Gerson-Moving-Services_Gerson-Moving-Services-Portrait.svg
GET A QUOTE

Moving to Argentina from the UK: Visas, Customs and Shipping Your Home

Request a move quote

A Guide to Relocating to Argentina

Argentina draws people from the UK for many reasons: a job in Buenos Aires, a partner’s family, retirement somewhere warmer, or simply the pull of a country with a European feel, a relaxed pace and a much lower cost of living. It is also a long-haul move with a customs process that rewards patience and precise paperwork.

Two things catch UK movers out more than anything else. The first is timing: Argentina’s duty-free allowance for household goods is tied to how long you have been legally resident, so booking your removal too early can cost you money. The second is the X-ray inspection every household container goes through at the port, where anything that does not match your inventory is opened and checked. Both are entirely manageable once you know about them. This guide explains them, and everything else the move involves.

argentina
Landscape with mountain range and lake in Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina, a great place to live in South America

How UK Movers Enter Argentina

British nationals can visit Argentina without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism, provided your UK passport has at least 6 months’ validity remaining. That’s enough time to view properties, meet an employer, or get a feel for a city – but not enough to move on.

For anything beyond a visit, you’ll need one of the following:

  • Work visa: required for employment exceeding 3 months. You’ll need a confirmed job offer, an employer letter confirming at least 1 year of employment, and a clean criminal record check from both the UK and Argentina. A temporary work visa also grants temporary residency.
  • Independent work (rentista) visa: for those with a demonstrable independent income source, rather than local employment.
  • Digital Nomad Visa: for remote workers employed by a company outside Argentina. Requires proof of income and an employment or contract letter, and permits you to live and work in Argentina for up to 6 months, renewable.

Processing for temporary residency typically takes 3–6 months, so this is the first thing to start – not the last. If you’re aiming to move within the next 6 months, the visa application should already be in motion before you book a removal date.

Permanent residency, if that’s the eventual goal, generally requires an existing work or temporary residence visa, a good conduct certificate, proof of funds, and a financial contribution of 1,500,000 Argentine pesos. Permanent residents with Argentine-born relatives may be able to apply before relocating – worth checking with the Argentine consulate in London if this applies to you.

Get a move quote

Argentine Customs: The 6-Month Residency Rule

Argentina’s customs authority (ARCA, which replaced AFIP in late 2024 under Decree 953/2024) lets you import your used household goods free of duty under a transfer of residence allowance. The condition that matters most for your planning is residency: the allowance applies once you have been legally resident in Argentina for at least 6 months from your entry date with a valid visa. The allowance can only be used once every five years per person.

What this means in practice:

  • Belongings that arrive before you qualify may be assessed differently, which can mean duty on items that would otherwise come in free.
  • Your removal date should follow your residency timeline, not the date you would like your furniture. Many people ship a small amount by air for the first months and send the main household by sea once the timing works.
  • The goods must be used personal effects. Items owned and used for at least six months qualify; new or recently bought items (roughly the last six months) may be assessed separately for duty.

Your move manager works through the timing with you at the start, so the booking date is set around your residency, not the other way round.

Get a move quote
Aerial view of the Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada in the background in Buenos Aires, Argentina

The documents Argentine customs needs

  • A copy of your passport photo page
  • Your visa or residency approval (or application reference)
  • An Argentine tax identification number (CUIT, CUIL or CDI)
  • A detailed inventory, itemised and valued, in Spanish
  • A separate alcohol inventory, if you are shipping any
  • The personal-effects customs declaration (form OM-2126A, or its current equivalent under ARCA — your customs agent will have the correct version)
  • The original Bill of Lading (the shipping line’s receipt and document of title for your belongings) for sea freight, or Air Waybill for air

The declaration is submitted by our in-country customs agent, the Argentine partner in the move, on your behalf. You will also need to be in Argentina while your belongings clear customs. Your move manager builds the documentation pack with you before anything leaves the UK; an incomplete inventory is the most common cause of delay at the Argentine end.

