Market guide · Latin America
Selling in Argentina
Mercado Pago is a household name in Argentina and instalments on cards are a standard expectation. Exchange controls and inflation make pricing in local currency a moving target.
| Currency | Argentine peso (ARS) |
|---|---|
| Languages | Spanish |
| Region | Latin America |
| Local acquiring | Cross-border for now |
| Settlement | T+3 |
| Payout rail | Transferencias inmediatas · Seconds |
| Import consumption tax | VAT (IVA) · 21% |
Popular payment methods
Share of online payments by method. Illustrative figures.
| Visa, Mastercard, Amex | 50% (50% of online payments) |
|---|---|
| Mercado Pago | 38% (38% of online payments) |
| PayPal | 3% (3% of online payments) |
How to launch in Argentina
- 1Open a sandbox accountTest every flow for Argentina with test cards and methods before you sign anything.
- 2Turn on local methodsStart with Mercado Pago, PayPal.
- 3Process cross-borderWe process Argentina cross-border today. Smart routing still retries soft declines.
- 4Settle in your home currencyPayments convert at a published margin before settlement.
- 5Show duty-inclusive pricesQuote VAT (IVA) and duties at checkout so nothing is due on delivery.
- 6Go liveVerify your business, switch your keys and watch the first orders arrive.
Duties and import tax
VAT (IVA) at 21% applies to most imported goods.
Thresholds: Courier regime for small parcels with duty-free allowances
Regulatory notes
- Foreign exchange rules have changed often, so cross-border settlement terms should be reviewed regularly.
- Additional taxes and perceptions can apply to purchases paid in foreign currency.
Placeholder notes for the prototype, not legal advice.
Customer story nearby
Basalt Marketplace
Marketplaces
T+1
seller payouts on local rails · Illustrative
Sellers in Brazil and Mexico get paid in their own currency the next day. Onboarding takes minutes.
Lucas Ferreira, Co-founder & CTO Read the story: Basalt Marketplace