How to Cross into Argentina with a Rental Car

What the temporary exit permit is and when you need it

If you rent a car in Chile and want to cross into Argentina — for example, to visit San Martín de los Andes, Bariloche, or simply drive the route through Paso Cardenal Samoré from Puerto Montt — you need an official document called the Formulario Único Rent a Car (FU Rent a Car). Without it, the vehicle cannot legally leave the country.

This permit is processed by the rental company, not the tourist. It is issued by Chile's Customs Service (Aduana) through their online platform and is valid for a maximum of 90 calendar days. If the rental agreement or the international insurance policy expires sooner, the permit adjusts to the earliest expiration date.

When do you need it? Every time you cross the Chilean-Argentine border in a rented vehicle. Whether you are going for a day or for two weeks — without the FU Rent a Car, Carabineros, the PDI, or Customs at the border checkpoint can stop the vehicle from leaving.

How the process works step by step

The procedure has two parts: what the rental company does before the trip, and what you do at the border.

What the rental company does (before you pick up the car):

1. The company must be registered in the Customs rent-a-car vehicle registry. Every vehicle authorized to cross into Argentina is previously registered.
2. With your signed rental agreement and a valid international insurance policy, the company accesses the Customs system and generates the FU Rent a Car online.
3. Two copies are printed: one stays with the company and the other is given to you.

What you do at the border:

1. Present your ID or passport at the PDI checkpoint.
2. Hand over your copy of the FU Rent a Car to the Customs officer at the border crossing.
3. Show your valid rental agreement and, if requested, the insurance policy.
4. If everything is in order, the crossing is quick. The authorization is recognized by both countries, reducing paperwork and wait times.

Key fact: according to Argentina's AFIP, the rental company must also be registered with Argentine Customs and authorized to operate through the specific border crossing you choose. Not all companies have this registration active.

Documents to confirm before departure

Before getting in the car and heading toward Argentina, make sure everything on this list is sorted. If anything is missing, you will be turned back at the border:

• Printed FU Rent a Car — Generated by the rental company. Request your copy in advance, ideally 48 hours before the trip.
• Valid rental agreement — It must cover the full dates of your trip, including the international crossing.
• International insurance policy — Coverage that works in Argentina. Standard Chilean rental insurance policies generally do not cover outside the country.
• Identity document — Chilean national ID (for Chilean citizens) or valid passport (for foreign tourists).
• Valid driver's license — International license if you are a foreigner; national license if you are Chilean.
• Notarized authorization for minors — If you are traveling with children who are not yours, you need a notarized authorization as required by the PDI.

Common mistakes that leave tourists stranded at the border

Every season, travelers get stuck at the border because of errors that could have been avoided with a single phone call. These are the most frequent:

• Assuming any rental company allows crossing to Argentina. Not all of them are registered with Customs. If the company does not have an active registration, it cannot generate the FU Rent a Car and the vehicle will not be allowed to leave the country. Confirm this before booking.
• Requesting the permit on the same day of the trip. Although the process is digital, the company needs time to process it. Ideally, request it at least 48 hours in advance.
• Not verifying that the insurance covers Argentina. Standard CDW or DAT policies cover damage in Chile. For Argentina, you need additional international insurance. If you arrive at the border without it, you will not cross.
• Traveling with minors without notarized authorization. This is a PDI requirement, not a Customs one. If you are traveling with children and cannot prove authorization from both parents, the crossing stops there.
• Choosing a border crossing where the company is not authorized. According to Argentina's AFIP, the rental company must be authorized to operate through the specific crossing you choose. Not all crossings accept all rental companies.

Pre-departure checklist from Puerto Montt

If you are leaving from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas toward Argentina, you will most likely cross through Paso Cardenal Samoré (also known as Paso Puyehue), located about 4 hours away via Route CH-215 passing through Entre Lagos and Puyehue National Park. You can check the available routes from Puerto Montt to plan your itinerary. Before you go, review this list:

• Does the rental company have an active Customs registration for Argentina crossings?
• Did you receive a printed copy of the FU Rent a Car?
• Does the rental agreement cover all travel dates?
• Do you have valid international insurance for Argentina?
• Is your ID or passport current?
• Do you have a valid driver's license?
• Are you carrying notarized authorization if traveling with minors?
• Did you verify the operating hours of Paso Cardenal Samoré?
• Is the tank full? Gas stations are scarce on the route to the border.

If everything is checked, you are ready to cross.

What to know when returning to Chile

The return is simpler. When re-entering through the same border crossing (or another authorized one), you present the FU Rent a Car to Customs and your ID to the PDI. The permit covers multiple crossings while it remains valid, so if you plan to go back and forth several times during the rental period, you do not need a new document each time.

If the vehicle is damaged in Argentina, coverage depends exclusively on your international insurance policy. Contact your rental company and the insurer before moving the car. Learn more about our fleet and available coverage for international trips.

Rent from a company that has everything sorted

Not all rental companies in Puerto Montt offer the Argentina crossing service. Many do not even have their vehicles registered with Customs. If your plan includes crossing the border, choose a company that already has the process handled.

At Loki Rent a Car, we handle the Argentina crossing permit as part of our service. We take care of generating the FU Rent a Car, deliver all the documentation ready, and explain the entire process before you pick up the vehicle. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including roadside assistance if you need it on the other side of the border.

Planning to cross into Argentina? Book your car with international permit included and travel worry-free.