This overregulation of postal activity, according to the current administration, created barriers to entry into the market, restricting competition, which resulted in a poorer quality service and higher prices, harming the user of the service.
The Argentine government has proceeded to deregulate the postal service throughout the country, with the aim of allowing the entry of new companies in this sector and facilitating competition, as well as promoting security, transparency and digitalization in shipments.
This measure is part of the strategy of the Executive led by Javier Milei to reduce the weight of the Public Administration in favour of competition from the private sector. Among other things, in recent months the airline sector and the ground services at airports have been deregulated.
The measure was announced on Sunday afternoon by government spokesman Manuel Adorni and was made official on Monday after its publication in the Official Gazette of Argentina, in a text signed by the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation.
According to the new regulatory framework for internal and international postal services, excessive requirements for carrying out the activity and records that imply greater bureaucracy and less transparency have been eliminated.
To date, as the Government explains, this overregulation of postal activity has created barriers to entry into the market, restricting competition, which has resulted in a poorer quality service and higher prices, harming the user of the service.
Thus, the promotion of an economic system "based on free decisions, adopted in an area of free competition, with respect for private property and the constitutional principles of free circulation of goods, services and work" has been established. Likewise, the deregulation of trade and the elimination of all regulatory requirements "that restrict the supply of goods and services and impede free private initiative" have been arranged.
Individuals and/or legal entities wishing to carry out postal transport, distribution or delivery must register with the corresponding authority "in a simple, electronic, free and declarative manner" in order to report the postal service activities they will provide, together with a sworn declaration stating their unreserved acceptance and compliance with the requirements and demands established in the current regulations for the development of their activity.
The Government considers that some regulations are unnecessary, since they constitute excessive State interference in the sector, and others, due to technological advances, have become outdated, since various procedures could be carried out more efficiently through digital means.
For this reason, this deregulation has been carried out in accordance with the purpose of guaranteeing broad freedom in the circulation of goods and services, as well as simplifying and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that affect their provision.
