G/LIC/N/3/COL/13   
16 April 2020  
(02-2957)  Page: 1/8 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
REPLIES TO QUESTIONN AIRE  ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION FOR 201 9 
COLOMBIA  
The following communication1, dated 31 March 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Colombia.  
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Outline of systems  
1. Pursuant to Article 3 of Law No.  7(a) of 1991 regulating Colombia's foreign trade, goods are 
imported and exported in keeping with the principle of free international tra de. This Law empowers 
the Higher Council for Foreign Trade to determine procedures and requirements for  imports and 
exports.  
 
There is a "free import" regime for imports, similar to an automatic licensing system, which in some 
cases requires import registr ation, and a "prior licensing" regime, equivalent to a non -automatic 
licensing system, under which authorization takes the form of an import licence. For most goods, no 
registration or import licence needs to be shown – there are no  requirements other than  the 
submission of a final import declaration to the customs authorities.  
 
Decree No.  925 of 9  May 2013 sets out the provisions relating to applications for registration and 
import licensing.  
 
1  AUTOMATIC LICENSING  
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Apart from goods classified under the prior licensing regime, imports to Colombia are free . 
Normally, the only requirement is that an import declaration be submitted to the customs authorities 
to bring the goods into Colombia . Import registration ( known in ternationally as automatic licensing ) 
with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT) is required for imports subject to 
prerequisites (requirement, permit or authorization) on the part of the competent authorities.  
 
Chapter III of Decree No.  925 of 2013 stipulates that the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade, acting 
through the entities making up its Single  Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE), is the authority 
responsible for examining and deciding on applications for imp ort registration.  
 
3. Automatic licensing applies to all countries. The automatic licensing requirement (import 
registration) depends on whether the goods to be imported are subject to requirements, permits or 
prior authorizations on the part of other cont rol bodies (environmental, sanitary, phytosanitary, 
animal health , etc.).  
 
4. The processing of automatic licences does not restrict the quantity or value of imports. Its purpose 
is essentially  to apply foreign trade policy, particularly aspects relating t o customs, as well as health, 
security and environmental protection controls.  
 
1 New information has been highlighted in bold.  G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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5. Decree Law No.  444 of 1967 and Law No.  7(a) of 1991 form the legal basis for the processing of 
licences. Law No.  7(a) of 1991 established the Higher Council for Foreign Trade , which is the body 
that governs foreign trade and is in charge of determining the import regime for each product 
included in the Customs Tariff.  
 
Procedures  
6.I. Information relating to quotas, formalities for the filing of licence applications, exception s and 
derogations is published in the Official Journal.  
 
II. Quotas are determined on an annual basis. Import licences are issued for six months and may 
be extended for an additional six -month period.  
 
III. Licences are allotted to importers regardless of whether they are producers of like products. 
The regulations require licensees to use a specific percentage of the amounts allocated by the 
licences issued and to surrender unused amounts, which are then reallocated to other eligible 
importers. Unused allo cations are not added to quotas for the following  year. 
 
 The list of importers to whom quotas have been granted is published on the websites of the 
MinCIT and the Single Window for Foreign Trade. The Ministry  of Agriculture and Rural 
Development's also pu blishes the list on its website and in print.  
 
IV. The deadline for the submission of licence applications is normally 30 days from the time of 
opening of the quota.  
 
V. Licence applications are processed in two days.  
 
VI. As regards quotas, there is a time limit for requesting import registration, which is normally 
30 days from the date on which the provision governing the quota is issued . The import period 
runs from the date on which the registration is approved to the quo ta closing date set in  each 
case. 
 
VII. Once the relevant authorizations and permits have been granted by the competent authorities, 
licence applications are examined by a single administrative body under the responsibility of 
the MinCIT.  
 
VIII. Licences a re issued mainly on the basis of the past performance of traditional importers, which 
are allotted a major portion of the quota, the remainder being allocated to new importers.  
 
 Applications for quota allocation are examined simultaneously, the respective  portions are 
allotted, and licence applications are then examined on a first come, first served basis. There 
is no quantitative limit on the allocation to be granted to each applicant.  
 
