Just arrived, tax will start on <january 1st, its like a ghost town here on Xmas day....but off to explore

It is not a Tax.
It is a Reciprocity Fee.
Only people with passports to countries who charge Argentina citizens a fee, will be charged.

I love days like this.
Ghost town in a way, but happily, hardly any traffic, not half as much noise ( if you don't count the fireworks) , parks are almost empty .. a great day to just wander all over town.

Merry Post Christmas Scarlett and Soobloo. I wasn't in Argentina, but Skype kinda put me there for awhile! Soobloo, check back on TA sometime. Both of you, have a wonderful New Year! XO Seeks

The reciprocity fee is scheduled to begin January 1 or December 28, depending on which source you consult.

drdawggy - what are the sources? The US Embassy hasn't posted anything new (in fact that still says 12/20, which we know is incorrect. Is the January 1 information only coming from one traveler or is there anything official?

Thanks very much -- arriving on the 30th, so it would be very helpful to know what to expect at the airport if it's possible.

Linda

I'm not the universally famous (LOL) drdawggy, but I'll try to help.

Our government says http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/ it will start on Dec. 28.

However, whatever they say must be taken with several grains of salt, as they have postponed this thing several times.

drdawggy seems to have another source, which is saying it will start on Jan. 1.

Have a great time in our country, Linda.

We arrive late afternoon on Dec 28th - will post after we get to apartment to let you know if we had to pony up

Our leading local newspaper says it starts today: http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1215809

Wombat7 will let us know whether or not that is correct.

<blue>Here is the Translated article:</blue>


Aliens entering to Argentina on Monday, for tourism, study or business, through the airport of Ezeiza, and who come from countries that charge Argentines them by entering its territory must pay a "reciprocity fee .

Interior Minister Florencio Randazzo, announced today that "the amount of the fee paid is equivalent to the Argentines for the application for visas to travel to these countries, and the effect is similar to that granted them. The Australians, for example, must pay the equivalent of $ 100, Canadians and Americans 70 to 134.

"Argentina will not seek a visa. Only charge a fee, as do Brazil and Chile with foreign countries requesting visas to its citizens," the official said.

The proceeds of this fee will go to modernize border crossings and immigration control activity of entrants to Argentina by air, land, sea and river, as reported through a press release. Also will upgrade equipment and meet international standards and guidelines related to biometric identification.

The payment, as provided by Decree 1654/2008, shall be made in U.S. dollars or pesos according to daily exchange rate and may be made by cash, credit card or traveler's checks.

Randazzo explained that the fee shall be paid by foreigners at the time of entry into Argentina and as a first step be implemented only in the Ezeiza airport, where there will be collection boxes enabled.
The payment, as provided by Decree 1654/2008, shall be made in U.S. dollars or pesos according to the exchange rate of the day by cash, credit card or traveler's checks.

In relation to the dissemination of the measure, the Department of Immigration, through its owner, Martín Arias Duval, reported its application to the embassies of the countries involved, Argentina to the Foreign Ministry, tourism companies and lines carriers.

Also brochures have been printed for delivery to passengers and prepared for adequate signage at the entrance of the air terminal at Ezeiza airport.

Here's a question....I have an opportunity to use very few miles to fly American Airlines SFO-Montevideo and then from EZE back to SF. The flight in connects in EZE. If I am on a connecting flight, do I pay the fee? I would take land/water to get back to BA from Montevideo, or fly to AEP.

PS. Has anyone paid the tax yet?

Yes, there are several posts on other forums. People have been told it is, in the case of US citizens, good for ten years even in an expired passport.

Can anyone answer my question as to whether I should fly from SFO to Montevideo on my miles and possibly not have to pay the fee and also already be in Montevideo, which is one of my destinations? I can either fly via Miami, thereby skipping Eze altogether on the way there and fly EZE to SFO on the way back....but a LONG flight on the way there 23 hours.

Or I could fly SFO to MVD via EZE and then EZE-SFO on the way back...but would I have to pay the entrance fee on a layover to Uruguay? It's the same miles either way. Help!!! The sooner the better please!!!!

I am moving my question over to Tripadvisor

here is P.S. to this story..we thought we were going to avoid the entry fee, not realizing it hadnt started yet and my daughter went in on her English passport(Dec. 25th) and left on her American one and got charged $80 departure fee...how's that for trying to beat the system!!!

Soobloo, I would have thought she would have to leave on the same passport she entered with. Most countries require this, even if you are able to carry another passport. Her tourist card would have been made out with the UK passport number.

soobloo, did you get my E-mail? I'd love to chat a little with you about the Mine Hotel when you have some time. I know you are probably just getting back....