Can Argentines pay foreign merchants with their cards?

Yes. Currency controls for individuals were lifted in April 2025, but card purchases abroad paid in pesos carry a 30% tax perception under RG 5617. Cardholders can avoid it by paying their card bill in dollars.

How cross-border card purchases work

Argentine cardholders can buy from foreign websites with their credit and debit cards. The purchase is recorded in foreign currency, and the cardholder pays the card bill either in pesos, with the perception added, or in dollars from a dollar account.

What the perception is

It is an advance payment of income or wealth taxes, collected through the card bill. Cardholders can later offset it against their tax obligations, but it raises the immediate cost of foreign purchases.

Effect on demand

Price-sensitive shoppers may prefer local sellers or pay their card bill in dollars. Rules have changed often in Argentina, so merchants should check the current regime.

Local alternatives

Selling through a local entity or local acquiring can avoid cross-border treatment for the shopper, depending on structure and regulation.

What it means for payment operators

For your merchants targeting Argentine shoppers, local acquiring and local methods can make offers more competitive than cross-border card payments. A platform with access to local providers helps them test both models.