Argentina has lifted restrictions on scrap exports, Kallanish reports. The move is part of a broader trade liberalisation effort aimed at encouraging recycling, creating opportunities for small businesses, and opening new international markets, according to Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation Federico Sturzenegger.

“[Argentinian] President Javier Milei remains firm that the state's power should not be used to redistribute income among market players arbitrarily. That is why we decided not to renew the scope of decrees 1040/20 and 70/23, which banned the export of ferrous scrap,” Sturzenegger shares on social media platform X.

The minister criticised the export ban, stating it had suppressed local scrap prices, discouraged recycling, and hindered the development of recycling businesses across vast sectors of the economy. “The elimination of such measures is the triumph of freedom over lobbying,” he adds.

Argentina imposed scrap export restrictions on 8 January 2009, covering materials classified under HS codes 7204.10.00, 7204.21.00, 7204.29.00, 7204.30.00, 7204.41.00, 7204.49.00, 7204.50.00, 7404.00.00 and 7602.00.00. Initially set for 180 days, the measure was extended to 360 days the following year and has been renewed annually since then.