Mercado Libre for foreigners: how to buy and sell
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Mercado Libre is Argentina's main marketplace: new goods from shops and second-hand items from private sellers, with delivery across the country. You can browse listings without registering, but to buy, and especially to sell, you need an account with identity verification: for private sellers, Mercado Libre specifies an Argentine DNI. Without a DNI some features are unavailable — in that case, for second-hand items it is easier to use Russian-speaking marketplace groups and the "Market" on ArgHub, where you arrange things directly.
Can I use Mercado Libre without a DNI?
- Browsing and comparing prices — yes, without an account. It is a handy benchmark for what something costs in Argentina, whether you are buying or selling.
- Buying — you need an account; under its terms of use, Mercado Libre may ask for additional data to confirm your identity. Which documents it accepts from foreigners is not specified in its help pages — ask Mercado Libre support.
- Selling as a private individual — according to Mercado Libre's seller help, a "persona humana" only provides a DNI to start listing, but has limited access to built-in invoicing and extended logistics; a business seller must have a CUIT with ARCA.
- With a DNI for foreigners (issued after your residency is processed) — the seller help simply speaks of a DNI, without distinguishing citizens from foreigners. If you have just arrived and don't have a DNI yet, see the article about documents in the guide.
How do I buy on Mercado Libre?
- Find the item, look at the seller's rating (the coloured reputation scale and reviews) and how many sales they have.
- Check who is selling: a shop ("Tienda oficial") or a private person, new or used ("Usado").
- Pay inside the platform — through Mercado Pago, by card or other methods that Mercado Libre offers. That way the "Compra Protegida" purchase protection applies: the seller can't immediately access the money, and if there is a problem with the purchase, Mercado Libre may refund it.
- Choose delivery: to your home, to a pickup point, or collection from the seller.
- If the seller writes "transfer to me directly, it'll be cheaper", that takes you outside the platform's protection. Don't agree.
Can I return a purchase on Mercado Libre?
Under the consumer protection law, when you buy online from a business you have 10 calendar days from receipt to cancel the purchase using the "botón de arrepentimiento" (withdrawal button). The seller bears the cost of the return. The law grants this right in dealings with a "proveedor" — someone who sells professionally, even if only occasionally (art. 2 of law 24.240); it may not apply to a one-off sale of a used item by a private person. In addition, Mercado Libre has its own programme: many items can be returned free within 30 days of receipt, but conditions depend on the category (for example, cosmetics and nappies only if unopened, perishable products only if they arrived with a problem).
How do I sell on Mercado Libre?
- Create a listing: category, photos, description, condition ("Nuevo" / "Usado"), price.
- The platform charges a commission on the sale — a percentage of the price that depends on the category and the type of listing; a fixed fee depending on the price and delivery method may be added. The exact figures are shown when you publish and in Mercado Libre's cost simulator.
- Shipping — through Mercado Envíos (the platform provides the label) or meeting the buyer, if you allowed it.
- The money arrives in your Mercado Pago account; for the terms of withdrawing it to a bank account, see the Mercado Pago help pages.
- Selling regularly is already a business: then you need to register with ARCA (for example, monotributo). This is information, not tax advice.
How is Mercado Libre different from marketplace groups?
- — Mercado Libre — ArgHub "Market", Telegram marketplace groups
- Language — Spanish — Russian (and Spanish)
- Documents — An account with identity verification; for a seller, a DNI — Telegram or an ArgHub account
- Payment — Inside the platform, with purchase protection — Directly between people, at the meeting
- Commission — Yes, paid by the seller — No commission on the sale
- Delivery — Built-in, nationwide — You arrange it yourselves ArgHub doesn't process payment and is not a party to the deal: the buyer writes to the seller in the in-app chat, and they discuss the meeting and payment between themselves.
How do I avoid scammers on Mercado Libre?
- Don't leave the platform for WhatsApp in exchange for a "discount for a transfer".
- Don't follow "pay" links from private messages — pay only in the app.
- Check the seller's reputation and that the photos of the used item are real.
- The general rules are in the article "How to buy and sell second-hand safely in Buenos Aires".
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Do I need a DNI for Mercado Libre?
For selling as a private individual, Mercado Libre specifies a DNI; for purchases paid through Mercado Pago, you may also be asked to confirm your identity. Without a DNI your options are limited.
Can I return a Mercado Libre purchase?
When buying online from a professional seller, the law gives 10 calendar days to cancel (the "botón de arrepentimiento"); in addition, under Compra Protegida many items can be returned free within 30 days of receipt — conditions depend on the category.
Does the seller pay a commission?
Yes, it depends on the category and the type of listing; the exact amount is shown when you publish.
Can I pay the seller directly?
You can, but then the platform's purchase protection does not apply. It is safer to pay inside Mercado Libre.
Where can I sell a used item without a DNI?
In Russian-speaking marketplace groups and in the ArgHub "Market" section, where buyer and seller arrange things directly.