COLOMBIA
Imports into Colombia
Colombia has a complex customs system that requires additional setup for new importers. The process for establishing a customs account for a new or first time importer can take 2-4 weeks. For this reason, we strongly recommend that whenever possible, confirm if the Colombian importer is registered with Colombian customs. If they are NOT registered, we can assist them with registration but we advise to HOLD any potential shipments until the registration process is complete. This will help avoid storage charges at destination. If you are unsure if the importer is registered with Colombian customs you may contact our customer service team and provide the full consignee and importer details which will allow us to check the importer’s status with Colombian customs.
If the importer is NOT registered with Colombian Customs we will require the following documents from the importer to register them with Columbian Customs before submitting the customs entry in Colombia :
- Certificate of Chamber of Commerce issued within the last 30 days
- ID card of the legal representative
- RUT (Tax ID) issued within the last 30 days
- Bank certification
- 2024 financial statements with corresponding notes
- Copy of the income tax return
- Completed form D2-DI FT 3 Client Visit Report V4
- Completed form E-BMA Client Management V6
- Foundation bylaws including the board of directors
- Accountant’s certificate for the financial statements
- Statutory auditor’s opinion
- Copy of the professional license of the accountant who signed the financial statements:
- Electronic invoicing resolution
Documents required for Colombia customs clearance as follows:
- Original Commercial Invoice
- Original Packing List
- You must provide the consignees NIT number which is a local Tax ID on the documents prior to export
- Textiles, footwear and their parts require anticipated import filing, in which customs entry must be made, minimum of 5 days/maximum of 15 days, prior to cargo arrival.
** all originals must be signed in blue ink and company stamped.
Your commercial invoice must include the currency of the values listed. It should also include unit value and number of units sold. Identifying the HTS code on the invoice is also helpful in classifying the item properly with the local customs office.
A schedule B # or HTS code is required for every shipment prior to export.
If the value exceeds $2500 value, please also provide a completed SLI to ExFreight or complete the export declaration on the ExFreight website.
If your booking is Full Container (FCL), a VGM form must be completed before documentation cutoff date.
Please provide a scanned copy of the documents to ExFreight prior to freight departure.
Shipments to a military base may require additional fees and paperwork if the base requires an exclusive truck for delivery or bonded delivery.
The following commodities may require additional paperwork and or special import licenses:
- Medicines
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Tobacco products
- Medical devices
- Human drugs or medicines
- Veterinary products or medicines
- Alcohol
- Electronics
- Chemicals
- Products made of wood
- Firearms, weapons or military equipment
- Fireworks
- Plants
Prohibited items:
- Counterfeit items, currency etc.
- Pornography
Important: Exercise independent care before relying on information contained herein. Although we strive to ensure all information is correct and current, ExFreight assumes no liability for detrimental reliance on this information. Trade requirements may change with little or no prior notification, de-facto requirements in certain countries vary from official regulations, and particular shipments and/or importers may have special destination customs arrangements. We encourage you to check with the importer or its customs agent in the destination country for specific importation requirements for specific products and circumstances.
Exports from Colombia
Export Security Procedures – Colombia
Due to Colombia’s strict national security standards, a preliminary security report is required before the first shipment can proceed. This report must be completed annually for each new exporter. Since the approval process may take 3–5 business days, please ensure that all new shippers are registered well in advance of the planned departure to avoid delays.
Exfreight’s Customer Service team can connect your shipper directly with our local agent in Colombia to initiate the process.
As part of the registration and reporting requirements:
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Both our Transport and Customs departments must collect the shipper’s corporate legal documents (incorporation and related filings).
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The shipper must also register Exfreight’s Colombian agent in the DIAN online system. This registration is mandatory to complete the procedures for presenting cargo at the airport, clearing Colombian Customs, and undergoing Anti-Narcotics Police inspection.
Completion of these steps ensures that cargo can be delivered and exported from Colombia without disruption.
Additional resource www.trade.gov
