Today, General Resolution No. 5880/2026 was published in the Official Gazette, whereby the Customs Collection and Control Agency (ARCA) has established the possibility of requesting the release of guarantees lodged due to the absence of a Certificate of Origin by submitting a Digital Certificate of Origin (Certificado de Origen Digital – COD).
This measure is based on Resolution No. 386 of the Committee of Representatives of the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), which recognized Digital Certificates of Origin as having the same legal validity as certificates issued in paper form. Until now, the applicable regulations required the submission of the Certificate of Origin exclusively in hard-copy format in order to obtain the release of guarantees posted due to the absence of such document.
Pursuant to this amendment, importers may use the “Digital Certificate of Origin Submission” procedure available through the Customs Procedures Information System (SITA) to request the release of guarantees corresponding to “Lack of MERCOSUR Certificate of Origin” (Code: FCEO) and the associated automatic fines (Code: MUAU). Applicants must provide the relevant customs clearance identification number, the corresponding line items, and the number(s) of the applicable Certificate(s) of Origin.
The Customs Authority will verify that the submitted Digital Certificate of Origin complies with the applicable rules of origin under the relevant trade agreement and will notify the applicant of its decision—whether approval or rejection—through the Customs Electronic Communication and Notification System (SICNEA).
The complete procedure is available in the “SITA – Customs Procedures Information System” microsite on ARCA’s official website.
In summary, this measure represents a further step toward the digitalization of customs procedures and streamlines foreign trade operations by reducing processing times and administrative burdens for importers and customs brokers.