Get a move quote

The Mandatory X-Ray Inspection at Port

Every containerised household move entering Argentina is X-rayed at the port, usually Puerto Madero or Puerto Nuevo in Buenos Aires. This is standard Argentine customs procedure, carried out by customs, not by the removal company, and it is not a sign that anything is wrong.

Where the X-ray image does not clearly match your inventory, customs opens the relevant boxes for a physical inspection. That adds 1 to 2 weeks and port costs. The most common trigger is audio-visual and electronic equipment (televisions, speakers, computers, games consoles), because each item needs to be matched to the image.

How to keep the inspection short:

  1. List every electronic item individually, with make, model and approximate age.
  2. Make sure the inventory matches what is physically in each box. Items that are not listed are the ones that get opened.
  3. Declare anything you are unsure about. A declared item that attracts duty is a small cost; an undeclared one can hold up everything else.
Get a move quote

Planning a Move to Argentina?

Your move manager will set your removal date around your residency timeline and build the itemised inventory with you, so customs and the X-ray inspection go as quickly as they can. You get a realistic timeline and a survey-based price in the first conversation.

Get a move quote
Gerson Moving Services Packing Boxes

How Your Belongings Travel from the UK to Argentina

Sea freight is the standard method. Your belongings leave from Tilbury or Felixstowe and arrive in Buenos Aires.

Groupage (shared container): your belongings share a container with other customers’ moves. The most cost-effective option for smaller households. Full container load (FCL): a 20ft or 40ft container used only for your move and sealed for the journey. Usually the better choice for a three-bedroom home or larger.

Cost ranges (2026 estimates):

Home sizeMethodApproximate cost
1-bedroomGroupagefrom £2,500
2-bedroomGroupagefrom £3,500 to £4,500
3-bedroomFull containerfrom £5,000 to £7,000

These are estimates. Your final price depends on the volume, your UK and Argentine addresses, the insurance value, and any destination charges. Your move manager gives you a survey-based quote.

Timings, stage by stage:

StageTypical time
UK collection to loading1 to 2 weeks
Sea voyage, port to port17 to 25 days
Argentine customs clearance, including the X-ray4 to 8 weeks
Port to delivery in Buenos Aires3 to 7 days
Total, collection to deliveryGroupage: 16 to 20 weeks. FCL: 14 to 18 weeks.

Customs clearance is the longest and least predictable stage. A physical inspection or missing paperwork can add a further 1 to 4 weeks. If you need some things quickly (work clothes, children’s belongings, a laptop), send a small consignment by air; see sea freight vs air freight.

Get a quote
A large container ship is docked in the water
Rear View Of Woman Standing At Balcony Against Cityscape During Sunset in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Port Arrival and Getting Your Belongings to Your Address

UK moves to Argentina arrive at Buenos Aires, usually at Puerto Madero or Puerto Nuevo. Once customs has cleared your belongings, our in-country partner arranges delivery to your address.

  • Buenos Aires city and province: delivery usually follows within 3 to 7 days of customs release.
  • Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario and other destinations: allow around 1 to 3 weeks after customs release for onward transport and delivery. The exact time depends on the destination, transport schedules and local delivery arrangements.

Your move manager will keep you updated as your belongings arrive, go through inspection and customs clearance, and are scheduled for final delivery.

Many Buenos Aires homes are apartments. Check your building’s rules on delivery times and the size of the lift before your delivery date, and send the details to your move manager so the local crew can plan access.

Our guide about what happens on delivery day explains what to check.

Get a move quote

Living in Argentina: A Brief Orientation

Argentina has a strong European heritage, particularly Italian and Spanish, and it shows in the food, the architecture and the pace of life. Meals are late and long, football and the asado (the Argentine barbecue) are close to a national religion, and family life is central.

Cost of living: Argentina is generally much more affordable than the UK, although Buenos Aires costs noticeably more than the rest of the country. Rent for a one-bedroom flat in central Buenos Aires is roughly £575 a month, and around £390 outside the centre (October 2026 figures; Argentine prices move with inflation and the exchange rate, so treat these as a planning guide).

