Argentina-Bolivia border trade and smuggling regulation

Authorities in Bolivia and Argentina have intensified efforts to regulate trade and prevent smuggling along their shared border. Initially, the focus centered on the illegal diversion of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other goods. In Bolivia, the National Hydrocarbons Agency announced coordinated operations involving police and military forces to stop fuel from being smuggled into Argentina. Argentine officials expressed concerns regarding a lack of oversight, alleging that Bolivian nationals were crossing rivers to purchase fuel in containers and that border towns were becoming dumping grounds for illegal merchandise.

Following these enforcement efforts, Argentina’s Agency for Collection and Customs Control (ARCA) implemented formal regulatory changes under General Resolution 5910/2026. These new restrictions cap the value of goods transported per person per day at US$150 and prohibit the export of specific items, including grains like wheat, soy, and corn, as well as fuels in supplementary tanks or containers. The regulations also restrict goods packaged in containers of 10 kilograms or more. These measures have prompted concern among local merchants and leaders in border towns such as Salvador Mazza and Aguas Blancas regarding the economic impact on small businesses and regional commercial exchange.