On January 17, 2025, the Secretary of Industry and Commerce established new rules for the display of prices for those who directly offer goods or services to final recipients, setting the following conditions through Resolution 5/25 (the “Resolution”):
a. The obligation to display prices in legal and compulsory currency in Argentina (pesos), without prejudice to the option of displaying the prices in U.S. dollars or another foreign currency.
b. The price displayed shall correspond to the total and final amount to be paid by the consumer.
c. The net amount, excluding Value Added Tax (“IVA”) and other national taxes affecting prices, shall be shown in smaller typefaces than those used to display the final price. In addition, the phrase “Price excluding national taxes” must be included. This obligation will be enforceable for displaying prices in stores and for advertisements issued by any means. The obligation will become effective as from April 1, 2025.
d. For financed prices, the Resolution requires displaying the amount and quantity of each installment, and the total effective annual financial cost shall be indicated. Also, what is determined in this point is exempted from complying with the provisions of point c).
e. The selling price per unit of measure shall be indicated in smaller typeface characters than those used in the display of the final price.
f. In retail establishments where products are sold by weight or electronic scales that issue tickets (either paper or electronic) are used, compliance with the requirements outlined in section c) will not be mandatory.
g. The final prices of products displayed on the shelves of commercial establishments must coincide with the price actually charged at checkout lines.
h. Those who offer directly to the public services rendered from, to and abroad, can comply with the provisions of this Resolution by displaying and advertising the prices of such services in U.S. dollars.
On the other hand, the Resolution establishes that prices must be displayed clearly, visible, horizontally, and legibly.
These display conditions apply to each article, product or group of the same merchandise that is exposed to the sight and reach of the consumer. Also, when the price is displayed by means of lists, these must be exhibited in the places of access, sale or attention, in view of the public in physical and/or digital format. On the other hand, the Resolution establishes that in no case shall consumers be prevented from accessing the prices displayed prior to the decision to purchase the goods marketed.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Resolution shall imply penalties pursuant to Decree No. 274 of 2019 and/or Law No. 24,240, and its amendments. However, the provisions of item c) of section 2 shall be governed by the penalty system set forth in Law No. 11,683 on Tax Procedures.
Finally, the Resolution repealed Resolutions No. 7/2002 and 55/2002 of the former Secretary of Antitrust, Deregulation and Consumer Protection of the Ministry of Economy.