Money: the exchange rate and inflation have been volatile for years. Many expats keep income or savings in sterling or US dollars and move money in as needed. Take specialist advice before you move a large sum.

Where people live: Buenos Aires for work, culture and international schools; Córdoba for a university city at a lower cost; Mendoza for wine country and the Andes; and the lakes and mountains of Patagonia for a quieter life. Our guide to the best cities in Argentina for UK expats compares them.

Alongside the removal: Gerson Moving Services can also help with currency exchange, home and school search, visa and immigration support, area orientation, temporary accommodation, storage and language training, all coordinated by your move manager.

Get a move quote
Aerial view of the Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada in the background in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Which countries have mandatory health insurance
Moving your finances overseas
International currency on a money transfer app
Business man calculate and analyzing graph document financial with laptop

Additional Services for your move to Argentina

If you’re moving to Argentina, it’s very likely you’ll need to exchange a significant amount of currency. Many people lose out by using their bank, assuming it’s the only option. However, there are specialist currency exchange providers that offer more competitive rates and can help you save thousands. To find out how to make your money go further during your move, speak to one of our move managers, click here, or give us a call: +44 20 7097 5335.

FIND OUT MORE

Get Move Liability Cover for your international removal to Argentina

We always advise taking out move protection liability cover with us on every move. Although we like to think we’re the best in the industry, the odd accident can occasionally happen. For added peace of mind, make sure to speak to one of our move managers about this.

Download Liability Cover Form

Discover Our GMS Xtra Value Services

Gerson Moving Services goes beyond standard removals, offering a full range of relocation solutions to make your move seamless. Our value-added services include international currency transfer, home and school search, visa and immigration support, health insurance, container tracking, car purchase and leasing, and temporary accommodation. We also provide expert packing, secure storage, customs clearance, and pet relocation, ensuring a smooth transition whether you’re moving locally or internationally. With our end-to-end relocation management, you can trust Gerson for a stress-free, efficient move.

Home
Search

Learn more⟶

School
Search

Learn more⟶

Visa &
Immigration

Learn more⟶

Baggage
Shipping

Learn more⟶

Home
Storage

Learn more⟶

Temporary
Living

Learn more⟶

Furniture
Rental

Learn more⟶

Pet
Moving

Learn more⟶

Language
Training

Learn more⟶

Currency
Exchange

Learn more⟶

Cultural
Training

Learn more⟶

Area
Orientation

Learn more⟶

Settling In
Services

Learn more⟶

PArtner
Support

Learn more⟶

Container
Tracking

Learn more⟶

Moving Your Car or Motorcycle to Argentina

Shipping a UK car to Argentina is legally possible but rarely worth it.

  • Import duty is about 35% of the vehicle’s declared customs value. A car valued at £15,000 would attract roughly £5,250 in duty before registration costs.
  • Argentina drives on the right. Right-hand-drive cars are unusual there, which makes them harder to live with and to sell.
  • Registration requires a roadworthiness inspection (the VTV, Verificación Técnica Vehicular) before the car can be registered locally.
  • Vehicle transport is arranged separately from your household removal.
  • Motorcycles attract the same duty structure.

Unless the vehicle has real sentimental or collector value, most people sell before leaving the UK and buy locally.

Get a move quote
motorbike-crating for shipment

Relocating Your Pets to Argentina

Cats and dogs can travel from the UK to Argentina without quarantine if the paperwork is complete:

  • Microchip: ISO-standard, 15-digit.
  • Rabies vaccination: current; if it is a new vaccination, allow at least 30 days before travel.
  • Health certificate: issued by an Official Veterinarian through APHA (the Animal and Plant Health Agency) within 10 days before travel.
  • Internal parasite treatment: 1 to 5 days before travel.
  • Import permit: from SENASA, Argentina’s agricultural health authority.

Allow 6 to 8 weeks from start to finish for the certificate and permit process. Pets travel separately from your household goods, usually by air with a specialist pet relocation company; your move manager can refer you to one.

