Monthly trade report
Argentina imports: March 2026
Argentina imported US$4.77 billion of goods in March 2026, up 19.9% from February 2026 and down 2.4% from March 2025, according to Argentina customs (ARCA) data compiled by CargoFax.
- Imports, March 2026
- US$4.77 billion
- vs February 2026
- +19.9%
- vs March 2025
- -2.4%
Imports rebounded 19.9% in March, and Brazil moved ahead of China
After two months of declines, imports rose 19.9% in March 2026 to US$4.77 billion (FOB). The level was still 2.4% below March 2025.
Vehicles led the recovery. The vehicles chapter (HS 87) rose 30.3% to US$901 million, ending a run of five monthly decreases. Passenger cars (HS 8703) rose 24.9% to US$444 million, and trucks and pickups (HS 8704) rose 94.6% to US$146 million. Machinery and computers (HS 84) added 17.2%, to US$869 million.
Brazil became the largest supplier for the month. Imports from Brazil rose 27.1% to US$1.22 billion, 25.6% of the total, just ahead of China at US$1.17 billion. Purchases from the United States rose 29.8% to US$450 million.
Not every line rose. Packaged medicines (HS 3004) fell 21.9% to US$112 million after three months of gains, while vaccines and blood products (HS 3002) reached US$154 million, the highest monthly value since January 2025, when this series begins.
For the first quarter, imports totaled US$13.0 billion, 9.1% less than in the first quarter of 2025.
What the data shows: March recovered much of the ground lost in January and February, mainly in vehicles and in purchases from Brazil. The quarter as a whole remained below 2025; the data does not show why.
Month at a glance
| Metric | March 2026 | February 2026 | Change | March 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import value (US$) | 4,771,329,299 | 3,979,740,745 | +19.9% | 4,888,106,678 | -2.4% |
| Records | 534,585 | 436,667 | +22.4% | 541,241 | -1.2% |
| Importers | 11,990 | 11,376 | +5.4% | 11,158 | +7.5% |
How does the month compare with the last three months, the quarter, and the year?
| Period | Total | Prior period | vs prior period | Same period last year | vs same period last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Last 3 months Jan – Mar '26 | 13,024,888,059 | 15,131,372,848 Oct – Dec '25 | -13.9% | 14,324,647,508 | -9.1% |
| Quarter to date Jan – Mar '26 | 13,024,888,059 | 15,131,372,848 Oct – Dec '25 | -13.9% | 14,324,647,508 | -9.1% |
| Year to date Jan – Mar '26 | 13,024,888,059 | 14,324,647,508 Jan – Mar '25 | -9.1% | 14,324,647,508 | -9.1% |
What did Argentina import in March 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 900,801,377 | 18.9% | +30.3% | -0.9% |
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 869,285,590 | 18.2% | +17.2% | -1.0% |
| 85 | Electrical equipment | 492,433,133 | 10.3% | +5.9% | -20.7% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 283,006,665 | 5.9% | -4.5% | +15.1% |
| 39 | Plastics | 197,359,978 | 4.1% | +21.2% | -11.2% |
| 29 | Organic chemicals | 173,550,403 | 3.6% | +9.8% | +4.8% |
| 90 | Optical and medical instruments | 156,144,661 | 3.3% | +16.5% | -1.8% |
| 38 | Miscellaneous chemical products | 127,082,573 | 2.7% | +44.4% | +24.6% |
| 31 | Fertilizers | 120,921,401 | 2.5% | +333.6% | +70.1% |
| 73 | Iron and steel articles | 79,024,915 | 1.7% | +15.6% | -0.5% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 443,799,851 | 9.3% | +24.9% | +16.7% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 163,942,234 | 3.4% | +10.4% | -1.7% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 154,206,640 | 3.2% | +10.1% | +11.4% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 146,273,822 | 3.1% | +94.6% | +5.1% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 142,464,928 | 3.0% | +24.0% | -16.1% |
| 3004 | Packaged medicines | 112,272,080 | 2.4% | -21.9% | +21.8% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 89,765,868 | 1.9% | +546.6% | +51.6% |
| 8471 | Computers | 80,671,677 | 1.7% | +20.7% | +1.0% |
| 8701 | Tractors | 63,728,630 | 1.3% | +19.0% | -32.8% |
| 8433 | Harvesting and threshing machinery, straw and fodder... | 60,981,390 | 1.3% | +29.0% | +31.4% |
What went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Passenger cars (HS 8703) rose US$88.6 million from February 2026, the largest increase of any product, to US$444 million.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 355,221,912 | 443,799,851 | +88,577,939 | +24.9% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 13,882,242 | 89,765,868 | +75,883,627 | +546.6% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 75,158,613 | 146,273,822 | +71,115,210 | +94.6% |
| 3808 | Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides | 27,662,220 | 58,767,941 | +31,105,721 | +112.4% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 114,879,543 | 142,464,928 | +27,585,384 | +24.0% |
Biggest decreases
The largest decrease was in packaged medicines (HS 3004), down 21.9% from February 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3004 | Packaged medicines | 143,805,651 | 112,272,080 | -31,533,571 | -21.9% |
| 8479 | Other machines n.e.s. | 54,984,694 | 33,801,673 | -21,183,021 | -38.5% |
| 2710 | Refined petroleum fuels | 61,293,494 | 46,077,222 | -15,216,272 | -24.8% |
| 8504 | Electric transformers, static converters (e.g.... | 37,962,396 | 23,958,198 | -14,004,199 | -36.9% |
| 7606 | Aluminium | 20,938,085 | 13,613,743 | -7,324,342 | -35.0% |
Where did Argentina's imports come from?