IX. There are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements.  
 
X. Export permits from exporting countries are not required.  
 
XI. Licences are not issued on the condition that the goods should be exported and not sold on 
the domestic market  
 
 There are no restrictions on the quantity or value of imports (see point 4 a bove).  
 
7.(a) Applications for import registration or automatic licences must be processed by the VUCE 
before the import declaration is submitted, since they constitute a supporting document that 
must be appended to the declaration (Article 556 of Decree N o. 1165 of 2019) . Insofar 
as is possible, the importer should submit this document before the goods arrive in the 
country. However, there is no regulation to prevent the application from being approved if the 
import is permissible, even if the goods are in  Colombia.  
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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  (b) If goods arrive at a port without an import registration, the importer may apply for one 
(automatic licence) from the entities making up the VUCE in the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign 
Trade, on the importer's own account and under the import er's own responsibility. Once the 
import registration has been obtained, the goods must be cleared within one month of their 
arrival.2 Otherwise, the importer must opt for reshipment, abandonment or legalization, as 
provided in the customs legislation (Dec ree No.  1165 of 2019 ). 
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year when applications for import  registration may 
be made.  
 
(d) The MinCIT  Directorate of Foreign Trade, through the entities making up the VUCE, is the 
authority responsible for examining and deciding on applications for import registration. The 
entities forming part of the VUCE must issue an authorization (sanitary, environmen tal, 
national security, etc.) within their respective spheres of  competence within one working 
day of receiving the application, provided that the applicant has met all the relevant 
requirements. The MinCIT must then decide, within one working day , on appl ications 
accompanied by all the approvals delivered by the VUCE  entities.  
 
The requirements, permits and authorizations are specified in Article 25 of Decree No.  925 of  2013 
and in particular in Circular No.  037 of 29  December  2016 and its 22 annexes . 
 
8. Import registrations may be refused if the legal requirements for their aut horization are not met 
or if the data supplied by the importer are unclear or incorrect. Applicants are always informed of 
the reason for the refusal. Since refusals are administrative acts, appeals against such decisions 
must be lodged through legal chann els. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for registration or automatic licensing  
9. Any natural or legal person in the private or even the public sector may apply for import 
registration, either directly or through a customs agency or a duly accredited spec ial representative.  
 
Documents and other requirements for registration or automatic licence applications  
10. Applications for import registration must be submitted electronically to the MinCIT Directorate 
of Foreign Trade. Electronic applications are submi tted through the VUCE, which was created by 
Decree No.  4149 of 10  December  2004. The computer software designed for that purpose enables 
the user to send applications to the entities responsible for granting permits, authorizations and 
prior approval for t he importation of goods where required before they are examined by the entities 
making up the VUCE at the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade. The relevant instructions can be 
accessed in the guides  by clicking the help button on the VUCE website ( http://www.vuce.gov.co ). 
 
Applications for import registration (automatic licences) must be accompanied by the documents 
attesting to the specific conditions of each operation; for example, where the product being imported 
is subject to a technical regulation, it must be accompanied by certificates of conformity attesting to 
its compliance with the relevant requirements. For non -refundable operations, it is no longer 
necessary to indicate the reason why they are non -refundable  or to provide the VUCE with any 
documentation justifying the non -refund, without prejudice to any verification or exchange control 
carried out by the competent authority (see section 1.4 of Circular No.  023 of 2018, available at 
http://www.vuce.gov.co ). 
 
Users are informed by circular and news published on the website http://www.vuce.gov.co  of the 
documents to be appended to import applications, without  prejudice to the provisi on in Article 5  of 
Decree No.  925 of 2013 authorizing requests that the importer supply any additional information 
needed to assess the application.  
 
11. The documents required upon actual importation are set out in Article 556 of Decree No.  1165 
of 2019  (Customs Regime) and its Implementing Order No.  46 of 2019  of the National Tax and 
Customs  Directorate  (DIAN) , and include: import registration or lice nce, where applicable ; 
 
2 Article 10 of Decree No.  2557 of 2007 amended Article 115 of the Customs Statute (Decree  No. 2685 
of 1999).  
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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  commercial invoice, where applicable ; transport document; packing list,  where applicable ; 
certificate of origin or certificate of health, where applicable ; documents required by special 
provisions; power of attorney, where there is n o customs endorsement and the import 
declaration is submitted through a customs agency or a representative; Andean Value 
Declaration and supporting documents, where applicable; sales contract or document 
attesting that foreign products subject to consumpti on tax are destined for third 
countries, where applicable, in accordance with Article 18 of Law No. 677 of 2001, as 
amended by Article 1 of Law No. 1087 of 2006 ; and import declaration.  
 
