Traveler Modality
Import Modality to bring merchandise into the national customs territory. Only applicable to merchandise that does not represent commercial quantities. Every traveler arriving from abroad must keep Form 530 in mind in case they exceed the quotas allowed under this modality.
Aspects to Consider
Goods that are introduced occasionally and consist of items reserved for personal or family use, or goods that are intended to be offered as gifts, without their nature or quantity reflecting any commercial intent, do not constitute commercial quantities.
Importing by travelers includes:
Presentation of luggage to the customs authority.
Baggage subject to the single tax.
Clearance and payment of customs duties on the importation of travelers' luggage.
Importing domestic animals.
Deadline for the arrival of unaccompanied luggage.
Quota for minor travelers.
Travelers residing in the country.
Travelers residing abroad.
Travelers in transit and treatment of crew members of means of transportation.
Allowed quotas
Every traveler entering Colombia may bring goods for personal or family use (household, sports articles and/or those related to their art, profession or trade that do not constitute commercial quantities) as luggage, in addition to personal use items (new or used articles needed for the duration of the trip).
Quota conditions
Quota value in US dollars | Type of goods | Maximum quantity | Tax payable | Type of luggage |
2,000 US dollars | Anything that does not represent commercial quantities, without import registration or license. | A maximum of 10 units of the same kind. | Tax free. | That which arrives with the traveler upon entry to the country (accompanied luggage) |
3,000 US dollars | Household, sports articles and/or those related to their art, profession or trade. | 3 units of each. | Tax-free if brought in by the traveler (accompanied luggage). If, on the other hand, it is sent as unaccompanied baggage, a 15% single tax is paid. | Accompanied or unaccompanied baggage. |
Articles for personal or family use. | 10 units of the same type. | Payment of a 15% single tax. | |
Entry of cell phones
Travelers may bring mobile phones with them as personal effects, in a quantity not exceeding 3 units, which must be declared on Form 530, in which they must register the IMEI and the value in US dollars without exceeding the quotas established in customs regulations.
Merchandise with legal or administrative restrictions
Legal or administrative restrictions are understood as requirements established by law or by general administrative act, issued by competent government authority. For example; medications, food, medical equipment, INVIMA regulation; plant material, seeds, plants, according to ICA regulation (Decree 1165 of 2019, Article 254).
Entry of personal domestic animals
The step-by-step process for the entry of domestic animals can be consulted at the following link https://www.dian.gov.co/viajeros/Paginas/Tips-Viajeros.aspx
Learn how to obtain the ICA health certificate at the following link: https://www.ica.gov.co/noticias/requisitos-ica-importacion-mascotas-colombia.
As an international traveler, can I bring dangerous dog breeds into Colombia?
What breeds are considered dangerous?
Learn more about breeds considered dangerous here
Entry of Unaccompanied Baggage
The step-by-step process for the entry of unaccompanied baggage can be consulted at the following link Tips for travelers
Postal traffic and express delivery modality
Postal traffic: It corresponds to shipments of correspondence, postal parcels or internet purchases that arrive in Colombia through the Official Postal Operator Network (Servicios Postales Nacionales S.A., which operates under the 4-72 brand), in connection with the network of operators of the Universal Postal Union and/or with private transportation operators.
Express deliveries: It refers to merchandise that requires express clearance through a specialized courier company, subject to regulations on the matter.
Note: Check the "Guide for your shipments to Colombia to arrive without any problems" here
General information
For tracking and traceability of your Parcel or shipment, as well as any issues that may arise, you must contact the transportation company or authorized operator, which will inform you of the shipment status.
The information presented here is for general knowledge of the postal traffic and express delivery modality.
Aspects to consider
Mechandise prohibited for importing under this modality are listed in Article 15 of the Universal Postal Union Agreement, among others. The following are highlighted:
Narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Obscene or immoral objects such as pornographic material, sex toys, among others.
Counterfeit or pirated objects.
Weapons, explosive, flammable or radioactive materials and dangerous goods. For example, chemical elements such as: Uranium, Thorium, Radium, Polonium and infectious matter that threatens the health of people or animals.
Live animals.
