Buenos Aires Travel Forum

Is it possible to buy a vehicle and get it licenced if I am an American citizen? I am looking to travel Argentina for six months or so and renting a car is way too expensive and the public transit won;t get me to the places I want.

Oh my are you in for some fun. Be sure and obtain an Internatinal Driving License valid for at least one year prior to arrival in Argentina. As for being able to purchase a car....well

First of all you will need to establish a "residence" in Argentina. One of the first things you will want to do after your jet lag subsides is to start working on obtaining your clave de identificacion (CDI), equivalent to a social security number. You get your CDI from your local AFIP office (Argentina's version of the IRS). You will need to follow these are the steps that must be undertaken.
1. Police Station: You need to get a Certificado de Domicilio (Address Certificate) from the local Federal Police station that governs the neighborhood where you are staying which could be a hotel, short term rental, or even a friends residence. The cost for this in the Capital is usually ten pesos. Within 24-48 hours they will visit your residence to have you sign the certificate and give it to you. You will need to be at the residence to sign for the certification.

2. AFIP: Once you have your certificado de domicilio, you must go to the AFIP office that corresponds to your area. To find the correct office visit the AFIP Website at www.afip.gov.ar/servicios_y_consultas/consultas_en_linea/datos_de_dependencias/
agencias/agencias_main.asp and in the calle/localidad box enter the name of the street where you are staying. (Tip: If you do not find it, write the four or five first letters of the street), press
confirmar. A new page will pop up with the agency listings. Click on the agency that corresponds to your address and another window will open with the street address.
You’ll need the following documents to take to AFIP:
- Two photocopies of the first pages of your passport
- Original passport
- Formulario CDI - 2 copies (can be obtained at AFIP)
- Certificado de Domicilio

3. Get to the office as early as possible. Some offices are so busy that people wait in line outside waiting for the office to open. As soon as the doors open or as soon as you go inside take a number from the mesa de entradas. While you’re waiting for your number to be called, fill out the Formulario CDI forms. Listen carefully for your number. Once your number is called, proceed to the desk, hand the forms and passport copies to the representative, as well as your original passport. If everything goes smoothly and you have all documentation, plus a correctly filled out form, then you should receive your CDI number at that time. They will write your CDI number on one form, stamp it, and then return it to you to keep; they will keep the other copy for their records.

Now you are ready to buy the car, but be prepared to PAY CASH. And getting that much cash into the country can be a problem. You are unable to pay by credit card at the dealership for the purchase of a vehicle since the dealerships are only allowed (legally) to accept nominal monies. They cannot accept anything over $1000 pesos, which is what is given as a down payment to reserve the vehicle. The rest of the money is to be directly deposited into the dealership's corporate bank account. As a couple you can only wire in $5000 USD each per month. And most banks will only allow you to deposit $5000 USD each per month.

Now you can hand carry money (cash) with you and hope that an Argentine customs man does not discover your stash and call "some friends" to assist you.

As you can see purchasing a car maybe more effort than you willing to deal with.

Hope this at least assists you a bit with your plans, I could go on but will stop now.

suerte
SAM

Thank you for your information. I figured it was going to be difficult but Im not sure I have a choice. I will be there for up to a year traveling the country in search of different and isolated fishing spots. If you have any ideas on an easier way to do this I would appreciate the info.
Thanks again!!!

Afraid that what I posted was the EASY way :)))

suerte
SAM

Well I figured that...I am sure the trouble will be worth it. Thanks for your help!!

Please write to Virtual Tourist about your experiences. Better yet, keep a diary, so that you write a book. I can´t wait to see the movie.