Customs Regulations in Colombia

Document- and Good-Standards*

Documents Required

• Passport notarized by a Colombian notary (must contain blank pages)
• Working visa for each family member, valid for at least 12 months (6 months minimum for unaccompanied baggage for foreign and returning citizens)
• Residence certificate issued by the Colombian consulate residing abroad for more than 2 years (returnees)
• Original consignment note – OBL / Air Waybill – AWB (2 copies)
• Comprehensive packing list / PBO
• Detailed inventory typed in Spanish, without values
• Statement by Viajeros O Equipajes No Acompanados (foreigners, returning citizens)
• Diplomatic Approval (Diplomats)
• Import declaration form (diplomats)

Specific Information

• The owner of the goods must be at least 18 years old to import household goods and present them for customs clearance.
• The consignment must arrive at the designated Colombian port within 120 days of the last date of entry into Colombia.
• The following conditions apply to the import for returning citizens:
  • The owner of the goods must prove that he has spent at least 2 years abroad.
  • During the 2-year period, the owner of the goods may not spend more than 15 days in Colombia.
  • The owner of the goods may not have imported household goods in the last 5 years.
  • The owner of the goods must be issued a certificate from the Colombian consulate in the country of origin, which serves as evidence of the stay abroad.
  • Colombian returnees can apply for duty and tax exemption for importing their household goods to Colombia if they have been living abroad for at least three years.
    • In this case, the owner of the goods must register online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and send the “CERTIFICADO DE BENEFICIARIOS DE LA LEY 1565 DE 2012” to the removal company.
• Under normal conditions, customs clearance takes approximately 10 – 12 days plus 2 days transfer to the owner’s home.
• All shipments are subject to physical inspection, except for diplomatic shipments.
• The deadline for the arrival of a household delivery from a non-diplomat is 30 calendar days before or after the shipment arrives.
  • Upon arrival, Customs will initiate a deadline of 30 calendar days to release the shipment from the day of arrival at the airport or port.
• Returning Colombian diplomats must use the diplomatic license at the country of origin, 6 months after signing a contract of employment (with embassy, consulate and authorized organization), to use the diplomatic permit and to apply for duty-free and tax-free importation of the shipment to qualify.
• The declaration of Viajeros O Equipajes No Acompanados must be completed at the airport and stamped upon arrival by the customs authorities.
  • The cost of delivery is approximately USD 1,500.00 if the owner of the goods has spent up to 7 days outside the country and USD 2,500.00 for a stay of 7 days outside the country.
• For unaccompanied baggage, foreigners and returning citizens must have spend at least 7 calendar days abroad.
• Within a period of 12 months, only one delivery of unaccompanied baggage can be introduced per family.
  • Contact the destination agent for import restrictions.
• Diplomats must be duly registered before arriving at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Confirm the registration by contacting the target agent before importing.
• Foreign diplomats must obtain diplomatic clearance by a foreign ministry embassy, consulate or diplomatic organization.
  • The diplomatic clearance takes about 18-20 business days to be approved by the ministry.
• Deliveries of goods are subject to customs duties and taxes of approximately 15%, as well as insurance and freight costs (CIF), with the exception of diplomatic consignments.
  • Stocks notarised by the consulate are not exempt from levies.
• The value of the household goods for which the duties and taxes are calculated is calculated according to the customs control.
• The warning must indicate the actual weights and / or volumes, delivery details, etc.
• Wooden boxes must be ISPM-15 certified.
• Customs confiscates goods in the following cases:
  • Exceeding the permissible quantity (eg more than one electrical device)
  • Intended for purposes other than those for which goods have been imported
  • Arrivals outside the specified period (30 days after or 30 days before)
• For the import no commercial quantities are allowed.