Coins, banknotes, gold or silver, whether manufactured or not.
Likewise, https://normograma.dian.gov.co/dian/compilacion/docs/decreto_1165_2019.htm indicates the following goods:
You can consult the complete list at the following link: https://cutt.ly/NEDuovq
Quantity of merchandise allowed
Its value must not exceed 2,000 U.S. dollars.
Its weight must not exceed 50 kilograms.
When it comes to shipments entering the national customs territory through the Official Postal Operator Network (Servicios Postales Nacionales S.A., operating under the 4-72 brand), their measurements must not exceed 1.50 meters in any of their dimensions, nor 3 meters in the sum of the length and the largest contour, taken in a direction different from that of the length.
Entry of smartphones or mobile phones to Colombia: Importing 1 phone per shipment is allowed, to one recipient, whether an individual or legal entity, in whose name it is prohibited to make split shipments or, in other words, shipments that arrive with different transport documents, but from the same supplier, on the same means of transportation, for a single or different recipients located at the same address.
The IMEI number of the phone must be listed in the shipping guide with the following tariff subheading: 8517.13.00.00. Legal Compilation of the DIAN - Decree 2142 of 2016
Customs duties payable
The customs duties correspond to the tariff encumbrance of 10% of the Free On Board (FOB) value, including freight and insurance, plus 19% corresponding to VAT.
When the FOB value of the shipment is equal to or less than two hundred United States dollars (USD 200), they will not pay customs duties. Neither will these shipments pay VAT when they come from countries with which Colombia has signed a Free Trade agreement or treaty, in light of which it is expressly obligated not to charge this tax and they do not have commercial purposes.
Correspondence shipments will not pay customs duties.
Merchandise with legal and administrative restrictions
Up to 6 units may be imported, with compliance with said conditions. For example; medications, food, medical equipment, INVIMA regulation; plant material, seeds, plants, according to ICA regulation) (https://normograma.dian.gov.co/dian/compilacion/docs/decreto_1165_2019.htm)
Household goods
Household goods are understood as furniture, devices and other accessories normally used in a home.
What is considered household goods?
Appliances for kitchen, cleaning, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, family entertainment, beauty, devices for home physical training, desktop or laptop computers, in accordance with the members of the family unit.
Personal effects that have not been entered as luggage.
Sports articles up to 6 units of the same type and in accordance with the members of the family unit, including bicycles and other velocipedes (including delivery tricycles), without motors.
Decorative articles and certified works of art that are not cultural heritage of the Nation
What should I take into account to bring household goods into Colombia?
Colombian citizens who return to the country will have the right to bring in personal articles and the household goods corresponding to their family unit.
They must have lived abroad for at least 24 continuous or discontinuous months, during the 3 years immediately prior to their arrival in the country.
The household goods must arrive in Colombia 1 month before or 4 months after the date of arrival of their owner from the country in which the owner was located.
New or used items can be imported every 5 years by each family unit, when the owner returns from abroad to settle in Colombia, with certification from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It does not require import records or license.
Under which tariff subheading should I declare the household goods?
These items must be declared under tariff subheading 9805.00.00.00 subject to a single tax of 15%.
What should I take into account to export household goods?
A resident in the country leaving Colombia to establish residence abroad.
For this purpose, you must process a request for shipment authorization and the corresponding return under the "Definitive Export" modality.
The export may also be carried out by whoever proves to be an heir, legatee, representative of the heirs or liquidator of the estate, in case of death of a resident in the country.
The shipment request must be signed and filed by the owner of the household goods or the person duly authorized by them.
The deadline to file the request for shipment authorization for exporting household goods is 30 calendar days before the owner's departure or 120 calendar days following their departure date.
Household goods from San Andrés
The minimum legal residence period is one year in the Archipelago Department of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, in order to bring your household goods.
In this case, a single tax of 15% must be paid. If the transfer is permanent, it is not subject to the payment of the single 15% tax.
Learn about the benefits of Return Law 1565 of 2012
It consists of the exemption from payment of all taxes and import duties that tax the entry of goods described as household goods into the country. Keep in mind that the DIAN establishes the UVT (Tax Value Unit, for the Spanish original, which allows adjusting the values in the provisions related to taxes and obligations administered by the DIAN) each year.