12. A fee of approximately USD  7.50 is charged for electronic import registrations.  
 
13. The issuing of registrations is not subject to any deposit or advance payment.   
 
Conditions for the issuing of licences  
14. The period of validity of automatic import licences is established in Decree No.  925 of 2013. 
At present, it extends for six months from the date of approval of the registration. Import licences 
for capital goods on the special list issued by the Higher Council for Foreign Trade are valid for 
12 months starting automatically on the date of approval  of the registration.  
 
Automatic licences or registrations may be used throughout the period of their validity, regardless 
of any change in the import regime, for part or all of the goods covered.  
 
Automatic licences or import registrations may be extended for three months, provided that the 
conditions and requirements in the original registration are met and there has been no change of 
regime for any of the goods covered.  
 
In duly evidenced cases, a second and final extension may be granted for ano ther three  months 
and, in the case of capital goods, further extensions may be granted for successive periods of up to 
three months each, without exceeding 12 months.  
 
For functional units, indefinite extensions may be granted for successive periods of up to 
three  months each.  
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilization of an automatic licence or import  registration, or a 
portion thereof.  
 
16. Automatic licences or import registrations may be modified if there is a change of importer, 
provided that the y have not been used with the customs authority. In such cases the relevant 
application must be signed by both the assignor and the assignee.  
  
17. No, there are no conditions attached to the issue of a licence.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No.  
 
19. The MinCIT is not responsible for establishing the availability of foreign exchange for payment 
of imports. There is currently complete availability of foreign exchange to cover the value of imports.  
 
2  NON-AUTOMATIC LICENS ING 
1. When issuing non -automatic i mport licences, the MinCIT Imports Committee applies the import 
policy and criteria established by the National Government.  
  
Purposes and coverage of non -automatic licensing  
2. Chapter II of Decree No.  925 of 2013 covers the imports subject to the prior l icensing regime, 
the definition thereof and other relevant information applicable by the MinCIT Imports Committee in 
the processing of non -automatic licences.  
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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  Electronic applications for prior licences must be submitted through the Single Window for Foreign 
Trade (VUCE).  
 
3. The regime applies to all countries, barring exceptions established in specific provisions.  
 
4. The processing of non -automatic licences is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of 
imports. Its purpose is, essentially, to  apply foreign trade policy according to clearly established 
criteria and to make it easier for users to complete the procedures for foreign trade operations 
required by the various government agencies involved in foreign trade.  
 
5. Decree Law No.  444 of 1 967 and Law No.  7(a) of 1991 form the legal basis for the processing 
of non-automatic licences. Law No.  7(a) of 1991 established the Higher Council for Foreign Trade, 
which is the body that governs foreign trade and is in -charge of determining the import r egime for 
each product included in the Customs Tariff.  
 
Article 14 of Decree No.  925 of 2013 establishes which imports are subject to  non-automatic 
licensing. Annex 1 to this Decree lists the tariff subheadings for which the National Government 
established  the prior licensing regime.  
 
Pursuant to Decree No.  723 of 10  April 2014, the following tariff subheadings have been excluded 
from the above -mentioned Annex 1: 8429.11.00.00, 8429.19.00.00, 8429.51.00.00; 
8429.52.00.00, 8429.59.00.00,  8431.41.00.00, 8431.42.00.00 and 8905.10.00.00.  
 
Decree No. 2133 of 2016 made mercury imports under subheading 2805.40.00.00 subject 
to non -automatic import licensing.  
 
Decree No. 613 of 2017 introduced non -automatic licensing for the import of seeds for 
sowing , cannabis plants, cannabis, derivatives of cannabis and cannabis products.  
 
These decrees are available at http://www.mincit.gov.co/normatividad/decretos .  
 
Procedures  
6.I. Information re lating to quotas, formalities for the filing of licence applications, exceptions and 
derogations is published in the Official Journal.  
  
