Colombia

Distributing a product

Market shares

The most important commercial zones are Santafe, Bogota and its region, Medellin, Cali, Bucaramanga and Cartagene.
The traditional distribution, symbolised by local groceries and other small shops called "tiendas", witnessed the arrival of modern distribution networks copied from western models: supermarkets, hypermarkets, shopping centres. Nowadays, these new circuits cover 60% of the distribution landscape. Foreign groups such as Casino, Makro and Carrefour established in Colombia in previous years, Wal-Mart, world leader of the distribution, also scheduled its next establishment in Colombia. Please note that food consumer habits prefer purchasing local products due to local culinary peculiarities.

Organizations in the retail sector

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Non tariff barriers

All the imported goods have to be registered with the Ministry of Trade on a form called "Registro de Importacion", that can be bought for a 21,500-peso worth (about USD 11). Most of the products are automatically authorised to be imported if this form is presented (imports under the "Registro" procedure). There is nevertheless a certain number of goods (especially agricultural products) that are subject to license (imports under the " Licencia " procedure).
Import authorisations (automatic and licensed) are valid for 6 months, except for the following products: capital goods: 12 months; perishable foodstuff: 2 months. The goods have to be demanded at the Customs before the expiry date of the license.
Beside that, some products are subject to phytosanitary measures and the importer should be registered with a certain number of organisations: the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario for plants and animal products, the INVIMA for medicines, medical underwear, cosmetics and the Ministry of Transports for all types of vehicles. Some farm products can be imported only when they get the visa from the Ministry of Agriculture, and as long as the importer also buys identical local products. According to the local conditions, it is also possible that the Ministry does not permit the import of certain products during a given period.
The import of vehicles, pneumatics, second hand clothes, violent toys is forbidden. The import of weapons is strictly limited to the army.

Product	Visa Ministry of agriculture	Preliminary recording
Plants		X
animal origin		X
Vehicles		X
Medicines		X
Poultry	X
Cereal	X
Fats and oil	X
Animal food	X

Customs classification

Colombia applies the Harmonised Customs System. Customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value. The customs duties system (4 rates) was fixed within the Andean PACT and is applicable to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Bolivia is authorised to use 5% and 10% rates, and at the moment Peru is benefiting from an exemption.

Import procedures

Colombia applies the Harmonised Customs System. Customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value. The customs duties system (4 rates) was fixed within the Andean PACT and is applicable to Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Bolivia is authorised to use 5% and 10% rates, and at the moment Peru is benefiting from an exemption.

For further information

Organizing goods transport

Ports

The national airline company
The port of Good Adventure

Airports

Sea transport organizations

Air transport organizations

Road transport organizations

Rail transport organizations