Monthly trade report
Argentina imports: May 2026
Imports into Argentina totaled US$4.53 billion in May 2026, down 4.6% from April 2026 and down 13.0% from May 2025, according to Argentina customs (ARCA) data compiled by CargoFax.
- Imports, May 2026
- US$4.53 billion
- vs April 2026
- -4.6%
- vs May 2025
- -13.0%
Imports from China fell to their lowest level since January 2025, and cars declined again
China supplied US$1.04 billion of Argentina's imports in May 2026, down 16.6% from April and the lowest monthly value from China since January 2025, when this series begins. Brazil, at US$1.10 billion, was again the largest origin, although it was 26.6% below May 2025.
The total edged down 4.6% to US$4.53 billion (FOB), 13% less than a year earlier. Year-to-date imports reached US$22.3 billion, 9.9% below January to May 2025.
Passenger cars (HS 8703) fell 12.2% to US$374 million, 22.1% below May 2025, and electrical equipment (HS 85) declined 9.5% to US$432 million, its lowest level since January 2025. Vaccines and blood products (HS 3002) eased 20.2% to US$134 million after April's high.
Fertilizers kept climbing. The chapter (HS 31) rose for a third consecutive month, from US$27.9 million in February to US$206 million in May, with mixed fertilizers (HS 3105) at US$142 million. Trucks and pickups (HS 8704) recovered 26.6% to US$132 million.
Across March to May, imports were US$14.0 billion, 7.4% more than in the previous three months but 8.2% below the same months of 2025.
What the data shows: May was a modest step down, with smaller purchases from China and of cars, while fertilizers continued to rise. The data does not show why the gap with 2025 persists.
Month at a glance
| Metric | May 2026 | April 2026 | Change | May 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import value (US$) | 4,530,221,134 | 4,748,039,263 | -4.6% | 5,205,427,936 | -13.0% |
| Records | 471,973 | 534,890 | -11.8% | 564,749 | -16.4% |
| Importers | 10,950 | 12,274 | -10.8% | 11,260 | -2.8% |
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 Mar – May '26 | 14,049,589,695 | 13,082,432,859 Dec '25 – Feb '26 | +7.4% | 15,311,829,226 | -8.2% |
| Quarter to date Apr – May '26 | 9,278,260,397 | 8,253,558,760 Jan – Feb '26 | +12.4% | 10,423,722,548 | -11.0% |
| Year to date Jan – May '26 | 22,303,148,455 | 24,748,370,056 Jan – May '25 | -9.9% | 24,748,370,056 | -9.9% |
What did Argentina import in May 2026?
By HS chapter
| HS | Category | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | Vehicles and parts | 816,006,590 | 18.0% | -7.7% | -24.5% |
| 84 | Machinery and computers | 764,287,093 | 16.9% | -3.6% | -13.8% |
| 85 | Electrical equipment | 432,121,705 | 9.5% | -9.5% | -26.6% |
| 30 | Pharmaceutical products | 288,898,737 | 6.4% | -10.4% | +18.0% |
| 31 | Fertilizers | 205,959,262 | 4.5% | +5.6% | +8.0% |
| 39 | Plastics | 204,344,698 | 4.5% | +8.3% | -8.8% |
| 29 | Organic chemicals | 200,733,481 | 4.4% | +13.6% | +27.7% |
| 90 | Optical and medical instruments | 150,898,872 | 3.3% | -6.6% | -6.1% |
| 27 | Mineral fuels and oils | 119,749,930 | 2.6% | +53.1% | -47.3% |
| 38 | Miscellaneous chemical products | 112,403,823 | 2.5% | -10.2% | +6.1% |
By product (HS4)