II. Quotas are determined on an annual basis. Import licences are issued for six months, provided 
that this does not exceed the quota period. Extensions are granted for a maximum of 
three  months, subject to the same condition.  
 
III. Licences are allotted to importers regardless of whether they are producers of like products. 
If an amount is not allocated or used by the importer within the specified time limits, there is 
no subsequent allocation or redistribution.  The amount allocated  to an importer is non -
transferable and must be used by the beneficiary. The list of importers to whom licences have 
been granted is published on the websites of the MinCIT and the Single Window for Foreign 
Trade.  
 
IV. The deadline for the submission of li cence applications is normally no more than 15 days  
from the time of opening of the quota.  
  
V. It normally takes one day to process an application for a non -automatic licence. This is the 
case both for operations under quota arrangements and for all other  applications.  
 
VI. As regards quotas, there is a time limit for requesting a non -automatic import licence, which 
is normally no more than 15 days  from the date on which the provision governing the quota 
is issued . The import period runs from the date on which the non-automatic licence is approved 
to the quota closing date set in each case.  
 
VII. Once the authorizations and permits have been granted by the relevant competent authorities 
through the Single Window for Foreign Trade, licence applications are e xamined by a single 
administrative body, namely the Imports Committee of the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign 
Trade.  G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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VIII. Licences are issued mainly on the basis of the past performance of traditional importers, which 
are allotted a major portion of the quo ta, the remainder being allocated to new importers.  
 
Applications for quota allocation are examined simultaneously, the respective portions are 
allotted, and licence applications are then examined on a first come, first served basis.  
 
IX. There are no bila teral quotas or export restraint arrangements.  
 
X. Export permits from exporting countries are not required.  
 
XI. Licences are not issued on the condition that the goods should be exported and not sold on 
the domestic market  
 
There are no restrictions on the quantity or value of imports under the prior licensing regime.  
 
The Constitution confers exclusivity on the National Government for the import of raw 
materials for explosives, armaments and, in general, goods for use solely by the armed  forces.  
 
7.(a) Authorizations to import goods subject to prior or non -automatic licensing must be processed 
well ahead of time by the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade, inasmuch as Decree  No. 1165 
of 2019  provides that, in order to be cleared by customs, the goods must be covered by a 
prior or non -automatic licence valid on the date of customs clearance.  
 
However, there is no regulation to prevent a non -automatic licence from being obtained if the 
import i s permissible, even if the goods are in Colombia.  
 
(b) If goods subject to prior or non -automatic licensing arrive at a port without a licence, the 
importer may apply to the MinCIT Imports Committee for a prior licence, on the importer's 
own account and un der the importer's own responsibility. If the licence is granted, the goods 
must be cleared within one month of their arrival. Otherwise, the importer must opt for 
reshipment, abandonment or legalization, as provided in the customs legislation (Decree 
No. 1165 of 2019 ). 
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year when licence applications may be made.   
 
(d) Applications for import licences, amendments thereto or cancellations thereof are  submitted 
through the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) . Licence applications are examined by a 
single administrative body, namely the Imports Committee of the MinCIT Directorate  of 
Foreign  Trade, unless the goods to be imported require permits or prior authorizations from 
the relevant authorities. In these ca ses, the entities forming part of the VUCE must process 
applications for import under the non -automatic licensing (prior licensing) regime within two 
working days of the competent entity receiving the application via the VUCE, provided that 
the applicant h as met all the relevant requirements. The MinCIT must then decide within 
one working day on the import licence applications, accompanied where applicable by the 
approvals delivered by the VUCE entities. The requirements, permits and authorizations are 
specified in Article  25 of Decree No.  925 of 2013.  
 
8. Non -automatic import licences may be refused if the legal requirements for their authorization 
are not met or if the data supplied by the importer are incorrect or inaccurate.  
 
Applicants are always inform ed of the reason for the refusal. They may appeal against refusals under 
the Administrative Disputes Code. If all applications for redress to government bodies fail, they may 
apply for judicial review by the administrative courts, the procedures for which are established in 
the Administrative Disputes Code.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for a non -automatic licence  
9. Any natural or legal person in the private or public sector may apply for a prior or 
non-automatic  import licence, either directly or thr ough a customs agency or a duly accredited 
special  representative.  G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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Exclusivity is conferred on the National Government for the import of armaments, raw materials for 
explosives, explosives, etc., through Industria Militar (INDUMIL), in accordance with Dec rees 
Nos. 2535 of 1993 and 1809 of 1994.  
 
