WT/MIN(17)/INF/6  
8 June 2017 
(17-3083) Page: 1/3 
Ministeria l Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original:  Spanish  
 
  NOTE TO DELEGATIONS  
INFORMATION ON MEA NS OF PAYMENT,  
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGES  
AND BANK SERVICES  
 
Please find below a communication from the Argentine Task Force for the Eleventh Ministerial 
Conference.  
 
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In order to facilitate the commer cial transactions , such as cash transactions in Argentine pesos or 
foreign currencies, debit or credit card transactions, foreign currency exchanges or bank 
transactions in general,  of members of delegations attending the Eleventh Ministerial Conference , 
delegates should bear in mind  the following information : 
 
1  WHERE TO BUY ARGENTINE PESOS  
1.1.  Entities authorized by the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic are the best places for 
conducting reliable, safe and transparent transactions . A list of such entities is included in 
the Annex.  
1.2.  Delegates  should bear in mind that informal money offers  exist. In the heart of Buenos Aires, 
especially on  pedestrian streets, delegate s are likely to come across persons offer ing to buy and 
sell foreign currencies . Such exchange s are very risky, as they might entail  a scam of some sort , 
and should therefore be avoided . 
2  WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ON CURRENCY VALUES  
2.1.  Information on the values of various currencies is available from foreign exchange bureaus , 
banking institutions and t he following websites : 
2.2.  https://www.bna.com.ar  – official website . 
2.3.  http://www.afip.gob.ar  – official website . 
3  HOW MUCH MONEY TO CHANGE  
3.1.  Please note that  some authorized entities ac cept only US$ 50 and US$100 notes and refuse  
US$5, US$10 and US$20 notes.  
4  MEANS OF PAYMENT  
4.1.  While US dollars and euros are generally accepted in shops and businesses, foreign 
currencies can be  exchanged for Argentine pesos at entities authorized by the Centr al Bank of the 
Argentine Republic . See Annex.  WT/MIN(17)/INF/6  
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  4.2.  The most widely accepted credit cards are  American  Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card. 
In light of  issues arising from the use of debit and credit cards with six -digit PINs , delegates are 
advised to change th eir PINs to four -digit numbers  prior to travelling . 
4.3.  Travellers cheques are widely accepted in Buenos Aires, but might not be accepted in towns 
outside the capital.  
5  OPERATING HOURS OF BANKS AND AUTHORIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE ENTITIES  
5.1.  Banks are open Monday to F riday from 10 a .m. to 3 p .m., while authorized foreign exchange 
entities are open until 4 p.m. Cash withdrawal s and other transactions  can be made at  automated 
teller machines (ATMs) which operate 24 hours a day . 
5.2.  Most hotels have ATMs, which can be used fo r cash withdrawals . However, generally 
speaking, foreign currencies cannot be exchanged at hotel concierge  services or reception  desks . 
5.3.  Please note that since November  2016, hotels have been authorized to exchange foreign 
currencies in accordance with C ircular No. A 6053 of the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic, 
but that most hotels do not provide this service.  
5.4.  Mobile ATMs will be set up during the Ministerial Conference.  
6  OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS  
6.1.  Some establishments, including restaurants, hotels and shop ping malls, offer better rates for 
cash payments, regardless of whether such payments  are made in Argentine  pesos, US dollars 
or euros.  
6.2.  Tax refund  (tax-free shopping) : foreign tourists may reclaim  VAT (21%) on purchases of 
domestically -produced goods that cost 70 Argentine pesos or more  and have been  made at stores  
that are part of the  "Global Blue Argentina " tax-free system . To claim a  refund , delegates should : 
a. At the shop: shop at stores that have a "tax-free" sign on display  and ask for a refund  
form.  
b. At Argentine  customs : when leaving the country, at any Argentine customs office 
(at airports, ports or border entries), show their receipts along with their purchases and 
passport and get their refund forms stamped.  
c. Payment  of tax refund : may be in cash, by credit card or bank cheque . 
7  VAT REFUND ON ACCOMMODATION  
7.1.  Since 2 January  2017, foreign tourists may reclaim VAT (21%) on accommodation . 
7.2.  VAT on accommodation will be refunded to persons who can prove , with their passport or 
national ID  card, that they live o utside Argentina and have paid with a foreign credit card or 
through  a bank transfer wh ich originated outside Argentina . 
7.3.  This benefit covers accommodation and breakfast if the latter was included in the price of 
accommodation.  
7.4.  Note: The sources consulted i n the preparation of the present  information 
sheet  were: Argentina Travel: http://www.argentina.travel ; B uenos Aires  Tourism : 
http://www.turismo.buenosaires.go b.ar; and the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic.  
 
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 WT/MIN(17)/INF/6  
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  Annex: Authorized foreign exchange entities  
 
Columbus S.A.  
http://www.columbus.com.ar/index.html  
San Martín 529  
(54 11) 4325 -9742 
Buenos Aires  
 
Cambio Alpe S.A.  
http://www.cambioalpe.com.ar  
Sarmiento 480  
(54 11) 4393 -0100 
Buenos Aires  
 
Maxinta S.A.C.T. y B.  
http://www.maxinta.com  
Reconquista 344  
(54 11) 5278 -4400 
Buenos Aires  
 
Montevideo Cambio y Turismo S.A.  
http://www.montevideocambio.com.ar  
Florida 580  
(54 11) 4325 -4435 
Buenos Aires  
 
Transcambio S.A.  
http://www.transcambio.com.ar  
San Martín 386  
(54 11) 5235 -9000 
Buenos Aires  
 
Pasamar S.A.  
San Martín 580/4  
(54 11) 4322 -9095 
Buenos Aires  
 
Giovinazzo S.A.  
Sarmiento 463  
(54 11) 4329 -3600 
Buenos Aires  
 
 
Note: Authorized foreign exchange entities  are open Mond ay to Friday from 10 a .m. to 4 p.m. This 
information has been obtained from the official website of the Central Bank of the 
Argentine  Republic ( http://www.bcra.gov.ar ). 
 
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