| HS | Product | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 373,506,280 | 8.2% | -12.2% | -22.1% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 141,940,183 | 3.1% | +14.4% | +10.1% |
| 3004 | Packaged medicines | 140,775,884 | 3.1% | +1.1% | +13.3% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 134,398,787 | 3.0% | -20.2% | +32.3% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 132,290,652 | 2.9% | +26.6% | -11.0% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 121,607,996 | 2.7% | -15.9% | -36.3% |
| 8517 | Phones and network equipment | 114,789,092 | 2.5% | +4.8% | -33.8% |
| 8471 | Computers | 88,958,017 | 2.0% | -1.6% | -0.8% |
| 2711 | Natural gas and LPG | 88,484,385 | 2.0% | +355.9% | +271.2% |
| 8701 | Tractors | 68,491,728 | 1.5% | -0.4% | -40.1% |
What went up, what went down
Biggest increases
Trucks and pickups (HS 8704) added US$27.8 million compared with April 2026, more than any other product heading.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2711 | Natural gas and LPG | 19,410,158 | 88,484,385 | +69,074,227 | +355.9% |
| 8704 | Trucks and pickups | 104,490,191 | 132,290,652 | +27,800,461 | +26.6% |
| 8479 | Other machines n.e.s. | 28,264,700 | 51,045,919 | +22,781,219 | +80.6% |
| 3105 | Mixed fertilizers | 124,044,753 | 141,940,183 | +17,895,430 | +14.4% |
| 8802 | Aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8801, except unmanned... | 20,804,541 | 37,999,081 | +17,194,540 | +82.6% |
Biggest decreases
Passenger cars (HS 8703) had the largest decline, US$52.1 million less than in April 2026.
| HS | Product | Prior month | This month | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8703 | Passenger cars | 425,619,985 | 373,506,280 | -52,113,705 | -12.2% |
| 3002 | Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 168,321,563 | 134,398,787 | -33,922,776 | -20.2% |
| 8414 | Pumps, compressors, and fans | 57,080,787 | 27,408,077 | -29,672,710 | -52.0% |
| 2710 | Refined petroleum fuels | 48,889,665 | 25,771,058 | -23,118,606 | -47.3% |
| 8708 | Vehicle parts and accessories | 144,607,565 | 121,607,996 | -22,999,569 | -15.9% |
Where did Argentina's imports come from?
| Origin | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1,103,942,695 | 24.4% | -1.6% | -26.6% |
| China | 1,039,538,791 | 22.9% | -16.6% | -7.7% |
| United States | 452,639,620 | 10.0% | +1.2% | -15.9% |
| Germany | 230,235,131 | 5.1% | -10.9% | +2.5% |
| Italy | 128,955,144 | 2.8% | +3.5% | +17.1% |
| Mexico | 106,882,393 | 2.4% | -4.4% | -7.1% |
| Japan | 83,098,271 | 1.8% | -3.6% | +7.4% |
| India | 79,235,001 | 1.7% | +11.5% | -16.3% |
| Spain | 73,422,343 | 1.6% | -6.3% | -47.4% |
| France | 68,306,034 | 1.5% | +1.0% | -11.2% |
Ports of entry
| Port | Value (US$) | Share | vs Apr 2026 | vs May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires (port) | 1,762,493,542 | 38.9% | -7.6% | -18.2% |
| Campana | 744,897,131 | 16.4% | -2.5% | -10.4% |
| Ezeiza (airport) | 697,235,843 | 15.4% | +4.5% | +13.4% |
| Paso de los Libres | 194,564,630 | 4.3% | +4.1% | -3.9% |
| Córdoba | 145,876,619 | 3.2% | -5.2% | -28.6% |
Which imports grew and declined over the last three months?
Mar 2026 to May 2026 compared with Mar 2025 to May 2025. Items under 0.5% of the three-month total are left out.
