IMPORT DESTINATION

Importing Into 🇨🇴 Colombia

CUSTOMS AUTHORITYDirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN)

STANDARD VAT19%

DE MINIMIS (USD)US$200

De Minimis Threshold

THRESHOLD (USD)

US$200

LOCAL CURRENCY

USD 200

Shipments below this value may enter without customs duty. VAT may still apply depending on local rules.

Postal and courier shipments up to USD 200 value from countries with a free-trade agreement with Colombia enter duty-free. Above USD 200 (or from non-FTA origins), the 10% Plan Vallejo simplified duty plus 19% VAT applies.

As of: 2022-01-01

VAT / GST on Imports

19%

STANDARD VAT / GST RATE

Applied on the customs value (CIF — cost, insurance, freight) plus any applicable duties.

Required Documentation

#	Document
01	Declaración de Equipaje (arrival)
02	RUT (Registro Único Tributario) for commercial importers
03	Commercial Invoice and Packing List
04	Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
05	Certificate of Origin for FTA preference
06	Registro Sanitario (INVIMA) for regulated products
07	ICA phytosanitary / veterinary certificate for plant and animal products

Requirements vary by shipment value, HS chapter, and origin country. Learn about each document type →

Restricted Import Categories

⚠Firearms and ammunition (INDUMIL authorisation + Ministerio de Defensa permit)
⚠Pharmaceuticals (INVIMA registration; personal prescription exception)
⚠Agricultural produce (ICA phytosanitary + veterinary permit)
⚠Cultural property (ICANH export permit — applies on departure as well as on entry for unregistered pieces)
⚠Endangered species products (Ministerio de Ambiente + CITES)

Prohibited Import Categories

✗Narcotics and psychotropic substances (Policía Nacional / DIAN)
✗Counterfeit goods
✗Obscene material
✗Nuclear and radioactive materials without Ministerio de Minas authorisation

Special Notes

01Declaración de Equipaje is completed on arrival; random inspection is frequent at Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and Barranquilla.
02Colombia has FTAs with the US, EU, EFTA, Canada, South Korea, Chile, Mexico, CAN (Andean Community) and others — preferential duty requires a Certificate of Origin.
03Currency controls via Banco de la República apply to imports; FX settlement for commercial imports must go through authorised dealers.
04Declaración de Equipaje: completed on arrival; random inspection is frequent at Bogotá El Dorado (BOG), Medellín José María Córdova (MDE), Cartagena (CTG) and Barranquilla (BAQ). Bring purchase receipts for electronics and high-value items.
05FTA preference: Colombia has comprehensive FTAs with the US, EU, EFTA, Canada, South Korea, Chile, Mexico, the Andean Community (CAN), Pacific Alliance, and Mercosur — preferential duty requires the appropriate certificate of origin (USMCA, EU Form A, etc.).
06Foreign exchange: Banco de la República regulates currency flows; commercial-import FX settlement must use authorised dealer banks (intermediarios cambiarios). Personal-import parcel FX is not affected.
07Coca and indigenous products: traditional coca leaf products and certain indigenous medicinal items are protected under Colombian law; export of these requires a Ministry of Culture export permit.
08Tarifa Andina: certain CAN-bloc imports get reduced duty; check Tariff Heading 80 for full schedule.