I try to find information that can make border crossings easier on my trip and found Life Remotely. Here was plenty of useful information but I reproduces only the short version in respect for the great job they had done. So those who need more information should visit Life Remotely.
Argentina to Chile at Avanzada Monte Aymond: Border Crossing
Border name: Avanzada Monte Aymond or Paso Integral Austral
Closest major cities: Rio Gallegos, Argentina and Cerro Sombrero, Chile
Cost for visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes
The Steps
- Drive past the first Argentinian building, across the actual frontera, and park outside the new combined border building with the huge Chilean shields on it.
- If long lines, acquire a Chilean tourist card form and a Chilean SAG customs declaration form to complete while standing in line.
- Go to counter #1, Argentinian immigration. Hand over your passport and the tourist card you received on entry. The official will stamp both and return your passport.
- This official will also ask to see your vehicle title. He will return it with a vehicle release paper which you need to have stamped 5 times in order to leave the border.
- Move down the counter to #2, Chilean immigration. Hand over your passport, the tourist card you filled out in line, and the paper for stamping. Like usual, the official will stamp your passport, tourist card and the vehicle release paper.
- Move to #3, the Argentinian aduana counter. Hand over your Argentinian vehicle permit and the vehicle release paper. The official will stamp and return both.
- Move to counter #4, Chilean aduana. Hand over your title, driver’s passport, the Argentinian vehicle permit and the release paper. The official enters info in the computer, prints out your permit and stamps the release paper. He returns all papers including your new Chilean permit.
- Go to #5, SAG or Chilean Food and Agriculture desk. Hand over your customs declaration forms. The official will ask questions about what type of things you have to declare. He will stamp your vehicle release form and note on the form what types of goods you are declaring.
- Return to your vehicle, drive to the SAG checkpoint. An official in the green SAG vest may search your vehicle. They will confiscate fresh produce and fruits, honey, raisins, raw meat and raw eggs.
- When the search is complete, the SAG official will keep your vehicle release paper (that should have 5 stamps), and let you through.
CUSTOMS NOTE: As usual when entering Chile, expect to be searched for prohibited items. There is a HUGE list of what must be declared, but declaring doesn’t mean it will be confiscated. However, if you fail to declare and you are searched (which is very likely) you will be charged a big fat fine and they will take absolutely everything on the declare list without mercy. Customs agents will always take fresh fruit and vegetables, raw meat, honey, raisins, cheese and eggs. They occasionally will take other items, but for us it has been rare.