Recently, Colombia issued Decree 1165 of 2019, which is a compilation of all the regulations for its customs regime. This instrument helps protect user security and, as a result, helps facilitate customs documentation and procedures.

Import regime:

Under different forms of imports, Decree 1165 of 2019 includes:

• Regular imports, which are only subject to comply with all obligations and formalities.
• Temporary imports, which are those that do not intend to remain in the territory indefinitely and are either in transit or under processing.
• Postal traffic and urgent shipment imports for shipments that do not exceed USD 2,000.

Export regime: 

To export products from Colombia to another nation or free zone, the exporter must be authorized, which is the natural or legal person who requested and obtained a favorable risk classification certificate from the DIAN. The Single Tax Registry (RUT, Registro Único Tributario) must also be filed as an exporter – for which the position of the tariff subheading of the product to be exported must be determined, the applicable approvals needed in order to export the product must be obtained, and any corresponding customs procedures must be performed. 

Take into account

• The Single Window of Foreign Trade (VUCE, Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior) is the main tool for facilitating trade in the country. It helps channel the foreign trade procedures of users with government entities. This facilitates the exchange of information, eliminates redundant procedures, helps implement efficient controls and promotes the transparency of administrative actions.