Navigating the Complexities of LATAM Imports
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Ship from: UK & USA
Ship to: Argentina
Products Shipped: Sports Officiating Technology
A High-stakes Game of Import and Compliance
Shipping IT hardware into Latin America can be a gauntlet for importers. Trade balance rules make it difficult to get goods through customs, and if you are not careful, you could end up spending a lot of time and money. Additionally, any mistake can expose your business to a significant measure of risk.
The movement of IT equipment around Latin American countries is heavily regulated. Customs authorities have wide discretion, and their interpretations of regulations vary wildly. This can lead to long delays, unexpected fees, and even the seizure of goods. And if you’re importing refurbished equipment, you’ll face even more challenges.
TecEx’s client is a leading innovator in sports technology, recognized for delivering sports officiating technology such as the well-known Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which makes the sport fairer, safer, and more engaging along with line calling technology in international tennis, goal-line technology in football and the review system in cricket.
The client, having already provided VAR technology to leagues across Europe, now needed to ship its system to various stadia around the world to fulfill a new contract – including Buenos Aires, a destination where they have no import entity.
The Challenge
The project was brought to TecEx’s attention on the 23rd of January, with a major football event set to take place from the 9th – 15th February. In one of the matches, rivals from Argentina and Brazil were to be overseen by the client’s VAR system.
The challenge presented to TecEx was to ensure the technology was shipped, cleared, and delivered within two weeks. The fact that the goods were refurbished items added a layer of complexity, making compliance far more demanding for the TecEx team. To add insult to injury, the shipment had to be consolidated from three separate continents before it could finally reach its destination in Argentina, one of the world’s most complex and compliance-heavy countries.
The Solution
Although the timing was extremely tight, based on experience and in-depth knowledge of shipping into Latin America, the TecEx team was confident in their odds of success.
The team began by consolidating the goods from the UK and the US and bringing them together in a third hub in the US. Because the products were second-hand, Argentina’s compliance laws regarding refurbished goods came into effect.
The goods had to be checked and documented very specifically. Serial codes and Harmonized System(HS) codes had to be verified, and only then could the packaging and sending of the goods to their final destination actually take place.
The Outcome
Thanks to TecEx’s vast knowledge and capabilities, the team was able to take on the task and ship on very short notice, helping our client keep their promises and clearing customs in Argentina in record time.
In fact, the goods arrived on the very day the tournament began, and they really were needed. (In the final, a dispute over a yellow card was called. The ref did not issue the card at first, but the call went to VAR, after which his decision was modified.)
The TecEx Way
The client was happy, and the various stakeholders were satisfied. The only disappointing outcome was the match result – a draw.
The bottom line is this: always use a partner who is fully aware of the compliance requirements for importing IT hardware into your destination region – because when you do, there’s little that’s truly impossible.
And as part of the turnkey solution provided by TecEx, we have already exported the equipment out of Argentina and delivered it back to our client. Hopefully, for use in future nail-biting tournaments around the world!
Looking for a
similar solution?
Contact TecEx to help with shopfitting, design, and architectural projects in foreign markets. Our global presence, project management, import compliance, and logistics network allow us to offer a comprehensive end-to-end solution for clients throughout the supply chain.
Looking for a
similar solution?
Contact TecEx to help with shopfitting, design, and architectural projects in foreign markets. Our global presence, project management, import compliance, and logistics network allow us to offer a comprehensive end-to-end solution for clients throughout the supply chain.