Everything an Argentine company needs to know to import from China without costly mistakes: suppliers, customs, Incoterms, freight, quality and costs.
Updated July 2026 · Estimated read: 9 minutes
Importing from China is the most competitive way to supply an Argentine company: the widest variety of products in the world, at factory prices. But between the supplier's catalog and your warehouse lies a journey of language, distance, quality control and customs paperwork that, if mismanaged, eats your margin. This guide summarizes the full process, step by step, for 2026.
Every good has a tariff position within the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM): a code that determines import duties, VAT, fees and any mandatory interventions or certifications. Getting the NCM right from the start is key: it defines how much tax you pay and whether the product needs special permits.
The biggest risk of buying in China at a distance is the supplier. Distinguish between factories and trading companies. Before wiring a single dollar: verify the company exists and has an export license, request physical samples, check certifications and references, and be wary of prices far below market. A sourcing agent with a physical presence in China can visit the factory and drastically reduce uncertainty.
Incoterms define who is responsible for what on each leg. The most common when importing from China are EXW, FOB (the most usual) and CIF. Also define payment terms (usually a deposit and the balance against shipping documents).
A pre-shipment inspection verifies quantities, specifications, function and packaging. This is one of the biggest advantages of working with a partner present in China: if the batch doesn't comply, it doesn't ship.
Transport can be sea (cheapest for volume) or air (fast but expensive). By sea you have FCL (full container) or LCL (consolidated). Always take out international insurance on the goods.
In Argentina it is mandatory to work with a licensed customs broker. The broker handles NCM classification and valuation, calculation and payment of duties, fees and VAT, documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, transport document) and cargo release.
The most common mistake is looking only at the FOB price. The landed cost at your warehouse includes: product (FOB) + management fee, international freight + insurance, import duties + statistical fee + VAT + advances, broker fees and port charges, and inland transport. Only then do you know your real unit cost. Request a quote and we deliver that calculation closed within our proposal.
Longfeng handles the entire process in this guide: supplier, quality, logistics and customs. You receive the goods at your warehouse.
Request a free quoteBy sea, transit usually takes 35-55 days, plus factory production and customs clearance. By air, a few days at a much higher cost. In total, from order to delivery, usually 60-90 days.
Yes. In Argentina it is mandatory to work with a licensed customs broker to formalize import declarations and manage clearance before Customs.
It is the code within the Mercosur Common Nomenclature that classifies each product and determines duties, taxes and any interventions or certifications required.
Yes. You must be registered as an importer and have a customs broker. Many SMBs outsource the entire operation to a partner like Longfeng.
This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute customs, legal or tax advice. Verify current requirements with your customs broker or contact us.
