Overview

• Thousands of Argentines cross daily from Puerto Iguazú into Foz de Iguazú and Ciudad del Este to buy goods up to 70% cheaper than at home.
• Meat prices in Brazil run roughly 50% below Argentine rates and produce costs up to 70% less while electronics, clothing and medical services also attract cross-border shoppers.
• Return crossings face strict customs checks that can delay travelers for hours and cap buyers to five identical items per trip.
• Many shoppers now hire informal “paseros” to smuggle extra merchandise and bypass official customs quotas.
• Local merchants in Puerto Iguazú report sharp revenue declines as sustained price arbitrage draws domestic demand into neighboring markets.