Sell in Latin America without moving there
The question I get most: “I live abroad — can I sell on Mercado Libre without relocating?” You can. There are four routes that work. They differ in speed, in what you put in up front, and in how much of the work you do yourself.
The four options side by side
All four work. Which one fits depends on how much you want to put in at the start, what you want to own outright, and whether you already have a company.
Your own company
Renting my company
PartnershipSIMPLEST
Subsidiary
Prices and what's included are in each option's breakdown — links on the cards. I prepare an exact quote for your case and send it within 24 hours.
What sits behind any of these options
This is not brokering over chat. Everything below is on the ground, in Buenos Aires.
Our own warehouse
Receiving, storage, order picking and dispatch into Full. Handling is manual, and the stock sits where I live. Warehouse terms →
An account already trading
A dashboard with history and reputation you can start selling through in the first week, while your own structure is still being set up.
Contractors we have tested
A customs broker, accountants, a lawyer for trademark registration, and real human translators into Spanish and Portuguese.
Product report
A breakdown of your product across all 18 Mercado Libre countries and neighbouring marketplaces: volume, prices, competitors, customs and what the seller keeps. $250, 3–5 days. Sample and order →
The numbers before the money
Unit economics and customs charges are worked out in advance. Free calculator → and the PRO bundle with the customs calculator.
Six markets we actually know
Commissions, shipping, taxes and thresholds country by country. Country breakdown →
First-hand experience, not recycled guides
I sell on Mercado Libre from Argentina and bring goods in from China myself. Everything I publish has been tested on my own shipments. Blog →
How to choose
Partnership. You spend nothing on structure, sell through an account and warehouse that already work, and pay with a share of the profit.
Renting the company. Within one to two weeks you have a working dashboard, a bank account and the ability to clear goods through customs.
Your own company. Slower and dearer, but the reputation, the history and the recoverable customs taxes all work in your favour.
Most people go in that order: test as partners, then build volume, and only then set up their own company. It costs less than pouring money into structure before you understand the market.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sell on Mercado Libre from abroad without relocating?
Yes. Three models work: incorporate remotely using a power of attorney, rent my trading company, or work as partners through my account and warehouse. None of the three requires you to fly over.
How much does it cost to open a company in Latin America?
The ballpark is 3,000 to 6,500 USD to incorporate. The range is wide because it depends on the country, the company type and whether a foreign shareholder needs a separate registration. Add accounting from 400 USD a month. I prepare the exact quote for the specific case and send it within a day.
How long does a remote incorporation take?
Realistically 6 to 10 weeks. The power of attorney and the bank account are what take longest. The registration itself in Argentina goes through in a few days — since June 2026 it is fully digital.
Why do you have to be the administrator rather than me?
By law a company in Latin America must have an administrator who lives in the country. That is the law's requirement, not the marketplace's. Until you have local residency I cover that role. You stay the owner throughout: the money, the goods and the decisions are yours. If you come in person we get the tax number and proof of residence in your name, and you become the administrator yourself.
Do I need a bank account if I already have Mercado Pago?
If you plan to import, yes, it is essential. Paying a Chinese supplier goes through the foreign exchange market, and only banks have access to it. Mercado Pago does not handle FX. Without an account you can only work by buying goods inside the country, but then customs taxes are not recoverable and your unit cost is roughly one and a half times higher.
Can an Argentine company be opened under an existing foreign company?
Yes. Under article 123 of law 19.550 a foreign company registers with the registry in order to be a shareholder of an Argentine one. Since May 2026 IGJ resolution 4/2026 has simplified it: the requirements are in a single list and apostilled digital documents are accepted. There is a second route, a branch under article 118, but for a marketplace it is usually worse because it does not separate liability.
Can a Russian company be the shareholder of an Argentine one?
Legally it is allowed. Argentina did not join the sanctions against Russia, and both the reciprocal investment protection agreement and the double taxation treaty remain in force. There is no prohibition.
Which pays off better, your own company or a partnership?
At the start, almost always the partnership: you spend nothing on structure and find out whether the product sells at all. Once the numbers add up, your own company pays off better, because importing through your own entity recovers customs taxes, and that is roughly a one-and-a-half-times difference in unit cost.
Tell me about your case
Answer three questions and I will suggest the model that suits you, and help you weigh the prospects before you spend anything.
Which country?
Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay — or undecided so far.
Which product?
The category and rough volume. If you already sell it in your home market, all the better — we will have something to compare against.
Where do you ship from?
From China, or you plan to work with local suppliers on the ground.