Colombia Import Duties & Taxes Explained

Import duty in Colombia is typically 10% for shipments over $200 USD, though many US goods qualify for 0% duty under the US-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. Your shipment could be duty-free if the declared value stays under $200 USD.

Colombia has a $50 USD de minimis threshold for VAT and a $200 USD threshold for duty on shipments from the USA. Your shipment is VAT-free if valued at or under $50 USD, while customs duties typically only apply to shipments exceeding $200 USD.

You will pay a 19% Value Added Tax (IVA) on most express shipments from the USA valued over $50 USD. This tax is calculated on the total CIF value, which includes your goods, shipping, and insurance costs plus any applicable customs duty.

The taxable base is the CIF value, which combines the cost of your items, insurance, and freight shipping costs. Any applicable customs duty is added to this amount before the 19% VAT is applied.

Yes, carriers like DHL, FedEx, or UPS typically charge an administrative fee for processing your shipment if they advance taxes or duties on your behalf. This fee usually ranges from $10 to $20 USD or is a percentage of the taxes paid.

You must provide your Colombian Tax ID (NIT) or national ID (Cédula) for the customs declaration to be processed. Without this information, DIAN will likely hold your shipment.

Yes, Colombia strictly prohibits the import of used clothing and footwear via courier, and these items are frequently seized or returned by DIAN. Please ensure your shipment contains only new items to avoid delays.

Mobile phones are subject to specific IMEI registration rules and generally must be limited to one unit per package. Sending multiple phones may trigger additional scrutiny or require separate clearance procedures.

Express shipments are often restricted to a maximum of 6 units of the same class per package to qualify for simplified courier processing. Exceeding this limit may result in your shipment being reclassified as commercial cargo.

You will likely pay the 19% VAT on the total CIF value, but you should be exempt from customs duty since your shipment is under the $200 threshold for US-origin goods. Be prepared to pay the carrier's handling fee upon arrival.