Motorized Vehicles*

Documents Required

• Passport of the owner
• ID card (returning citizens)
• Purchase in USD (preferred)
• OBL (2) / AWB (2)
• Import authorization approved by customs at origin
• Original commercial invoice with complete vehicle description including accessories
• Diplomatic Approval (Diplomats)
• Certificate of contamination control (emission certificate) from the manufacturer or vehicle mechanic
• Valid visa for at least 12 months (diplomats, foreigners)
• List of vehicle specifications

Specific Information

• Customs clearance takes approximately 3-4 weeks from the day of arrival at the airport or port.
• Non-diplomats are subject to customs duties and taxes of approximately 15% -85% of the cost, insurance and freight (CIF) values.
  • The costs are determined by several factors.
• Returning Colombian diplomats must obtain diplomatic clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • It takes about 15-20 business days to get a Foreign Ministry approval.
• The contamination control certificate must state that all parts and accessories are functional and not harmful to the environment.
• It must be legalized by the Colombian Embassy or the Colombian Consulate.
• The certificate must be obtained from the vehicle manufacturer during production for vehicles manufactured in 1997 or later (returning Colombian diplomats).
• Only diplomats, whom are registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may, with a valid diplomatic authorization, import new or used motor vehicles into Colombia.
• Diplomatic clearance must be obtained prior to the arrival of the vehicle in Colombia as it must be approved by the Incomex Institute.
  • Once the license is approved, the Ministry of the Environment will issue a quality certificate authorizing the vehicle to be imported (approximately 5 days).
• Diplomats must pay an IVA tax of between 15% and 45% of the CIF, depending on the cylinder capacity of the car.
  • Foreign diplomats are exempt from customs and tax payments for car imports.
• Foreign diplomats do not need to obtain an import license prior to importation.
• Foreigners and returning citizens must, however, obtain a permit prior to importation.
  • Foreigners and returning citizens must, however, obtain a permit prior to importation.
• Returning Colombian diplomats must use diplomatic clearance at the place of origin 6 months after signing a contract of employment (with embassy, ​​consulate or authorized organization) to use diplomatic clearance and qualify for duty-free and tax-free entry of a motor vehicle,
• Non-diplomats may only import new vehicles manufactured in the current year with a mileage of 000 km.
• The emission certificate must be submitted directly to the car owner.
  • It is required by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to assist in issuing the import license.
• Do not import a car with household goods before contacting the destination agent.
• A list of vehicle specifications must include the details of the vehicle, including: make, model, year of manufacture, engine power, etc.
• It is recommended that all documents be received by the destination agent before import to ensure that all requirements are met.

Pets

Documents Required

• vaccination protocol
• Original Veterinary health certificate
• Copy of pet passport
• Import license (pets arriving as unaccompanied baggage)
• Original AWB (pets arriving as unaccompanied baggage)

Specific Information

• The vaccination certificate must contain updated rabies data at least 30 days prior to arrival.
• An early warning should be sent 2 days before the arrival of the pet.
• To import dogs and cats, the owner of the goods must obtain a special permit (Permiso Zoosantiario) at the arrival airport.
  • Approval costs between USD 30-35 and must be paid in Colombian pesos.
• When a pet travels as accompanying luggage (with the owner), the owner of the goods must personally meet all conditions and requirements upon entry.
• When sending a pet as unaccompanied baggage, the owner of the goods must submit all documents to the AWB.
• For pets traveling as unaccompanied baggage, the AWB must read: “Live Animal” / “Descargue Directo”.
  • Upon arrival, a customs agent will initiate the import license and clearance will commence on the following business day.
• Contact the destination prior to import for information about importing animals other than dogs and cats.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Firearms and handguns (a permit from the Colombian Ministry of Defense is required and must be obtained before importation)
• bedroom (only one bedroom per family member)
• Only one type of large equipment can be imported except TVs (maximum 2)

Note: The detailed inventory requires the product serial number for each item in the shipment.

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol / spirits
• Food
• Cars, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, golf carts etc.
• Construction materials
• Jewellery
• Cash

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements for the customs regulations in Colombia have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Websites: 

Travel.State.Gov – Colombia Country Info
USembassy.Gov – Colombia

Cultural and Other Information:

CIA World Factbook Entry for Colombia
Wikipedia Entry for Colombia

The preceding conditions for the customs regulations in Colombia are provided by the International Association of Movers – IAM. For more information please visit: http://www.iamovers.org/

* Depending on your personal situation, the following documents for the customs regulations in Colombia may be relevant. For individual cases or specific information, click here –  we and our agents are at your disposal.

All specifications are without guarantee and based on our own research. We do not take any claim of completeness as well as correctness. We cannot guarantee that the content is updated and accurate and suggest to the concerned people that it is urgently required to obtain the current information from official authorities and involved service providers like customs agents in the respective importing countries before the individual removal project starts.