Distributing a product

Market shares

The most important commercial zones are located in large cities: Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena and Pereira.
The traditional distribution, symbolised by local groceries and other small shops called "tiendas", witnessed the arrival of modern distribution networks: supermarkets, hypermarkets, shopping centers. Nowadays, these new circuits cover 60% of the distribution landscape. The leaders of mass distribution in the country are: the Casino group which has the Exito stores (more than 250 outlets) and Carrefour (more than 35 outlets).
The perspectives for the development of electronic commerce are promising.
The Colombian government has achieved encouraging results in its effort to fight smuggling.

Organizations in the retail sector

Commercial Yearbook

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Member of World Trade Organisation
Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Wassenaar arrangement on export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies
Party of the International coffee agreement 2001

Main International economic cooperation

Colombia has signed many international trade agreements. See the list of main agreements on the website of Ministry of Trade.

- Latin American Association of Integration - ALADI
- Andean Community - CAN -Colombia, Equator, Peru, Bolivia)
- CAN - Mercosur
- Central American and the Caribbeans
- FTA - Free Trade Agreement Colombia and Chile
- FTA Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras
- FTA Colombia, Peru and Canada
- FTA G2- Group of Two - Colombia and Mexico
- FTA Colombia and Peru - EFTA
- FTA Colombia and United States
- Trade Union CAN - UE

Non tariff barriers

All imported goods have to be registered with the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Mincomex) on a form called "Registro de Importacion", worth 21 500 pesos (about 11 USD). Most   products are automatically authorized to be imported if this form is presented (imports under the "Registro" procedure). There is nevertheless a certain number of goods (especially agricultural products) that are subject to license (imports under the " Licencia " procedure).
Import authorizations (automatic and licensed) are valid for 6 months, except for the following products: capital goods: 12 months; perishable foodstuffs: 2 months. The goods have to be claimed at Customs before the expiry date of the license.
Besides that, some products are subject to phytosanitary measures and the importer should be registered with a certain number of organizations: the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario for plants and animal products, the INVIMA for medicines, medical underwear, cosmetics and the Ministry of Transport for all types of vehicles. Some farm products can be imported only when they get a visa from the Ministry of Agriculture, and as long as the importer also buys identical local products. According to local conditions, it is also possible that the Ministry does not permit the import of certain products during a given period.
The import of vehicles, tires, second hand clothes, violent toys is forbidden. The import of weapons is strictly limited to the army.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

During the past few years, Colombia reduced import duties. Two decrees, 4114 and 4115, listed the reductions. The average nominal import duty was reduced from 12.2% to 8.25%. Consumer goods, capital goods, and raw materials produced outside of Colombia were the main reduction targets.

Customs classification

Colombia applies the Harmonised Customs System. Customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value. The customs duties system (4 rates) was fixed within the Andean PACT and is applicable to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Bolivia is authorised to use 5% and 10% rates, and at the moment Peru is benefiting from an exemption.

Import procedures

Besides the Customs declaration (SAD) 2 traditionally required for all goods dispatched, consignments sent to Colombia must be accompanied by the following documents:
- The commercial invoice in quadruplicate; it must be drawn up in Spanish for preference and indicate besides the usual details: the value or exchange value of the goods in USD, the number of the “registro de importacion” (the certificate of registration of import) sent to the exporter by the Colombian consignee.
- The certificate of origin. It is drawn up on the community form.
- The certificate of non contamination by radioactivity, required for agrifood products and especially for milk, it is issued by the Departmental Directorate of veterinary services.
- The phytosanitary certificate, required for fruit, vegetables, seeds and other plants, it is issued by the Regional service for the protection of plants.
- The health certificate issued by the Departmental Directorate of veterinary services.
- The certificate of free sale for cosmetics..
Other products may be subject to the presentation of certificates of free sale to be registered in Colombia.

Colombia applies the Harmonized Customs System. Customs duties are calculated Ad Valorem on the CIF value. The scale of Customs duties (4 rates) was fixed within the framework of the Andean Pact and is applicable in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Bolivia is authorized to use 5% and 10% rates, and Peru benefits for the moment from an exemption.
- a 0% rate for the import of agrochemical products, paper, scientific and cultural press and books.
- a 5% rate for the import of  raw materials and capital and intermediate equpment not produced in Colombia.
- 10% and 15% rates for capital and intermediate equipment produced in Colombia.
- a 20% rate for consumer goods.
There are exceptions, especially for cars, taxed at 35%, as well as some agricultural products (corn, rice, sugar, poultry...) which come under the "price band" regime or variable system of Customs duties. This system, set up by the Andean Pact, determines floor and ceiling prices and a reference price calculated on a CIF basis. If the reference price, calculated at the time of import, is lower than the floor price, there is a surcharge; if it is the opposite, the Customs duties are reduced.
Despite these set rules, calculating Customs duties in Colombia is complicated, because of the numerous agreements the country has signed. There are no fewer than ten or so tariffs possible for certain goods.
For further information on Customs duties in Colombia, you can consult the Colombian Customs website (in Spanish).

 

Importing samples

The regulations regarding the importation of samples varies according to the type of products, we recommend that you contact the National Department of Customs.

For further information

National Directorate of Taxes and Customs

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

Goods transport inside the country is mostly by road. For further information consult the Ministry of Transport.

Imported goods must be accompanied by the transport documents, packing list, and transport insurance. Colombian regulations make insuring consignments for the country compulsory. Wooden packaging entering Colombia must be treated (fumigated) and marked with the standard NIMP n°15.

Ports

The port of Carthagena
The port of Buenaventura

Airports

International Airport El Dorado; Bogota
International Airport Alfonso Bonilla Aragon; Cali
International Airport Jose Maria Cordova; Medillin

Sea transport organizations

Ministral division fo ports and transports
Ministry of transports

Air transport organizations

Colombian Civil Aviation

Road transport organizations

Ministry of Transports

Rail transport organizations

Los Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Colombia (FCN)

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

Colombian industry is concentrated mainly in big cities such as Bogota, Medellin and Cali, it centers around the sectors of food, chemical, petroleum, mining and cosmetics.

Business directories

Confecámaras
National federation of shopkeepers

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

Chamber of Commerce of Colombia

Enterprises federation

National association of Colombian businessmen
National federation of shopkeepers

Standards

National standards organizations

ICONTEC

Integration in the international standards network

The organization responsible for the choice of standards and standardization of production is the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards (Instituto Colombiano de Normas Técnicas y Certificación ; ICONTEC). This organization is an active member of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT).

Classification of standards

NTC/ISO

Online consultation of standards

To consult the national technical standards visit the ICONTEC website.

Certification organizations

ICONTEC

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products

Intellectual Property

National organizations

The organizations with competence in matters of industrial property and copyright are the Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio and the Dirección Nacional de Derecho de Autor.
Colombia is a signer of Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Convention that established the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Colombia has not signed the the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) but it is currently under consideration in Congress.

Regional organizations

Since January 1994, the regulation of patent rights has become more accommodating since the enforcement of Decision 344 of the Cartagena Agreement. This decision has strengthened the legal protection of patents and trademarks in all the countries of the Andean bloc.