| Origin | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1,223,034,678 | 25.6% | +27.1% | -10.0% |
| China | 1,174,558,207 | 24.6% | +0.4% | +1.9% |
| United States | 450,101,305 | 9.4% | +29.8% | +0.0% |
| Germany | 235,082,431 | 4.9% | +41.6% | -0.7% |
| Mexico | 141,298,405 | 3.0% | +61.4% | +3.3% |
| Italy | 102,134,805 | 2.1% | +16.5% | -15.9% |
| Japan | 93,332,731 | 2.0% | +58.6% | +36.8% |
| Vietnam | 83,913,713 | 1.8% | +7.7% | -29.0% |
| Chile | 79,252,368 | 1.7% | +50.4% | +29.6% |
| Switzerland | 76,676,361 | 1.6% | +16.4% | +36.4% |
Ports of entry
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Feb 2026 | vs Mar 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires (port) | 1,930,574,371 | 40.5% | +12.6% | -2.9% |
| Campana | 847,335,851 | 17.8% | +32.8% | -1.4% |
| Ezeiza (airport) | 673,029,321 | 14.1% | +10.1% | +9.3% |
| Paso de los Libres | 180,231,381 | 3.8% | +28.6% | +3.4% |
| Rosario | 162,600,567 | 3.4% | +23.1% | +1.7% |
Which imports grew and declined over the last three months?
Jan 2026 to Mar 2026 compared with Jan 2025 to Mar 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 985,107,611 | 1,254,543,980 | +269,436,369 | +27.4% |
| Packaged medicines | 277,859,983 | 381,105,166 | +103,245,183 | +37.2% |
| Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 407,562,659 | 447,651,698 | +40,089,039 | +9.8% |
| Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only | 67,534,739 | 101,161,759 | +33,627,019 | +49.8% |
| Pumps, compressors, and fans | 129,481,642 | 158,722,067 | +29,240,425 | +22.6% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refined petroleum fuels | 462,260,746 | 174,043,833 | -288,216,913 | -62.3% |
| Electric generating sets and rotary converters | 182,458,502 | 28,542,672 | -153,915,830 | -84.4% |
| Vehicle parts and accessories | 444,172,144 | 356,268,511 | -87,903,634 | -19.8% |
| Tractors | 235,742,634 | 152,449,285 | -83,293,349 | -35.3% |
| Phones and network equipment | 513,752,720 | 444,674,253 | -69,078,468 | -13.4% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 160,718,068 | 229,352,417 | +68,634,349 | +42.7% |
| Japan | 191,111,499 | 225,988,464 | +34,876,965 | +18.2% |
| Mexico | 306,132,705 | 338,615,070 | +32,482,364 | +10.6% |
| Thailand | 170,700,081 | 183,519,478 | +12,819,397 | +7.5% |
| France | 203,804,923 | 214,993,019 | +11,188,096 | +5.5% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 3,622,348,933 | 3,030,066,931 | -592,282,002 | -16.4% |
| China | 3,812,776,248 | 3,640,061,974 | -172,714,274 | -4.5% |
| United States | 1,354,399,298 | 1,218,800,171 | -135,599,127 | -10.0% |
| India | 347,697,989 | 222,270,350 | -125,427,639 | -36.1% |
| Germany | 688,063,706 | 618,591,814 | -69,471,892 | -10.1% |
Top importers in March 2026
11,990 importers received shipments this month. See who they are, what they bought, and from whom in Explorer.
