Import moving to Colombia

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IMPORT MOVING TO COLOMBIA

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If you have already decided that you are coming to Colombia and you or a company are going to pack, you must present a packing list detailing the quantity of pieces to be imported and the description of the cargo in detail with its respective declared value for customs and insurance purposes, according to Law 1565 of 2012 in which the regulations for the importation of household goods / moving and the list of items allowed as household items are related,


For the claim process this will be the value for which the insurer will respond to you and this will also be the basis on which you will pay import taxes if you did not avail yourself of the government's RETURN PROGRAM; Keep in mind that at the time of a claim the insurer will only respond if the household items were packed by a specialized company for this purpose, otherwise, in most cases the policy would not be effective.


Among the items allowed for the importation of household goods / moving is not any type of motor vehicle such as cars, motorcycles or boats.


If the cargo is packed in wooden crates, keep in mind that this wood must be certified and sealed under international standards, bringing your household items in non-certified crates carries extra expenses for fumigation.

Colombia has a program for those who reside abroad for more than five years and want to return, the "RETURN CERTIFICATE" with a 0% tariff on the importation of their household / moving items when, as a rule, this type of import has a 15% tariff on the CIF Cost + Insurance + Freight value, the document is processed before the Ministry of Foreign Relations of the country where you are or if it is the preference of the importer, you can go to the Colombian embassy or consulate to receive advice on this process, with this document they exonerate.


To the importer of the single tax that applies for the household goods / moving modality, the procedure can also be consulted and processed at the following link:

https://tramitesmre.cancilleria.gov.co/tramites/enlinea/solicitarRetornado.xhtml
https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/ley_1565_2012.htm

The traveler must speak with the embassy before their trip if they want to apply for this discount, in some cases they require the packing list, that's why it is It is good that you check with the time that you require for the process, this document is different from the residence letter which also serves in case they ask you to confirm your stay here, but they are two different documents.


The estimated response time to the request for return and tax exemption by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is approximately 45 business days, for which it is recommended that the importer carry out the process well in advance of the shipment of the household items, avoiding extra Warehouse costs at destination while a response is obtained from the Ministry.


The verification of the time of stay in the place of origin of the cargo is optional by the customs official, so it is important that you take these documents into account before planning your trip and moving your home.


The insurance in a household / moving does not cover a particular breakdown of used merchandise, but if you can make a photographic record of what we are going to mobilize before, during and after, in the event of a claim it can serve as proof.


In the importation of cargo by ocean freight, in the port extra costs can be generated such as mobilizations for pre-inspection, customs agent inspection, police inspection, port use, container delays, stand-by. Transporting cargo by air the extra charges could be repackaging material, tool rental, among others.

Sending the documentation on time will minimize you these risks.


We suggest you send the documentation at least 5 days before the cargo arrives to do the filing before the port since it takes 48 hours for the process and enter the goods at the port at least 5 days prior to the arrival of the ship since we have to file documents, pre-inspect and type; the port gives 3 days off which are generally used by the shipping company.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • ¿Where can i find the regulation for moving in Colombia?

    Regulations: DECREE 390 OF 2016 (CUSTOMS STATUS)

    Article 309. Requirements for the importation of household goods / moving.


  • ¿What do I need to enter my household or international move in Colombia?

    To enjoy the benefit mentioned in the previous article, the traveler must comply with the following:


    1. Must be a resident abroad who enters the national customs territory to establish residence there. For these purposes, the resident abroad is the person who lives abroad for at least twenty-four (24) continuous or discontinuous months, during the three (3) years immediately prior to their arrival in the country.
    2. The household / moving must belong to a person or their family unit. In this case, the list of the people who make up the family unit must be presented.
    3. The household / moving items must come from the country in which its owner was residing. When for technical reasons, related to the voltage or the transmission system, some electrical appliances cannot be used in Colombia, the origin of a country other than the country of residence will be admitted, after proof of the fact.
    4. The introduction of a household / moving item may only be authorized by a single customs office.
    5. The household / moving may be declared through a customs agency before the arrival of its owner to the country, in whose name it must be consigned.
    6. The term for the arrival to the national customs territory of the household goods / moving will be one (1) month before or three (3) months after the date of arrival of its owner. In duly justified cases, the customs authority may authorize the entry of household goods / moving after the aforementioned term.

    The passport constitutes the supporting document of the customs declaration, as well as the transport document and the insurance policy or those that take their place, and it does not require registration or import license or approval. 


    In the event of non-compliance with any of the aforementioned requirements, the regime change must be made with the payment of the corresponding import duties and taxes. 


    Whoever has introduced a household goods / moving to the national customs territory, may only exercise the right provided in articles 308 and 309 of this decree, after five (5) years have elapsed from the date of authorization of withdrawal of the initially imported household goods / moving.

  • ¿What documents i will need to do the import in Colombia?