10. Applications for import registration must be submitted electronically through the Single  Window 
for Foreign Trade (VUCE) to the MinCIT Imports Committee. This Single Window was created by 
Decree No.  4149 of 10  December  2004. The computer software designed for that purpose enables 
the user to send the application to the entities responsible for granting permits, authorizations or 
prior approval for the importation of goods where required before it is examined by the Imports 
Committee. The import licence application form and the relevant instructions can be accessed at 
http://www.vuce.gov.co/vuce/vuce -2-0. 
 
Applications must be accompanied by the documents attesting to the specific conditions of each 
operation; for example, in the case of goods under special market conditions, the supporting 
documents must include a technical data sheet, catalogues, etc. (Article 5  of Decree No.  925 
of 2013).  
 
Users are informed by circular of the documents to be appended to import applications, without 
prejudice to the provision in Decree No.  925 of 2013 authorizing requests that the importer supply 
any additional information needed to assess the application.  
 
11. The documents required upon actual importation are set out in Article 556 of  Decree No.  1165 
of 2019  (Customs Regime) and its Implementing Order No.  46 of 2019  of the National Tax and 
Customs  Directorate  (DIAN) , and include: import registration or licence,  where applicable ; 
commercial invoice, where applicable ; transport document; packing list,  where applicable ; 
certificate of origin or certificate of health, where applicable ; documents required by special 
provisions; power of attorney, where there is no cu stoms endorsement and the import 
declaration is submitted through a customs agency or a representative; Andean Value 
Declaration and supporting documents, where applicable; sales contract or document 
attesting that foreign products subject to consumption t ax are destined for third 
countries, where applicable, in accordance with Article 18 of Law No. 677 of 2001, as 
amended by Article 1 of Law No. 1087 of 2006 ; and import declaration.  
 
12. A fee of approximately USD  7.50 is charged for applications for non -automatic licences. With 
the implementation of the VUCE  2.0 platform, the purchase of software for the mass transmission 
of applications was abolished since importers can use the platform for this purpose. Importers were 
notified of this change through Circ ular No.  037 of 2018 of the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade.  
 
13. The issuing of licences is not subject to any deposit or advance payment.  
 
Conditions for the issuing of non -automatic licences  
14. The period of validity of prior or non-automatic import licences is established in Decree No.  925 
of 2013. Under Article 6 of the Decree, non -automatic licences are valid for a period of six  months 
starting on the date of approval.  
 
Licences for capital goods on the special list issued by t he Higher Council for Foreign Trade have a 
period of validity of 12 months starting on the date of approval. Licences covering imports 
of substances classified as narcotics precursors are valid for a period of three months. In the case 
of products subject to requirements, permits or authorizations by other control entities, the validity 
of the licence will depend on the date on which the permit was granted, without  exceeding the 
aforementioned time limits.  
 
Import licences may be extended by the Imports Com mittee for a period of three months, provided 
that application is made before the expiry of the licence originally granted.  
 
In duly evidenced cases, a further extension may be granted for another three months and, in the 
case of capital goods, further ext ensions may be granted for successive periods of up to three months 
each, without exceeding 12 months. For functional units, indefinite extensions may be granted for 
successive periods of up to three months each.  
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/13  
 
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  15. There is no penalty for the non -utilization of a non -automatic licence, or a portion thereof.  
 
16. Non -automatic import licences may be modified if there is a change of importer. In such cases 
the relevant application must be signed by both the assignor and the assignee. In the specific case 
of goods imported solely through INDUMIL, transfers are not allowed.  
 
In the case of narcotics precursors, no modification may be made to import licences under the 
headings concerning the importer, period of utilization of the licence, or products covered. Approval 
by the National Narcotics Council is needed for any other accepted change.  
 
17. No, there are no conditions attached to the issue of a licence.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No.  
 
19. The MinCIT  is not responsible for establishing the availability of foreign exchange for payment 
of imports. There is currently complete availability of foreign exchange to cover the value of imports.  
 
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