Products
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccines, blood, and immunological products | 359,289,397 | 456,926,990 | +97,637,593 | +27.2% |
| Mixed fertilizers | 273,622,316 | 355,750,805 | +82,128,489 | +30.0% |
| Nitrogen fertilizers | 72,026,595 | 137,365,297 | +65,338,702 | +90.7% |
| Natural gas and LPG | 50,510,461 | 113,409,025 | +62,898,564 | +124.5% |
| Packaged medicines | 333,165,197 | 392,357,959 | +59,192,762 | +17.8% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refined petroleum fuels | 504,249,227 | 120,737,945 | -383,511,282 | -76.1% |
| Vehicle parts and accessories | 539,899,437 | 408,680,488 | -131,218,949 | -24.3% |
| Phones and network equipment | 495,750,554 | 388,227,959 | -107,522,596 | -21.7% |
| Tractors | 308,008,330 | 200,980,418 | -107,027,912 | -34.7% |
| Turbojets and gas turbines | 140,624,024 | 37,238,970 | -103,385,054 | -73.5% |
Countries
| Grew | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 71,514,118 | 186,204,285 | +114,690,168 | +160.4% |
| Bolivia | 18,281,767 | 83,074,291 | +64,792,525 | +354.4% |
| Switzerland | 159,458,923 | 214,861,091 | +55,402,169 | +34.7% |
| Japan | 212,657,093 | 262,607,286 | +49,950,193 | +23.5% |
| Chile | 169,520,459 | 218,279,752 | +48,759,293 | +28.8% |
| Declined | Comparison period | Last 3 months | Change | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 4,259,100,947 | 3,449,073,988 | -810,026,959 | -19.0% |
| Vietnam | 377,746,871 | 211,455,856 | -166,291,014 | -44.0% |
| China | 3,578,983,069 | 3,460,221,086 | -118,761,983 | -3.3% |
| India | 340,588,032 | 222,865,178 | -117,722,854 | -34.6% |
| United States | 1,450,039,242 | 1,349,832,277 | -100,206,965 | -6.9% |
Top importers in May 2026
10,950 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 27 mineral fuels and oils | |
| 5 | Importer, HS 30 pharmaceutical products | |
| 6 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 7 | Importer, HS 87 vehicles and parts | |
| 8 | Importer, HS 85 electrical equipment |
12-month trend
| Month | Value (US$) | Records |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Apr 2026 | 4,748,039,263 | 534,890 |
| May 2026 | 4,530,221,134 | 471,973 |
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 2711 (natural gas and lpg) went from US$19.4 million to US$88.5 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- HS 2844 (radioactive elements and isotopes) went from US$785,000 to US$17.3 million. Treat with caution: jumps this size often reflect a few large transactions or a classification change.
- Electrical equipment (HS 85) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
- Iron and steel (HS 72) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
- Meat (HS 02) reached its highest monthly level since January 2025.
- Pumps, compressors, and fans (HS 8414) fell to its lowest monthly level since January 2025.
Argentina import facts, May 2026
- Imports into Argentina totaled US$4.53 billion in May 2026, down 4.6% from April 2026 and down 13.0% from May 2025.
- The largest single product was passenger cars (HS 8703) at US$374 million.
- Trucks and pickups (HS 8704) added US$27.8 million compared with April 2026, more than any other product heading.
- Passenger cars (HS 8703) had the largest decline, US$52.1 million less than in April 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, May 2026: frequently asked questions
How much did Argentina import in May 2026?
Argentina imported US$4.53 billion (FOB) in May 2026, down 4.6% from April 2026 and down 13.0% from May 2025, according to CargoFax customs records.
What does Argentina import?
In May 2026, Argentina's largest imports were passenger cars (HS 8703, US$374 million), mixed fertilizers (HS 3105, US$142 million), and packaged medicines (HS 3004, US$141 million). The largest HS chapter was vehicles and parts, with 18.0% of the total.
Where does Argentina import from?
The top origin countries for Argentina's imports in May 2026 were Brazil (24.4%), China (22.9%), and the United States (10.0%), by share of value.
Are Argentina's imports going up or down?
Argentina's imports are falling. From March 2026 to May 2026, they totaled US$14.0 billion, down 8.2% from the same months last year. Year to date, Argentina's imports are down 9.9% from the same period of 2025.
What are Argentina's main ports of entry?
In May 2026, Argentina's main points of entry were Buenos Aires (port) with 38.9%, Campana with 16.4%, and Ezeiza (airport) with 15.4% of imports.
How many companies import into Argentina?
10,950 distinct importers appear in Argentina's customs records for May 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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