Get a move quote
Dogs traveling by airplane. Boxes with live animals at the airport

What You Can and Can't Ship to Argentina

Generally permitted

Used household effects, furniture, clothing, books, electronics (each declared individually), musical instruments, artwork, kitchen equipment, sports equipment and bicycles.

Restricted: needs a declaration, permit or duty

  • Firearms and ammunition: need an Argentine import permit (and a UK export licence).
  • Medication: personal quantities only, with the prescription.
  • Audio-visual equipment: allowed, but each item must be listed with make and model (see the X-ray section).
  • Alcohol: strictly regulated; expect duty beyond a modest personal amount, and list it on the separate alcohol inventory.
  • New or recently bought items: may be assessed for duty separately from your used belongings.

Prohibited

  • Narcotics and controlled substances
  • Counterfeit goods
  • Agricultural products, soil, seeds and plant material (clean all garden tools, bikes and outdoor furniture)
  • Material that customs considers politically, socially or religiously sensitive (at customs’ discretion)
The practical rule: if you are not sure whether something is allowed, declare it and ask your move manager. Our guide to what you can’t ship when moving abroad explains the general logic.
Get a move quote

Frequently Asked Questions

You can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, but to live there you need temporary residency. The main routes are salaried work, independent income (rentista), the digital nomad visa and family routes. Processing usually takes 3 to 6 months, so start before you book your removal.

Used personal effects are generally imported duty-free under Argentina’s Transfer of Residence relief, provided you’ve owned and used the items for at least 6 months and can demonstrate prior UK residency. You also need to have been legally resident in Argentina for at least 6 months for full relief to apply, so the timing of your shipment relative to your residency start date matters. New items, or anything bought shortly before the move, may be assessed for duty separately.

The sea voyage takes about 17 to 25 days port to port, but customs clearance in Buenos Aires, including the mandatory X-ray, usually takes 4 to 8 weeks and is the longest stage. Allow 14 to 20 weeks from collection to delivery (FCL: 14 to 18 weeks; groupage: 16 to 20 weeks), and longer outside Buenos Aires.

Yes, every containerised household move is X-rayed at the port. Items that cannot be matched to your inventory are opened and inspected, which adds 1 to 2 weeks. A detailed inventory that lists every electronic item by make and model is the best way to avoid that.

As a guide, groupage starts from about £2,500 for a one-bedroom home and £3,500 to £4,500 for two bedrooms; a full container for a three-bedroom home is from about £5,000 to £7,000. The exact price depends on volume and addresses, and your move manager confirms it after a survey.

You can, but import duty of around 35% of the car’s value, plus inspection and registration costs, makes it uneconomical for most people. Argentina drives on the right, so a UK right-hand-drive car is also harder to use and sell.

An ISO microchip, a current rabies vaccination, an Official Veterinarian health certificate issued through APHA within 10 days of travel, parasite treatment 1 to 5 days before travel, and a SENASA import permit. There is no quarantine if everything is in order; allow 6 to 8 weeks for the paperwork.

See Also

Thinking about the move? Your move manager can set a removal date that fits your residency timeline, give you a survey-based price, and explain exactly what Argentine customs will need, in the first conversation. Set up a call and get your customised quotation.

Trusted Global Moving Services –
Why Choose Us?

Real feedback from people who chose our international moving company.

Couldn't Fault It

Rated 5 out of 5

“Moving to Argentina was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we wanted everything to go smoothly. The team took care of every detail, kept us informed throughout, and made the whole experience far less daunting than we expected. We arrived ready to enjoy our new adventure.”

Excellent Coordination

Rated 5 out of 5

“What really impressed us was how well everything was coordinated. From collection in the UK to delivery in Argentina, every stage happened when it was supposed to. It was reassuring to have such an experienced team managing the move.”

Peace of Mind

Rated 5 out of 5

“International moves always come with a few worries, but ours to Argentina couldn’t have gone more smoothly. The packing was excellent, communication was prompt, and our belongings arrived in fantastic condition. We’d happily recommend the service to anyone planning a move overseas.”