WT/DS438/23  
WT/DS444/23  
WT/DS445/24  
15 January 2016  
(16-0310)  Page: 1/2  
 Original: Spanish  
 
  ARGENTINA - MEASURES AFFECTIN G THE IMPORTATION OF GOODS 
STATUS REPORT BY ARGENTINA 
The following communication, dated 14 January 2016,  from the delegation of Argentina to the 
Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated pursuant to Article 21.6 of the DSU. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
Status Report Regarding Implementation of the 
DSB Recommendations and Rulings in the Disputes 
Argentina - Measures Affecting the Importation of Goods 
(WT/DS438, WT/DS444 and WT/DS445) 
 
Argentina submits this report pursuant to Article 21.6 of the Understanding on Rules and 
Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes  ("Article 21.6 of the DSU"). 
At its meeting of 26 January 2015, the Dispute Settlement Body ("DSB") adopted the conclusions 
and recommendations of the Panel in Argentina - Measures Affecting the Importation of Goods 
(WT/DS438/R, WT/DS444/R and WT/DS445/R),  as modified by the Appellate Body 
(Reports WT/DS438/AB/R, WT/DS444/AB/R and WT/DS445/AB/R).1 
At the DSB meeting of 23 February2, Argentina informed the DSB that it intended to implement 
the recommendations and rulings adopted by the DS B and that it would need a reasonable period 
of time in which to do so. 
On 2 July 2015, Argentina and the three co-complainants informed the DSB that they had agreed 
that the reasonable period of time for Arge ntina to implement the DSB recommendations and 
rulings would expire on 31 December 2015.3 
The aforementioned period having expired, Argentina accordingly submits this report within the 
period of time and in the format required by Article 21.6 of the DSU. 
Argentina has implemented the conclusions and recommendations in section 7 of the Panel Report 
(document WT/DS438/R, WT/DS444/R and WT/DS/445/R)  and in section 6 of the Appellate Body 
Report (document WT/DS438/AB/R, WT/DS444/AB/R and WT/DS445/AB/R) in their entirety, and 
has therefore fully complied with its obligations within the time-frames jointly agreed with the 
three co-complainants. 
As regards the measure identified as "TRRs" (Trade-Related Requirements) during the 
proceedings, Argentina ceased to apply it, as it informed the three complainants in due time, in 
the course of 2015. 
As regards the measure identified as the " DJAI" ( Declaración Jurada Anticipada de Importación ), 
or Advance Sworn Import Declaration, the legislation under which it was established was repealed 
by General AFIP Resolution 3823 of 21 December 2015.  As at the date of expiry of the reasonable 
                                               
1 WT/DSB/M/356. 
2 WT/DSB/M/357. 
3 Documents WT/DS438/22; WT/DS444/22; WT/DS445/22. WT/DS438/23 • WT/DS444/23 • WT/DS445/24 
- 2 - 
  period of time for implementation, there were no  more DJAIs pending approval by the authorities 
involved within the terms of the findings of the Panel4 and the Appellate Body5, leaving only a 
certain number of approved operations in process of execution. 
In order to comply fully with the transparency requirements that should guide the actions of 
Members of this Organization, Argentina also wishes to report on the new measures that have 
been adopted by the Government that took office on 10 December last. 
On 21 December 2015, the Federal Administration of Public Revenue ( Administracíon Federal de 
Ingresos Públicos  (AFIP)) issued General AFIP Resolution 3823. The Resolution in question 
established the Comprehensive Import Monitoring System ( Sistema Integral de Monitoreo de 
Importaciones  (SIMI)). 
The SIMI operates through a virtual platform and its purpose is to facilitate the exchange of 
information and monitoring of the import process from inception to customs clearance. The AFIP is 
working on the system's user guides and operat ing manuals, to be made available to exporters 
and importers. 
The information registered in the SIMI will be placed  at the disposal of entities that become part or 
are already part of the Single Window for Foreign Trade ( Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior  
(VUCE)), according to their relevant spheres of competence, and within a reasonable period of 
time, the purpose being not to hinder foreign trade operations. 
Moreover, on 22 December last the Ministry of Production published Resolution 5/2015, 
announcing the establishment of an Automatic (LA) and Non-Automatic (LNA) Import Licensing Regime. Under this regime, the first type of licence  (LA) will cover around 85% of tariff headings, 
while the remaining headings will be subject to th e second type (LNA). The Secretariat of Trade, 
attached to the Ministry of Production, will be  the authority responsible for implementing this 
regime. 
The licensing regime will operate through the SIMI's online platform, and the objective is that 
import applications should be processed within the shortest possible time. The Ministry of Production is still evaluating the issuing of regulations relating to the regime, the user manuals 
and management guidelines, which, if adopted, will be published promptly. 
One aspect worthy of mention in the context of this  report is that, by means of Resolution 2/2016, 
the Secretariat of Trade repealed Resolution  1/2012 of the Secretariat of Domestic Trade 
empowering that body to intervene in all foreign trade operations. By reason of 
Resolutions 5/2015 of the Ministry of Production  and 2/2016 of the Secretariat of Trade, the 
Secretariat's remit focuses on the LA and LNA regime. 
In light of the foregoing, Argentina considers that it has fully implemented the recommendations 
and conclusions of the Panel and the Appellate Body adopted by the DSB on 26 January 2015, 
within the time-frame agreed with the three complainants pursuant to Article 21.3(b) of the DSU. 
A copy of the legislation referred to in this communication is attached for joint circulation as part 
of this status report in accordance with Article 21.6 of the DSU. 
 
__________  
                                               
4 WT/DS438/R, WT/DS444/R an d WT/DS445/R, para. 7.2. 
5 WT/DS438/AB/R, WT/DS444/AB/R and WT/DS445/AB/R, para. 6.3.