Lowered iPhone costs in Argentina: Estimated reductions following government declarations on tax exemptions for smartphones
No-Holds-Barred Take on Mobile Phone Tariff Elimination
Listen up, folks! The government's got some juicy news for you tech enthusiasts. Brace yourselves for the end of cell phone tariffs. That's right, you heard it here first. Manuel Adorni, the presidential spokesperson, broke the news in a press conference.
This monumental move is set to be sealed in a decree, hopefully by the end of the week, between Thursday or Friday. Here's the lowdown: the current 16% tariff on cell phones will disappear, zeroed out altogether. But flip a coin to find out when, because this reduction to an 8% tariff kicks off the moment the decree drops, while the grand finale, a drop to 0%, doesn't happen until January 15, 2026.
The government has high hopes for this policy shift. Pretty soon, you'll see increased competition among manufacturers and importers, and in turn, lower prices for mobile phones in the local market, which, let's be honest, has been on quite a pricey streak, skyrocketing above the average inflation rate.
But what's the catch? Companies importing phones expect the immediate impact to be minimal, with the reduction benefits beginning to show up only in phones arriving after the decree's publication. And there's more good news on the horizon too. Internal Taxes for these goods will plummet from 19.5% to 9.5%.
Wondering how much lighter your wallet will be after the change? MacStation, one of Argentina's top Apple distributors, breaks it down. For an iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB), prices will drop from the current $2,630,000 to $2,288,100 once the 8% tariff kicks in, and by $1,727,823 from January 15, 2026, with the 0% tariff in place. That's a whopping 19% savings, end to end!
Excited? So are we! But industry experts aren't celebrating just yet. They're urging the government to take things one step further, extending these savings to laptops as well. And with January's price reductions still on the horizon, there's plenty to look forward to!
Still curious about tariffs, taxes, and imports? Check out the latest news on cell phones, smartphones, taxes, imports, and more, right here.
Enrichment Data:- Argentina's iPhone prices are set for a significant drop with the tariff elimination on cell phones that will lower import costs, making tech more affordable for locals.- This move follows the U.S. administration eliminating tariffs on cell phones from April 5, 2025, positioning Argentina to enjoy similar benefits.- Historically, tariffs on imported electronics, such as iPhones, were intended to protect domestic industries or rectify trade imbalances. However, many countries, including Argentina, have rescinded these tariffs recently.- Compared to other countries like the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, Argentina previously faced significantly higher iPhone prices due to the tariffs. With the tariff elimination, Argentina's prices will fall and align more closely to these markets.
The government's decision to eliminate mobile phone tariffs could potentially lead to a shift in the local technology industry, as companies might lower prices to maintain competitiveness in the market. With lower tariffs, an average lifestyle upgrade, particularly in terms of access to technology, might become more affordable for many Argentinian households.