    The documents that you will need to import your household goods / moving in Colombia are:


    1. Certificate of residence issued by the Colombian Consulate in origin stating the client's permanence abroad for at least two (2) consecutive years (only for Colombian citizens).
    2. Work or residence visa in Colombia valid for at least one year (only for foreign citizens).
    3. Power of attorney with the customs broker
    4. Traveler's declaration (Document that is delivered to the client on the plane before landing at the Colombian airport and in which they must declare that they enter unaccompanied luggage and / or personal effects).
    5. B/L or original air waybill, must show current weight of the goods and / or volume, delivery details, etc.
    6. Complete and detailed inventory of the household goods / moving  (in Spanish), which must show the brand ranges, the model and the serial number for all appliances and electronic equipment (vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, toasters, televisions, DVD players). video, personal computers, etc.); If possible, electronic devices must be packed together.The packing list must be discriminated item by package and their respective individual value, in case of having the cargo insured at the time of a claim, this will be the value for which the insurer will answer you.
    7. Diplomatic officials must have a diplomatic entry format, which must be requested from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bogotá, specifically for the mission they are going to carry out, be cleared by any Customs in the country. The name of the mission or the owner should be noted on the shipping documents.
    8. Certificate of return law approved (If applicable).

  • ¿The import of household good / moving in Colombia has restrictions?

    Yes, the import of household good / moving in Colombia has the following restrictions:


    • Cleaning implements.

    • Food.

    • Firearms.

    • Medications and / or drugs.

    • Chemical substances.

    • Fauna and Flora.

    • Taxidermy (Must comply with the provisions of DECREE 1608 of July 31, 1978).

    • Vehicles.

    • Electric bicycles, it will depend on the legislation of the country of destination.

    • Only one electronic device of each class is allowed to be transported, except air conditioning, which has a limit of up to three and televisions, up to two.

    • The bedroom furniture must correspond to the number of people in the family.

  • ¿Can i import my goods and then leave Colombia to live abroad again?

    Only those residents abroad who enter COLOMBIA to permanently establish their residence will be the holders of household goods / moving.

  • ¿What are the most frequent destinations for Colombian citizens?

    Below we mention some of the countries that have more frequency in the mobilization of people according to the government of Colombia,: 

    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Costa Rica
    • Panama
    • Argentina
    • Chile
    • Ecuador
    • Peru
    • Brazil
    • France
    • England - UK
    • Italy
    • Belgium 
    • Holland 

  • ¿Who is a resident abroad?

    A resident abroad is the person who lives abroad for at least 24 continuous or discontinuous months.


    Colombians residing abroad who return to Colombia to establish their residence in the country, will have the right to introduce personal effects and household goods / moving corresponding to their family unit, without requiring an Import Registration or License, the Return Law, Law 1565 of 2012 to obtain the benefit of taxes, for more information visit


    https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/sites/default/files/Normograma/docs/ley_1565_2012.htm  

  • ¿Can I export my MOVING by air?

    Yes, you can export or import your household goods by air transport, you must take into account the packaging so that your merchandise arrives in excellent condition, the size of the pieces, and the size of the aircraft doors so that everything can enter the aircraft, the maximum weight allowed per piece and other accessibility standards.

  • ¿What requirements do I need to deliver my Unaccompanied baggage?

    The requirements to deliver your Unaccompanied baggage previous to your 

    flight are:


    1. Copy of the Traveler's Air Ticket.

    2. Copy of Passport.

    3. Packing List (each unit, suitcase or box).

    4. Declared value or original invoice.

    5. Address of origin and destination (telephones, emails).


    The requirements to receive your Unaccompanied baggage after to your 

    flight are:


    1. Copy of passport and stamp of entry to the Country.

    2. Copy of Form 530 (delivered on the plane)

    3. Invoice with the Master Guide number. (We will inform you the Name of the Airline the day and the number of the flight on which your luggage will travel).


    Recommendations to consider:


    1. On the plane, you will be given the DIAN form 530 (luggage declaration and representative money certificates). In which you declare that you are carrying unaccompanied luggage with its respective declared value.

    2. At the destination, you must deliver this form to the Customs Officer (Its completion is mandatory).

    3. It is advisable to list the items sent as unaccompanied luggage "EQUIPAJE NO ACOMPAÑADO" with their respective costs and / or purchase invoices.

  • ¿What can I not bring to Colombia as UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE?

    1. Vehicles and railroad equipment or automobiles (prohibited)


    2. Aircraft, balloons, airships and gliders (prohibited)


    3. Boats or any floating artifact and / or its parts (prohibited)


    4. Weapons, ammunition and explosives (prohibited)


    5. Transport material such as tires and spare parts for cars or machinery (prohibited)


    6. Exception material for transport: if bicycles, wheelchairs and children's cars can be sent (allowed)


  • ¿What are the conditions of UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE in Colombia?

    1. Time spent abroad: minimum 5 days


    2. Maximum value of the merchandise in USD$ 2,500


    3. Type of goods considered unaccompanied baggage: household items, whether or not electrical, sporting goods and articles of the art or trade of the traveler


    4. Maximum quantity units per article: 3 units


    5. Tax to pay (according to the value of the merchandise): 15%


    Example for calculating the tax: If the traveler has been abroad for more than five days, the quota is up to USD$2,500. This includes articles for domestic use, sports and those that are typical of the art or trade of the traveler. 


    You can enter up to 3 units of each, not exceeding the quota of USD2,500, paying 15% taxes (the modality can be used only once a year.). 


    Therefore, it is important to always carry the invoice of the items purchased to verify their value, sometimes these values ​​can be corroborated on the internet and if the website that was searched is for a higher value, the official can readjust the declared value of the goods.

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