G/LIC/N/3/COL/12  
22 March  2019 
(19-1801) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON  
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION FOR 2018 
COLOMBIA  
The following communication , dated 15 March  2019, 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 internation al trade . 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 au tomatic licensing system, which in some 
cases requires import registration, and a "prior l icensing" 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 ap plications for registration and 
import licensing . 
 
1  AUTOMATIC LICENSING  
Purposes and coverag e of licensing  
2. Apart from goods classified under the prior licensing regime, imports to Colombia are free and  
mostly  subject only to the submission to the customs authoritie s of the import declaration for entry 
of the goods into Colombian territory . Import regist ration (an automatic licence in international 
parlance) with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism  (MinCIT) is required for imports subject 
to prerequisites (requirement, permit o r authorization) on the part of the competent authorities . 
 
Chapter III of Decree No. 925 of 2013 stipulates that the M inCIT Direc torate 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 im port registration . 
 
3. Automatic licensing applies to all countries . The automati c licensing requirement (import 
registration) depends on whether the goods to be imported are subj ect to requirements, permits or  
prior authorizations on the part of other con trol (environmental, sanitary, phytosanitary, etc.) 
bodies . 
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/12  
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  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 the aspects relating to  custom s, as well as 
health, security and environmental protection controls . 
 
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 and every one 
of the products included in the Customs Tariff . 
 
Proced ures 
6. 
 
I. Information relating 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 and may 
be extended for further six -month periods . 
 
III. Licences are allotted to import ers regardless of whether they are producers of like products . 
The regulations require licensees to utilize 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 allocations 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 list is also posted on the Minist ry of 
Agriculture and Rural Development's website as well as issued 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 three days . 
 
VI. As regards quotas, there is a time -limit for requesting import registration, which is normally 
30 days from the date of issuance of the provision governing the quota . The import period  
runs from the date of approval of the registration until the quota clo sing 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 are 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 arran gements . Export permits from exporting  
countries are not required . 
 
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 ar e no restrictions on the quantity or value of imports (see point 4 above ). 
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/12  
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  7. 
 
(a) Applications for import reg istration or automatic licence s 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 121 of Decree No. 2685 of 1999) . 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.  
 
(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 M inCIT Directorate of Foreign 
Trade, on his own account and under his own responsibility . Once the import registration has 
been obtained, the goods must be cleared within one month of their arrival .1 Otherwise, the 
importer must opt for reshipment, abandonme nt or legalization, as provided in the customs 
legislation ( Decree No. 2685 of 1999 ). 
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year when applications for registration may  be made . 
 
(d) The M inCIT 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 two  working days 
of receiving the application, provided that the applicant has met all the relevant requirements . 
The MinCIT  must then decide, within 12 working  hours, on ap plications 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 2 9 December  2016. 
 
8. Import registrati ons may be refused if the legal requirements for their authorization 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 channels . 
 
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 dire ctly or through a customs agency or a duly accred ited special representative . 
 
Documents and other requirements for registration or automatic licence application  
10. Applications for import registration must be submitted electronically to the MinCIT  Directorate 
of Foreign Trade . Electronic applications are submitted through the Single Window for Foreign  Trade  
(VUCE) 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 entities making up the VUCE at the MinCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade . The relevant 
instructions c an be accessed 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 attest ing 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 ). 
 
                                                
1 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/12  
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  Users are informed by circular and news published on the website  www.vuce.gov.co  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 Decree No. 2685 of 1999 
(Customs  Regime) and its Implementing Order No. 4240 of 2000 of the National Customs and Excise 
Directorate, and include : import registration or licence, commercial invoice, transport document, 
certificate of origin in some cases, documents required by special provisions, power of attorney, 
packing list where applicable, and import declaration . 
 
12. A fee of approximately USD 15 is charged for electronic import registrations . 
 
13. The issuing of reg istrations 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  
condition s 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 another three months 
and, in the case of capital goods, f urther 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 su ccessive periods of up to 
three  months each . 
 
15. There is no penalty for the  non-utilization of an automa tic licence or registration, or a portion 
thereof . 
 
16. Automatic licences or import registrations may be modified if there is a change of importer , 
provided that they 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 LICENSING  
1. When issuing non -automatic import lice nces, 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 licensing re gime, 
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/12  
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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 1967 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 regime for 
each and every one of the products 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 r egime.  
 
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. 723 is available at : http://www.mincit.gov.co/normatividad/decretos/2014 . 
 
Proced ures 
6. 
 
I. Information relating 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 licence applications is normally 30 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 30 days from the date of issuance of the provision governing the quota . The import 
period runs from the date of approval of the non -automatic licence until the quota closing date 
set in each case . 
 
VII. Once the authorizations and permits have bee n granted by the relevant competent authorities 
through the  Single Window for Foreign Trade , licence applications are examined by  a single 
administrative body, namely the Imports Co mmittee of the MinCIT  Directorate of Foreign 
Trade . 
 
VIII. Licences are iss ued 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 . G/LIC/N/3/COL/12  
- 6 - 
  Applications for quota allocation are examined simultaneously, the respective portion s 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 . Export pe rmits from exporting 
countries are not required . 
 
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  Director ate of Foreign Trade, inasmuch as  Decree  No. 2685 
of 1999 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 is 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 his own account 
and under his own responsibility . If the licence is granted, 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 ( Decree No. 2685 of 1999 ). 
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year when li cence 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 t he 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 cases,  the entities forming part of the VUCE  must process 
applications for import under the non -automatic licensing (prior licensing ) regime within 
three  working days of the competent entity receiving the application via the VUCE, provided 
that the applicant has 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 informed of the reason for the refusal . They m ay 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 Di sputes Code . 
 
                                                
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/12  
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  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 through a customs agency or a duly accredit ed 
special  representative . 
 
Exclusivity is conferred on the National Government for the import of armaments, raw  material s for 
explosives, explosives , etc., through the military industry, in accordance with Decrees  
Nos. 2535 of 1993 and 1809 of 1994 . 
 
10. Applications for import registration must be submi tted electronically through the Single  Window 
for Foreign Trade (VUCE) to the MinCIT  Imports Committee . This Single Window was created by 
Decree No. 4149 of 1 0 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 appl ication 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 121 of Decree No. 2685 
of 1999  and include : automatic licence or non -automatic licence  (the latter  approved by the MinCIT  
Imports Committee ), commercial invoice, transport document, certificate of origin in some cases, 
documents required by special provisions, power of attorney, packing list where applicable, and 
import declaration . 
 
12. A fee of approximately US D 15 is charged for application s for non-automatic licences . With the 
implementation of the V UCE 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 t hrough Circular No.  037 of 2018 of t he 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 licence s are valid for a period of six  months 
starting on the date of approval . 
 
Licences for capital goods on the special list issued by the 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 Commit tee 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 extensi ons 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 -utilizatio n of a non -automatic licence, or a portion thereof . G/LIC/N/3/COL/12  
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  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 goo ds imported solely through the military industry (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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