Check the technical regulations at the following link https://www.dian.gov.co/normatividad/Paginas/normas.aspx
What are the requirements to benefit from Law 1565 of 2012?
Be of legal age.
Prove that you have remained abroad for at least 3 years.
Express your interest in returning to the country under Law 1565 of 2012 to the competent authority. Not have current convictions abroad or in Colombia for crimes related to human trafficking, money laundering, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. Neither will people who have been convicted of crimes against public administration receive this benefit.
Not having resided in the national territory for more than 12 months after having returned.
Regarding the tax exemption, you should know the following:
If the value of the goods imported into the country exceeds the exempted amount, you must pay the taxes on the excess.
To prove your right to customs and tax exemptions before the DIAN, you must provide the certificate of beneficiary of Law 1565 of 2012 that you received in your email.
The deadline for you to bring the goods to be imported that are exempt from customs duties into the national customs territory is 1 month before or up to 4 months after your arrival in Colombia.
You must complete the customs procedures to clear the goods within one month of your arrival in the national customs territory. This time may be extended for 1 additional month in cases authorized by the DIAN.
Once this period has expired, the property will be deemed abandoned, and the process to reclaim the assets must be initiated, which will entail the payment of an additional fee.
If, two months after the goods arrive in Colombia, the required declaration of legalization has not been filed, the DIAN may dispose of the goods, as they become the property of the State.
You must pay the transportation and customs clearance fees incurred in connection with the importation of your household goods and/or the goods you use in the course of your profession, trade, or business activity.
For more information, you can consult Return Law 1565/2012 at the following link: https://cutt.ly/BEDovtX
Temporary importation of means of transportation
User manual
Click here and download the user manual for Temporary Importation of Tourist means of transportation.
Primer on Temporary Importation of Tourist means of transportation
Download the Primer on Temporary Importation of Tourist means of transportation here
Complete procedure online
Click here and complete the procedure online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are articles specific to the traveler's art or trade?
Goods that a traveler imports or exports to carry out activities inherent to their trade, profession, art or sport.
What are personal effects?
These are all new or used items that a traveler or crew member may need for personal use during the journey, taking into account the circumstances of the trip, whether they are in checked or carry-on baggage or are carried on the person or in carry-on luggage, excluding any goods that constitute a commercial shipment.
What is considered a commercial shipment?
A shipment is not considered commercial if it consists of 10 or fewer units of the same type, per traveler, of goods that are brought in on an occasional basis and consist of items intended for personal or family use, or items intended to be given as gifts, as long as their nature or quantity does not indicate any commercial intent.
In the importing of travelers' baggage, what taxes are paid?
Merchandise that comes in the travelers' baggage from abroad and does not enjoy duty exemption will pay a single tax of 15% ad valorem.
What is the duty-free allowance to which a traveler is entitled?
Travelers entering the country will be entitled to bring accompanied baggage, without import registration or license, up to a total value of USD 2,000 or its equivalent and with exemption from the single tax.
Personal effects brought in by the traveler will not be taken into account for determining the merchandise allowance.
If the allowance exceeds the amount exempt from payment of the single tax, what taxes must be calculated and paid?
Travelers entering the country who prove a minimum stay abroad of 5 calendar days will be entitled to bring up to 3 units of each of the following goods as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage, without import registration or license and with payment of the single tax of 15% ad valorem: household items, whether or not they are electrical, sports items, items specific to the traveler's profession, art or trade, and up to 10 units of the same class of other articles for personal or family use, up to a total value of USD 3,000 U.S. dollars or its equivalent in the corresponding currency.
What allowance are minors entitled to?
Minors will be entitled to 50% of the allowance to which adults are entitled.
Where should the single tax be paid?
Payment must be made at banks or financial institutions authorized by the DIAN, located at the ports or airports of the traveler's arrival, to the national customs territory.
What is the deadline for the arrival of unaccompanied baggage?
The deadline for importing unaccompanied baggage will be 1 month before the date of the traveler's arrival to the national customs territory, or up to 3 months after said date.
