Uruguay - Argentina border crossing
- Jon Berry
- Apr 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9
There are three road border crossings between Uruguay and Argentina:
Salto
Paysandu
Fray Bentos
This post highlights our chosen crossing, the northernmost crossing from Uruguay (Salto) to Argentina (Concordia).
The crossing typically takes around one hour, including passport control, vehicle inspection, and registration for both vehicles and animals.
This is not a drive-through system, so instead of heading straight over to the inspection lane you will have to park your vehicle and prepare for the crossing.
Ample parking spaces are available for you to stop and organise your documents before heading to the offices.
1 - People passport control
Passport control occurs inside the office, where a border officer will assist you.
You may be asked about your port or airport of arrival in South America and your destination in Argentina (an estimated route is acceptable).
The process is simple and straightforward. You will receive a ticket to present to the officers when crossing with your vehicle.
2 - Vehicle registration
Once your passports have been checked you can cross to the other side of the road (Argentinian entry to Uruguay) to liaise with the Uruguayan officers. The TIP (temporary import permit) must be signed out of Uruguay first before it can be signed into Argentina.
Simply cross over to the Uruguayan side through the middle of the office. An officer will guide you to the Uruguayan office to get the TIP signed out.
Our tip: Take a photo of the TIP once stamped, as the original document is retained by the authorities.
Now, cross back to the Argentinian side, where you will be guided to their offices to obtain the Argentinian TIP.
Note: The Argentinian TIP is valid for 90 days, whereas the Uruguayan is valid for a full year.
The entire process takes about half an hour, with friendly and helpful officers assisting you throughout.
Ensure this process is completed before bringing your vehicle over.
3 - Pet registration
A SENASA (National Department for Agrifood) representative typically sits next to the vehicle officer, allowing you to register your pet immediately after your vehicle is signed in.
You will need to present your CIV, which is the only required document, and you will receive the "all clear" within 5-10 minutes.
For more information on obtaining the CIV for your pet, visit our blog Travel with your dog from the EU to a Mercosur country.
4 - Best place to stay overnight after the crossing
The crossing is done, so now it's time to kick back and enjoy the view!
If you're looking for a spot to chill for a few hours or even spend the night, definitely check out Salto Grande Park, 3 miles after leaving Uruguay behind.
Playa Sol, in Salto Grande Park, is a peaceful place in a beautiful setting, great for bird watching.
You'll also come across Ayui Hot Springs Park, which not only has pools but also a fantastic water park for all ages, surrounded by a natural forest of pines and eucalyptus.
5 - Best place for shopping and admin after the crossing
Since you can't bring certain foods across, (check out the list below) you'll probably want to find a spot to grab groceries once you're on the other side.
Authorised Products
Canned fish, pork, poultry.
Dairy: pasteurised fluid milks, condensed milk, powdered milk, yogurt, butter, dulce de leche, cheeses made from pasteurized milks.
Processed fruits or vegetables: potato chips, fruits in syrup, vegetables in vinegar or other preservatives, canned fruits and vegetables, roasted and/or salted dry products (peanuts, almonds, etc.), canned or vacuum-packed vegetables.
Pork: Serrano and Iberian ham, Iberian loin, chopped or sliced, boneless, from the Kingdom of Spain, in vacuum packaging or original factory controlled atmosphere, duly labelled and identified and freely marketed in that country, as established in Resolution 655/2017.
Other products: jams, candied fruits, juices, sugar, oil.
Products not allowed
Food: home-made products, meat of any animal species, cured meats, sausages, hams, honey, dairy products and derivatives, foods without identification or label.
Vegetables: fresh fruits and vegetables; garden flowers and plants; fruit, ornamental and forest plants; Plants and their parts (seeds, roots, buds, etc.)
Live animals: in the case of pets, please read the entry requirements carefully.
Other products: animal feed, beekeeping products (wax, propolis, etc.), veterinary products (serums, vaccines and others), insects, bacteria, fungi, reproductive material and other microorganisms for research.
For more information, consult SENASA-Traveller Information.
Concordia is right across from the Uruguayan city of Salto, on the right hydrographic bank of the Uruguay River. With over 170,000 people living there, you'll find all the stores you need to stock up on food, get a mobile SIM card, or exchange money.
We used Concordia as a pit stop to recharge before kicking off our Argentinian adventure.
But we quickly realised there's so much more to explore in this super friendly town and its surroundings. Sadly, we had to skip some cool stuff this time, like checking out the therapeutic thermal pools.
Our recommendation: La Costanera is a renovated space by the bank of the river widely visited by families and groups of friends. It offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants and food trucks "Terrazas de la Costa", perfect to get a bite and something to drink whilst enjoying the river view.
"The love of one country is a splendid thing, but why should love stop at the boarder?" - Pablo Casals
Don't let stress deter you from the crossing. It's truly a straightforward and welcoming process. Enjoy your adventure on the other side!