| # | Importer | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 2 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 3 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 4 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 5 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 6 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 7 | Importer, HS 72 iron and steel | |
| 8 | Importer, HS 84 machinery and computers |
12-month trend
| Month | Value (US$) | Records |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | 5,218,294,612 | 566,725 |
| May 2025 | 5,205,427,936 | 564,749 |
| Jun 2025 | 5,298,524,772 | 553,685 |
| Jul 2025 | 5,611,924,899 | 587,796 |
| Aug 2025 | 5,140,989,003 | 540,035 |
| Sep 2025 | 5,866,906,850 | 609,897 |
| Oct 2025 | 5,799,609,538 | 668,422 |
| Nov 2025 | 4,502,889,210 | 505,077 |
| Dec 2025 | 4,828,874,100 | 534,464 |
| Jan 2026 | 4,273,818,015 | 449,946 |
| Feb 2026 | 3,979,740,745 | 436,667 |
| Mar 2026 | 4,771,329,299 | 534,585 |
What looks unusual this month?
These changes may reflect a few large shipments, late records, or a classification change rather than a trend. Check them in the records before quoting them.
- HS 3105 (mixed fertilizers) went from US$13.9 million to US$89.8 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- HS 2711 (natural gas and lpg) went from US$188,000 to US$5.51 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Mineral fuels and oils (HS 27) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
- Knitted apparel (HS 61) reached its highest monthly level since January 2025.
- Woven apparel (HS 62) reached its highest monthly level since January 2025.
- Soaps and detergents (HS 34) reached its highest monthly level since January 2025.
Argentina import facts, March 2026
- Argentina imported US$4.77 billion of goods in March 2026, up 19.9% from February 2026 and down 2.4% from March 2025.
- Passenger cars (HS 8703) was the top product heading, at US$444 million.
- Passenger cars (HS 8703) rose US$88.6 million from February 2026, the largest increase of any product, to US$444 million.
- The largest decrease was in packaged medicines (HS 3004), down 21.9% from February 2026.
Methodology
Argentina customs (ARCA) import declarations. Import values are declared FOB values in US dollars. Categories follow the Harmonized System. Records are customs line items; importers are distinct importers with a record in the month. The latest month may be revised as late records arrive. The period table leaves out a comparison that reaches before January 2025, when the series starts, or that includes a month not used as a base. Year to date is compared with the same months a year earlier. Excludes provisional electricity declarations (HS 2716, regime IC01) and goods from Argentine free zones such as Tierra del Fuego, which are domestic production. Importers are counted by name as published (cut to 30 characters). Each line carries the declared FOB value with its quantity and unit of measure. Exports are not covered: the official export file is aggregated and drops small groups.
FAQ
Argentina trade, March 2026: frequently asked questions
How much did Argentina import in March 2026?
Argentina imported US$4.77 billion (FOB) in March 2026, up 19.9% from February 2026 and down 2.4% from March 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
What does Argentina import?
In March 2026, Argentina's largest imports were passenger cars (HS 8703, US$444 million), phones and network equipment (HS 8517, US$164 million), and vaccines, blood, and immunological products (HS 3002, US$154 million). The largest HS chapter was vehicles and parts, with 18.9% of the total.
Where does Argentina import from?
The top origin countries for Argentina's imports in March 2026 were Brazil (25.6%), China (24.6%), and the United States (9.4%), by share of value.
Are Argentina's imports going up or down?
Argentina's imports are falling. From January 2026 to March 2026, they totaled US$13.0 billion, down 9.1% from the same months last year. Year to date, Argentina's imports are down 9.1% from the same period of 2025.
What are Argentina's main ports of entry?
In March 2026, Argentina's main points of entry were Buenos Aires (port) with 40.5%, Campana with 17.8%, and Ezeiza (airport) with 14.1% of imports.
How many companies import into Argentina?
11,990 distinct importers appear in Argentina's customs records for March 2026. Their names are available to subscribers in Atlas Explorer.
Where can I get Argentina import and export data?
CargoFax publishes this Argentina trade report free every month. The Argentina customs records behind it, with company names, HS codes, countries, and ports, are searchable in Atlas Explorer and available in bulk through Files.
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