Customs Regulations in Colombia

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Original Passport for customer and all family members
• Visa (mandatory for consignee) valid for at least one year
• Residence or Work Visa
• Foreigners must apply for Work or Residence Permit
• Certificate of Residence issued by the Colombian Consulate, certifying that owner has lived abroad for at least two continuous years
• Inventory (in Spanish)
  • Inventory must show:
  • For ALL MAJOR APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, roasters, TVs, VCRs, stereos, small personal computers, etc.) state the MAKE, MODEL, AND SERIAL NUMBER
  • If possible, pack all electronic appliances together
  • Transmittal documents showing actual weights and/or volume, delivery details, etc.
  • Diplomats must have Diplomatic Entry Form, to be requested from Foreign Ministry by Diplomatic Mission

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Only one household goods shipment from one country allowed per family
• All shipments pay duty, import tax, sales tax (VAT), and warehouse fees which are charged to customer's account
• Owner must have lived outside of the country for at least two years
• Owner must not have imported any household goods in the last seven years
• Customs may ask for Bank Guarantee that goods will not be sold for one year
• Shipments 100% inspected
• Household goods must arrive within 30 days before or 120 days after the arrival of the customer

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• Duties/taxes on C.I.F. value of household goods are assessed
• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in small quantities are subject to duties and sales tax (Import License may be required)
• One sporting weapon is permitted per family
• Only one of each major electrical appliance is allowed, except air conditioners which are limited to three
• Bedroom furniture must correspond to the number of persons in the family

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons, ammunition and explosives
• Drugs and narcotics
• Pornographic material
• Uniforms or equipment relating to the Police or Armed Forces

MOTOR VEHICLES

• As of 1/1/94 no USED automobile may be imported into Colombia
• Import License is required and MUST be obtained prior to arrival of auto
• Do not include an auto as part of the household goods shipment
• 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:
  • Original Commercial Invoice (detailed and in US dollars)
  • Title
  • Registration
  • Copy of Bill of Sale
  • ALL DOCUMENTS (Invoice, etc.) must agree with the Import License

PETS

• Vaccination Certificate
• Import License
• Notarized Health Certificate from Veterinarian
• Quarantine IS NOT required for cats and dogs
• Contact destination agent prior to forwarding