“Tire Tour”: More and more Argentines cross the border to get tires

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Along with encouraging “incursions” into Uruguay, the shortage of tires pushes Argentines to look for options in other countries in the region. From there, and along with unleashed smuggling, in recent weeks the crossings to Chile, Paraguay and even Brazil of drivers who locate the models that were no longer available in Argentina have intensified.

The difference in prices also drives this phenomenon, which seems to have no solution in the medium term given the Government’s decision to keep imports tied.

In keeping with this, Chile has become an extremely frequented option since the tires that are obtained are of all sizes and at values ​​up to four times lower than their similar ones in Argentina. Although the AFIP prohibits the entry of these products, Argentines resort to a “trick” to avoid this veto: they change the four tires on the other side of the border and return to the country with the tires camouflaged with snow or mud.

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In Chilean territory, a Hankook 225/60 tire size 17 costs, in Argentine pesos, just over ARS$35,000 (US$288). As iProfesional was able to verify, in spare parts shops the product is practically not available, while in portals such as Mercado Libre its value can reach ARS$100,000 (US$823).

While a 205/55 tire size 16 is advertised on the same platform at ARS$53,000, on the other side of the Cordillera it costs practically half. The same difference is detectable for GoodYear products of similar size. Bridgestone 205/60 size 16 tires cost almost ARS$60,000 in Argentina –when there is stock– while in Los Andes or in Santiago they are worth less than ARS$20,000.

The models for vehicles such as the Amarock or Hilux vans cost up to ARS$30,000 in Chile, while in Argentina, when such tires can be found, the amounts to be disbursed are above ARS$120,000 per unit.

TIRES: ARGENTINES ALSO CROSS INTO PARAGUAY AND BRAZIL

The difference in values ​​and the availability of brands also push motorists to cross into Paraguay through the province of Misiones. The San Roque González de Santa Cruz international bridge that connects Posadas with Encarnación has become a common step for those who are looking for, mostly, 13, 14 and 15 wheel sizes.

Merchants close to the Economic Confederation of Misiones and, also, to the provincial Metropolitan Chamber of Tourism, Commerce and Services, assured iProfesional that trips to Brazil to buy tires also intensified.

For both countries, tires can be at least 50% cheaper depending on the make and model. This difference has also been encouraging smuggling that has increased over the last month. During May alone, the National Gendarmerie and the Prefecture carried out more than half a dozen operations to seize products and intercept trucks and boats loaded with tires for vehicles.

TIRE SHORTAGE – EXPEDITED SMUGGLING

Last month, the National Gendarmerie seized 154 tires -36 as used- which, transported in six trucks, entered Formosa from Paraguay. The merchandise seized in the procedure reached a value greater than ARS$32.4 million.

In Misiones, the scenario of illegal entry of rubber from Paraguay is on fire. In mid-May, a group of smugglers exchanged fire with local police officers and the incident led to the Prefectura’s intervention.

Those who loaded the tires finally fled to the Paraguayan side of the Paraná River, leaving behind 42 tires of different sizes valued at ARS$5 million.

“Operations were carried out in the towns of Eldorado and Puerto Rico. In one of the cases, 16 new tires were seized, with 14, 15 and 16 rims. In another, 16 truck tires and two tractor tires. The merchandise was valued at almost ARS$1 million. Most of these covers come from Paraguay,” detailed local sources.

“In Eldorado, the Gendarmerie recently inspected a truck with a semi-trailer and trailer, in which an adult citizen was travelling, where 76 foreign tires were seized, and on National Route No. 12, Paraje Urugua-í (Formosa), they seized another 328 tires of a Volkswagen semi-trailer truck,” they added.

TIRE SHORTAGE: ARGENTINES SHOPPING IN URUGUAY

In recent months, as iProfesional recently explained, some Argentines who often go to Uruguay inquired about tires for their vehicles in that market.

At first it was due to the lack of supply in Argentina, but then the great surprise arose, and that was when it was discovered that the same models and brands come out placed at half price, with alignment and rocking included.

Now, there are hundreds of cars that cross the neighboring country every day to look for businesses that, counting fuel and toll costs, save more than half the money on four tires.

With information from iProfessional