Travelers who bring in unaccompanied baggage must expressly declare this fact in the Traveler's Declaration upon their arrival to the customs territory. The traveler must pay the single tax ad-valorem.
Personal effects arriving as unaccompanied baggage of the traveler will not be subject to payment of the single tax.
Is it mandatory to file the traveler's declaration?
Each traveler must complete and file the baggage declaration in the following events:
When the baggage is subject to payment of the single tax;
When the amount of any kind of foreign currency or Colombian legal currency in cash or securities representing foreign currency and/or Colombian legal currency that the traveler carries at the time of entry or exit from the country exceeds USD 10,000 U.S. dollars or its equivalent in other currencies.
When there is a special regulation requiring specific information for merchandise brought in by international travelers.
When regulated plants, animals and their products, and agricultural consumables are brought in, including companion animals or pets.
When goods that are the property of the Nation or other nations are imported.
When merchandise subject to the requirements established by the Ministry of Culture or Environment and Sustainable Development is brought in.
When the traveler is a resident abroad and intends to temporarily introduce duty-free articles for their personal or professional use or goods that they will consume during their stay in Colombia, for re-export in the same condition at the time of the traveler's departure to the rest of the world. The merchandise must be presented by the traveler at the time of their departure.
When medical missions accredited in the country bring in the consumables that are necessary to develop organized health campaigns as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage .
When the traveler has sent or intends to send unaccompanied baggage.
When the traveler brings merchandise in commercial quantities in their baggage.
When the traveler brings in merchandise that involves a change of modality. The above is notwithstanding the submission for review of the elements that make up the baggage by the customs authority according to the risk targeting system.
What are the characteristics of household goods?
Household goods must have been acquired during the owner's period of residence abroad and must come from the country in which they were residing.
When, for technical reasons related to voltage or the power grid, certain household appliances cannot be used in Colombia, they may be admitted from a country other than the country of residence, as long as this fact is demonstrated.
What merchandise is considered household goods?
Household goods shall consist of furniture, devices and accessories normally used in a home. Transportation equipment covered by Section XVII of the Customs Tariff shall not be considered household goods.
Household goods will be subject to a single 15% ad valorem duty.
What is the deadline for household goods to arrive in the country?
Household goods must arrive in the national customs territory no earlier than 1 month before or no later than 4 months after the owner's arrival date.
Glossary
Personal effects: These are all new or used items that a traveler or crew member may need for personal use during the journey, taking into account the circumstances of the trip, whether they are in checked or carry-on baggage or are carried on the person or in carry-on luggage, excluding any goods that constitute a commercial shipment.
Baggage: This refers to all personal belongings and other items in suitcases, briefcases, duffel bags, trunks, boxes, or similar containers that a traveler carries on a mode of transportation.
Accompanied baggage: This is the baggage the traveler carries with them at the time of their entry or exit from the country.
Unaccompanied baggage: This is baggage that arrives or leaves the country before or after the arrival or departure of the traveler, in whose name it must be consigned in the corresponding transportation document.
Household goods: The furniture, appliances, utensils, and other accessories normally used in a home.
Resident abroad: A person who lives abroad for at least 24 continuous or discontinuous months during the 3 years immediately prior to their arrival in the country.
Resident in the country: The individual who remains continuously or discontinuously in the National Customs Territory for over 183 calendar days, including days of entry and exit from the country, during any period of 365 consecutive calendar days.
Individuals who are nationals and maintain their family or the main seat of their business in the country are also considered residents, even when they remain abroad.
Tourist: An individual who travels from their country of origin or departure to the territory of the destination country, without being considered a resident of the destination country or having the purpose of ascribing their residence or domicile therein.
Crew members: The people who are part of the personnel that operate or provide their services on board a means of transportation.
Travelers: People residing in the country who temporarily leave and then return to the national customs territory, as well as non-resident persons who arrive in the country for a temporary or permanent stay. The concept of a tourist is included in this definition.
Travelers in transit: People who arrive from abroad and remain in the country while waiting to continue their journey abroad, in accordance with the immigration regulations in force in the country.
