The countdown has started for my trip back to Buenos Aires, and I’m starting to make my list of those things I want to take back with me that are unavailable or hard to get in Argentina. Because luggage rules with all airlines allow max. of 50 lbs. for each bag, and most charge for each bag, I need to be selective in what I decide to take back.  My list-in-progress:

• Electronics: Taxes on imported electronics are super-prohibitive, and new brands are slow to hit the market. It’s better to buy what I think I will need here in the U.S. and take back with me. It’s perfectly legal to bring in personal electronic equipment, as long as it is clear that it is my personal stuff and I have no intention to sell it. Residents of Argentina need to pay tax on what they have bought abroad. I’m not an official resident yet, so I can take advantage.

• Feminine/Personal items: The only brand of tampon in Argentina is O.B., so  I generally stock up on my preferred brand. They carry different deodorants as well, so I usually add a couple extra of my preferred brands of those, too.
• U.S. Stamps! When I do business which requires a self-addressed stamped envelope, well, I  need a U.S. stamp. Especially since my return address is a U.S. post-office box.
• Bras and underwear: There are two issues I have with Argentine undergarments. First, I have a hard time finding bras that fit. Second, the quality is very poor; bras fall apart and get holes in them within a couple of months. A friend suggested this is because in Argentina, plastic surgery is so common, that fuller-breasted women don’t need very much support because their breasts stay up on their own. (Funny, but true!)
• Running shoes: Strappy leather sandals and boots are everywhere, but athletic shoe brands are pretty pathetic, since they have to be imported. Better to find a good pair of New Balance before I leave.
• Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing packets: A taste of home. Argentines don’t really do salad dressings, except for oil-vinegar and salsa golf (which is a version of thousand-island). The only ranch dressing I have found is Newman’s Own in the imported isle for about $8 US a bottle. The ranch dressing packets are light and convenient, and will satisfy my occasional cravings.

That’s about it- of course, I will buy a few clothes, but I don’t want to bulk up the luggage too much. We already have a lot of cycling equipment we bought that we are taking back. Oh, and about the title: they don’t have bacon in Argentina. Pancetta, yes, but it is different than the bacon cuts here in the U.S. If I could bring bacon I would, but somehow I think it would be a little too complicated.

If any of you South American expats can think of something I’ve overlooked, I’d be happy to hear about it.

Julia Evans wrote this article forAffordableCallingCards.net where she blogs about her life as an expat.  She also writes a personal blog Evans’ Gateabout living as an American expat in Buenos Aires, where she lives with her husband.  Comments on both blogs welcome!

Tags: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Take-back items

Check out Pingo.com's calling cards!

• No hidden fees or rates - don't lose minutes to dirty marketing.
• Top-rated prices per comparison reviews on AboutCallingCards.com.
• Fast dialing through speed-dial.

Pick Country or View Rates

• Italy
• Switzerland
• Phillipines

That list looks like mine when I come back to Chile (without the stamps)!

Peanut butter! Only found a very dry version in the dieticas there – Walmart was out of American peanut butter. Also, maple syrup – totally unavailable in Argentina, and we looked! We also missed cheddar cheese, although you would have to put that in your bacon category!

Well- I guess you wont be needing empanada shells from the local Argentine deli. or Terma from the local Mexican market, or to stock up on mate from the local Italian deli. I bet my wife could find those things for you in BA. She says I will miss nothing down there. That BA has it all. The Quilmes is not bad a tall. How can they not refrigerate the large grade A eggs??

Nice list and pretty similiar to mine for when I head back to Italy!

Travail de Yesturdays pour le demain – un regard à quelques exemples…

Noté cet exemple, par l’intermédiaire de Megan halign dessus Journal de phase et imaginez-le pour être très instructif et trop le point…

Travail de Yesturdays pour le demain – un regard à quelques exemples…

Juste noté cet exemple, par l’intermédiaire de David halign dessus linkedin et trouvé lui pour être très instructif et trop le point…

Yesturdays work for tomorrow – a look at some examples…

Noticed this example, via David halign on Live Journal and imagine it to be very informative and too the point…

Yesturdays work for tomorrow – a look at some examples…

Was shown this example, via jon Messer on Twitter and found it to be extremely informative and too the point…

Yesturdays work for tomorrow – a look at some examples…

Was shown this example, via jon McCormick on Facebook and found it to be somewhat informative and too the point…

Add a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.