Customs Information

Colombia - All

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Colombia

  • Notarized passport at a Colombian notary (must include blank pages)
  • Working visa for each family member, valid for at least 12 months (non-diplomats) (6-month minimum for unaccompanied baggage for foreign and returning citizens)
  • Residence certificate issued by Colombian Consulate overseas declaring residence abroad for more than 2 years (returning citizens)
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) (2 copies) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Comprehensive packing list (no “packed by owner” / PBO)
  • Detailed inventory in Spanish and typewritten, without values
  • Declaracion de Viajeros O De Equipajes No Acompanados (foreigners, returning citizens)
  • Diplomatic permit (diplomats)
  • Import declaration form (diplomats)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • An owner of the goods must be at least 18 years old to import a household goods shipment and present for Customs clearance.
  • The shipment must arrive to the designated Colombian port within 120 days from owner of the goods’ last date of entry to Colombia.
  • The following conditions apply to import shipments for returning citizens:
    • Less than 2 years abroad, the returning citizen can only bring back what was originally exported.
    • 2+ years abroad, returning citizen pays 15% of the assessed value of shipment. 
    • 3+ years abroad, the returning citizen can bring in goods duties & tax exempt. The owner of the goods must prove time abroad for a period of at least 36 months.
      • In this case the owner of the goods must complete the registration online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage and send the “CERTIFICADO DE BENEFICIARIOS DE LA LEY 1565 DE 2012” to the moving company. Please note that it usually takes 2 months on average to obtain this document. 
    • During any visit to Columbia during the 36 month period, the owner of the goods must not have exceeded 15 days temporary stay.
    • The owner of the goods cannot have imported a household goods shipment in the last 5 years.
    • The owner of the goods must obtain a certificate issued by the Colombian Consulate at origin, which may serve as proof of time abroad.

    Customs clearance takes approximately 10-12 days plus 2 days of transit to an owner of the goods’ residence under normal conditions.

  • All shipments are subject to physical inspection, except diplomatic shipments.
  • The time limit for arrival of a household goods shipment by a non-diplomat is 30 calendar days prior to or after arrival of the shipment.
    • Upon arrival, Customs initiates a 30-calendar day limit to clear the shipment beginning the day of arrival at the airport or port.
  • Diplomatic shipments are cleared without a physical inspection at the airport or port of arrival.
  • Returning Colombian diplomats must use the diplomatic permit with 6 months of completion of an employment contract (with an embassy, Consulate and authorized organization) at origin to use the diplomatic permit and qualify for duty- and tax-free entry of the shipment.
  • The Declaracion de Viajeros O De Equipajes No Acompanados must be completed at the airport and stamped by Customs authorities upon arrival.
    • The cost of the shipment will be approximately USD 1,500.00 if the owner of the goods has been outside the country for a period of 7 days and USD 2,500.00 if out of the country at least 7 days.
  • For unaccompanied baggage, foreigners and returning citizens must prove time abroad for at least 7 calendar days. 
  •       If you have a sea shipment, Unaccompanied Baggage per household must not exceed total net weight 600 lbs and is limited to clothes, shoes, toys, documents, sports equipment and no more than three small appliances of each kind. For example: 1 TV, 1 laptop & 1 coffee maker. If you just have an air shipment and no sea shipment, there is no restriction on weight.
  • Only one shipment of unaccompanied baggage can be imported per family during a 12 months period. 
    • Contact the destination agent for import restrictions.
  • Diplomats must be duly registered at the ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to shipment arrival. 
    • Confirm registration by contacting the destination agent prior to import.
  • Foreign diplomats must obtain a diplomatic permit for clearance through an embassy, Consulate or diplomatic organization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
    • The diplomatic permit takes approximately 18-20 business days to approve by the Ministry.
  • Household goods shipments are subject to duties and taxes of approximately 15% cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value, except diplomatic shipments. 
    • Consular notarized inventories do not exempt the payment of duties.
  • The value of the household goods on which the duties and taxes are charged is calculated after the Customs inspection.
  • The pre-alert must state the actual weights, and/or volumes, delivery details, etc.
  • Wooden crates must show an ISPM-15 stamp proving certification.
  • Customs will confiscate goods in the following cases:
    • Excess of the allowance authorized (e.g., more than one electric appliance)
    • Destined for different purposes to those for which goods were imported
    • Arrival outside the established period of time (30 days after or 30 days before)
  • No commercial quantities are permitted for import.
    • Every shipment arriving to Colombia causes: Storage in Transit charges, Container demurrage, duties and taxes.

