ASUTIL, the South American Association of Free Stores is an international civil association of companies and institutions that operate in the area of the duty-free stores.
It was constituted as an association of private character, with no political nor profit purposes with its corresponding legalization dated August 7, 1995 before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay (MRREE).
It is governed by its own By-law, updated in December 2008, and by national and international regulations that apply.
On August 15, 1996, the headquarters of ASUTIL, in the city of Montevideo, the capital of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, was inaugurated, since it was originally established as an association that brought together duty-free businesses in South America.
Currently the association is based in Luis Alberto de Herrera 1248, tower 1, office 201, within the complex of the World Trade Center, the most modern commercial and financial center of Montevideo.
The official languages of the Association are Spanish and Portuguese.
Their leitmotiv is to watch over their progress, advising them, protecting them and representing them before governmental entities and actions that put in danger that these organizations reach the highest degree of perfection, influence and international representation.
In short, to be, every day an entity that represent, gather and link those who operate in the tax-free sector, while achieving efficiently and effectively, its maximum production and development.
To be the maximum reference, in LATAM, in the market of tax-free shops, and to become the association that reaches the highest degree of perfection, influence and international representation for all those companies and institutions that belong to duty-free market.
Its most immediate objectives are: