Roberta Aguirre
When travelling to Colombia, it's important to be aware of the customs regulations and duties that may apply. Customs duties are a tax imposed by the Colombian government on goods from other countries, and the rates vary depending on the category of goods. Most duties fall into three tariff levels: zero to five percent on capital goods, industrial goods, and raw materials not produced in Colombia; ten percent on manufactured goods; and 15 to 20 percent on consumer and sensitive goods. It's important to declare any amounts exceeding USD 10,000 upon arrival, and failure to do so may result in heavy questioning due to Colombia's strict drug-trafficking laws. Additionally, there are specific regulations for importing pets, with certain breeds of dogs being prohibited, and requirements for sanitary and vaccination certificates. Customs clearance must be completed at the airport or port of arrival, and can take up to 12 days, with physical inspections of shipments unless diplomatic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Import duty percentages | Vary for each category of goods |
| Taxable value | Based on the value of the goods, but can include other amounts |
| Airport tax | Collected upon ticket issuance or embarkation |
| Place of payment | Point of ticket sale or airport of departure |
| Exit Tax | USD 19, in cash only |
| Exemptions | Diplomatic officials, residents of Colombia for a stay abroad of max. 180 days, and non-residents of Colombia for a stay of max. 60 days |
| Customs form | "Declaracion de Viajeros O De Equipajes No Acompanados" |
| Customs clearance time | Approximately 10-12 days plus 2 days of transit |
| Tariff levels | 5% for raw materials, 10% and 15% for goods with domestic production, 20% for finished consumer goods, and 35% for luxury items |
| Value-added tax | 16% |
| Consular notarized inventories | Do not exempt the payment of duties |
| Diplomatic shipments | Cleared without a physical inspection |
| Customs paperwork | Andean Custom Value Declaration, Import Declaration |
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What You'll Learn
Payment methods at Cali airport
Payment methods at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, vary depending on what you are paying for. For example, if you are purchasing a plane ticket at the airport, you can use your credit card. If you are paying customs duty, you will need to go to an authorised financial entity to pay the import duties, VAT, surcharges, and other fees.
Upon entering Colombia, you will be asked to complete a customs form detailing your personal effects. There is a regularly updated limit on cash and goods you may take out of the country. Because of strict drug-trafficking laws, do not try to take more money out of Colombia than you declared when entering the country. Usually, there is a limit of about US$10,000. When departing Colombia, you must pay an airport tax of about COL$114,520, though this tax is often included in your airline ticket. This can be paid in cash or by card, depending on the airline.
If you are a resident of Colombia, you will need to pay an exit tax of USD 19 in cash when departing for abroad or if your stay in Colombia exceeds two months. This is paid at the airport of departure.
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Import duty rates
Colombia has consolidated most of its import duties into three tariff levels:
- Zero percent to five percent on capital goods, industrial goods, and raw materials not produced in Colombia
- Ten percent on manufactured goods, with some exceptions
- 15 percent to 20 percent on consumer and "sensitive" goods
The World Trade Organization (WTO) reported that Colombia's simple average on the most-favored-nation (MFN) applied tariff rate in 2020 was 5.8 percent, 14.3 percent for agricultural goods, and 4.7 percent for non-agricultural goods.
To calculate the import duty for a shipment, multiply the taxable value of the shipment by the corresponding tax and duty percentage for Colombia. The taxable value is typically based on the value of the goods, but it may include other amounts depending on the valuation method used by the country.
Additionally, Colombia has agreements in place that provide duty-free benefits for various agricultural commodities and information technology products.
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Customs clearance process
Customs clearance is a necessary process when entering Colombia, and it involves several steps and requirements that must be fulfilled. Here is a detailed guide on the customs clearance process when entering Colombia, specifically through Cali Airport:
Customs Forms and Documentation:
Upon arrival at Cali Airport in Colombia, you will need to complete a customs form, detailing your personal effects and any goods you are carrying. It is important to have this form ready before approaching the customs area. If you are travelling with any pets, ensure you have the necessary certificates and documentation, as outlined by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).
Scanning and Inspection:
After submitting your customs form, your passport will be scanned, and your form will be reviewed by a customs official. They may also inspect your luggage to verify that the description and classification of your goods match your declaration. Random investigations may also be conducted to detect fraud, foreign exchange irregularities, and tax evasion.
Payment of Duties and Taxes:
If you are importing goods that exceed the duty-free allowance, you will need to pay customs duties and taxes. The duty rates vary depending on the category of goods. You can calculate the import duty by multiplying the taxable value of your goods by the applicable tax and duty percentage for Colombia. Payment can typically be made at an authorized financial entity, and it is important to retain all import documents for at least five years.
Clearance Timeframe:
Customs clearance in Colombia can take approximately 3 to 4 weeks from the date of arrival. During this time, your goods may be held at the airport or port until all clearance procedures are completed.
Connecting Flights:
If you are connecting through Bogotá or another Colombian city, you will likely clear customs at the first point of entry into Colombia. For example, if you are travelling from the USA to Cali via Bogotá, you will go through customs in Bogotá and then proceed to your connecting flight without needing to claim your checked luggage.
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Tax and duty exemptions
When travelling to Colombia, it is important to be aware of the customs regulations and any applicable tax and duty exemptions. Here is some information regarding tax and duty exemptions for travellers arriving or departing from Cali Airport in Colombia:
Tax Exemptions:
- Transit/transfer passengers: Those who are transiting through Colombia and continuing their journey within 24 hours without leaving the airport are typically exempt from certain taxes. This includes passengers with an interrupted flight due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Children: Minors under a certain age may be exempt from specific taxes. For example, children under 12 years of age travelling from Australia are exempt from certain taxes.
- Diplomats and Government Officials: Diplomats, ministers of government, members of the national assembly, and other official representatives may be exempt from specific taxes when travelling to or from Colombia.
- Scholarship Holders and Cultural Representatives: Approved scholarship holders leaving Belize to study abroad and accredited cultural groups representing Belize are exempt from certain taxes.
- Specific Destinations: Travel between certain countries, such as the U.S. and Mexico, or international travel to and from countries like Australia, Belize, Colombia, Greece, and the United Kingdom, may qualify for tax exemptions.
Duty Exemptions:
- Personal Effects: There are typically duty exemptions for personal belongings and goods carried by travellers. However, it is important to declare these items upon arrival and ensure they fall within the allowed limits.
- Currency: Colombia has specific duty exemptions for currency. Residents under 15 years of age can carry up to COP 5,642 per day (max. COP 169,260 per year) or USD 35 or its equivalent. Residents 15 years or older can carry up to COP 11,284 per day (max. COP 338,520 per year) or USD 70 or its equivalent. Non-residents can carry up to USD 10,000 or its equivalent without incurring duties.
- Departure Tax: Residents of Colombia who are departing for abroad and staying outside the country for up to 180 days are exempt from paying the exit tax. Non-residents staying abroad for up to 60 days are also exempt.
It is important to note that these exemptions may change and are subject to the discretion of the Colombian customs and tax authorities. Travellers should always consult the latest official information and regulations provided by the Colombian government and Cali Airport to ensure they are aware of any updates or changes to tax and duty exemptions.
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Exit tax
When departing from Cali Airport in Colombia, non-residents of Colombia who have stayed in the country for less than 60 days are exempt from the exit tax. Residents of Colombia who are staying abroad for a maximum of 180 days are also exempt.
The exit tax for residents of Colombia departing for abroad is USD 19, in cash only. For non-residents, the exit tax is USD 33 for a stay of less than one month and USD 66 for a stay of more than one month. The exit tax can be paid at the airport in Colombian Pesos or US Dollars, but only the exact amount is accepted at the tax payment points.
To obtain an exit tax exemption, you must go to Window 19 (Tax Exemptions) with your passport. The staff will stamp your passport and provide you with a stamped piece of paper called the exento impuesto timbre nacional. This receipt is important, as losing it may result in having to pay the tax again.
The process for obtaining a tax refund varies depending on the airline and airport. Some airlines, such as Jet Blue out of Bogota, require you to get a stamp in your passport at the tax counter before checking in. Others, like Copa out of Bogota, do not require a stamp at the tax desk. It is important to check with your airline to see if the departure tax is included in their rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Customs duties are paid at an authorized financial entity. You will need to present all documents to customs after paying.
Colombia's duties have been consolidated into three tariff levels: 0% to 5% on capital goods, industrial goods, and raw materials not produced in Colombia; 10% on manufactured goods, with some exceptions; and 15% to 20% on consumer and "sensitive" goods. Import duty rates vary for each category of goods.
Customs clearance must be done at the airport or port of arrival. It takes approximately 10-12 days plus 2 days for the goods to be transported to the owner's residence. All shipments are physically inspected, except diplomatic shipments.
Yes, there is an airport departure tax of about COL$114,520, though this is often included in your airline ticket. There is also an exit tax of USD 19 that is levied on residents of Colombia departing for abroad and on all departing passengers whose stay in Colombia exceeds 2 months.
