new packaging, you should be fine!

 

[Darksider415]

I brought my big imac when I moved down. I had it packed very well in bubble wrap and I had 2 laptops. Agree with the others that as an American you should not have any problems. I haven't seen anyone have issues in a while. Previously they were targeting locals that were buying things. I would constantly seeing people getting stopped and having to unpack but I haven't witnessed that since Milei took over. Part of me thinks these customs employees were looking for bribes. Now they are probably too scared they will get fired so I think it is less of an issue.

The only times my wife or I have been stopped post-Milei were when she was bringing in her pans from Brazil, when they wanted to stop and confirm that there weren't any beans with her cookware, or when we came in from our wedding party with a bunch of candy and sweets that my best friend brought in from the US for us, and even then it was a "Oh, it's packaged stuff, you're good."

 

[Wally]

The only times my wife or I have been stopped post-Milei were when she was bringing in her pans from Brazil, when they wanted to stop and confirm that there weren't any beans with her cookware, or when we came in from our wedding party with a bunch of candy and sweets that my best friend brought in from the US for us, and even then it was a "Oh, it's packaged stuff, you're good."

I have been stopped plenty of times before but they always let me go. It is difficult to get some products here so many times when I come I load up on coffee or other food products but they always just wave me in. Funny about the candy @Darksider415. I also bring in my favorite treats. The last time I had a full suitcase full and one of the customs guys asked me if it was good. I opened the bag and gave him some and he was very happy.

Now with Milei I think the culture is different. I don't see them stopping people even locals anymore. Unless you are being obvious carrying a ton of iphones I am not sure they care anymore.