Shipping to Colombia from the USA: What to Check

Shipping from the United States to Colombia involves both freight planning and Colombian import requirements. Before booking, establish what the product is, its tariff classification, customs value, country of origin and the identity of the Colombian importer.

Check the product’s import requirements

The Colombian importer and its customs representative should confirm the current duty, taxes and documents for the product. Some goods require registration, authorization or review by a relevant authority. For example, health-related products and agricultural goods may involve INVIMA or ICA requirements. Make these checks before the cargo leaves the United States.

A commercial invoice, packing information and transport document will normally form part of the shipment file. The complete set of documents depends on the goods and the customs procedure. Do not treat a general list on a blog as a substitute for the importer’s product-specific check.

Does the US–Colombia agreement reduce duty?

The US–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force in 2012. A lower preferential rate depends on the tariff classification and whether the goods satisfy the agreement’s applicable rules of origin. Goods shipped from the US are not automatically US-origin.

If the importer intends to claim a preference, confirm the relevant origin rule and obtain appropriate supporting information from the producer or exporter. Keep the evidence needed to substantiate the claim. Producing a certificate or statement without meeting the rule does not make the goods eligible.

There is no general rule that the agreement “ends in 2028,” and an old forecast about tariff phaseouts cannot establish today’s rate.

Agree on the shipping responsibilities

Confirm the Incoterm, pickup and delivery points, cargo insurance, who arranges Colombian clearance and who pays duties and taxes. Compare air and ocean freight using the cargo’s size, urgency and total delivered cost. Have the Colombian importer approve the document and regulatory requirements before dispatch.

For current product requirements, consult the US–Colombia agreement information and Colombia import documentation guidance.