    • MOTOR VEHICLES

    • Customs clearance takes approximately 3-4 weeks from the date of arrival at the airport or port.
    • Non-diplomats are subject to duties and taxes of approximately 15%-85% on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value. 
      • The cost is determined using several factors.
    • Returning Colombian diplomats must personally obtain a diplomatic permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
      • It takes approximately 15-20 business days to obtain approval by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
    • The antipollution control certificate must state that all parts and accessories are functional and do not adversely affect the environment. 
      • It must be legalized by the Colombian embassy or Consulate at origin. 
      • The certificate must be obtained from the vehicle assembler at origin for vehicles manufactured in 1997 or later (returning Columbian diplomats).
    • Only diplomats who are duly registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may import new or used motor vehicles in Columbia with a valid diplomatic permit.
    • The diplomatic permit must be obtained prior to vehicle arrival in Colombia as it is required to get approval for the import license from the Incomex Institute. 
      • Once the license is approved, the Department of Environment will issue a quality certificate granting permission to import the vehicle (approximately 5 days).
    • Diplomats must pay an IVA tax, which ranges between 15%-45% on the CIF value, depending on the cylinder capacity of the automobile.
    • Foreign diplomats are exempt from duty and tax payments on motor vehicle imports.
    • Foreign diplomats are not required to obtain approval of the import license prior to import.
      • However, foreigners and returning citizens must obtain approval prior to import.
    • Returning Colombian diplomats must use the diplomatic permit with 6 months of completion of an employment contract (with an embassy, Consulate or authorized organization) at origin to use the diplomatic permit and qualify for duty- and tax-free entry of a motor vehicle.
    • Non-diplomats may only import new vehicles manufactured in the current year with 000 kilometers / mileage. 
    • The emission certificate must be processed directly to the automobile’s owner. 
      • It is requested by the Ministry of Industry and Trade as support to issue the import license.
    • Do not import a motor vehicle with a household goods shipment prior to consulting with 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 prior to import to ensure that all requirements have been met.
    • DO NOT SHIP VEHICLES UNTIL ALL DOCUMENTS ARE IN ORDER
    • NON-COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN SEIZURE/STORAGE OF SHIPMENT AT GREAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSE

    Documents required:

    • Owner’s passport
    • Identification card (returning citizens)
    • Purchase invoice in USD (preferred)
    • OBL (2) / AWB (2)
    • Import license approved by Customs at origin
    • Original commercial invoice with full vehicle description, including accessories
    • Diplomatic permit (diplomats)
    • Antipollution control certificate (emissions certificate) from the manufacturer or vehicle assembly company
    • Valid visa for at least 12 months (diplomats, foreigners)
    • List of vehicle specifications

    PETS

    • The vaccination record must contain updated rabies information at least 30 days prior to arrival.
    • A pre-alert should be sent 2 days prior to the pet’s arrival.
    • To import dogs and cats, the owner of the goods must purchase a special permit (Permiso Zoosantiario) at the airport of the pet’s arrival. 
      • The permit costs between USD 30-35 and must be paid in Colombian pesos.
    • If a pet travels as accompanied baggage (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 send all documents with the AWB.
    • For pets traveling as unaccompanied baggage, the AWB must read:  “Live Animal “Descargue Directo.”
      • Upon arrival, a Customs agent will initial the import license and clearance will commence the following business day.
    • Contact the destination prior to import for information regarding the import of animals other than dogs and cats.
    Documents Required
    • Vaccination record
    • Original veterinary health certificate
    • Copy of pet passport
    • Import license (pets arriving as unaccompanied baggage)
    • Original AWB (pets arriving as unaccompanied baggage)

    DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

    • Firearms and collection weapons (authorization from the Colombian Ministry of Defense is required and must be obtained prior to import)
    • Bedroom sets (only one bedroom set per family member)
    • Only one type of major appliance can be imported, excluding televisions
    • Televisions (2 maximum) 

    PROHIBITED ITEMS

    • Weapons, ammunition and explosives
    • Drugs and narcotics
    • Pornographic material
    • Uniforms or equipment relating to the Police or Armed Forces
    • Liquor / spirits
    • Food items
    • Autos, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, golf carts, etc.
    • Construction materials
    • ~.Jewelry
    • Cash