WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
27 October 2008 
 
 (08-5217) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   Spanish 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement  
 
COLOMBIA 
 
  The following communication, dated 20 October 2008, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Colombia.  
_______________ 
 
 
Notification Concerning the Year 2007
 
  Outline of systems
 
1. Pursuant to Article 3 of Law 7(a) of 1991 re gulating Colombia's foreign trade, goods are 
imported and exported in keeping with the principle of free international trade.  This Law empowers 
the Higher Council for Foreign Trade to determin e procedures and requirements for imports and 
exports. 
 There is a "free import" regime for imports, similar to an automatic licensing system, and a 
"prior licensing" regime, equivalent to a non-automatic licensing system.  For most goods, no registration or licence needs to be shown – there are no requirements other than the submission of a 
final import declaration to the customs authorities. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
I. AUTOMATIC LICENSING 
2. Apart from goods classified under the prior licensing regime, imports to Colombia are free, 
subject only to the submission to the customs auth orities of the import declaration for entry of the 
goods into Colombian territory.  Import registration (an automatic licence in international parlance) 
with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism (MCIT) is required for imports subject to prior 
authorization from government bodies. 
 Under Decree 4406 of 2004, amended by D ecrees 1846 of 2005 and 4553 of 2005, import 
registration (automatic licensing) was abolished for imports subject to minimum descriptions, for auto 
parts and for imports made under a special import/export programme. 
                                                      
1 For the questionnaire, see the annex to document G/LIC/3. G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
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   The MCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade is the authority responsible for processing import 
registrations, where appropriate, in accordance w ith the criteria and procedures established in 
Article 2 of Decree 3803 of 31 October 2006. 
 Under Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004 ratio nalizing certain foreign trade formalities and 
procedures, applications for import registra tion may be filed electronically through the 
Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE). 
3. The regime applies to all countries, barri ng exceptions established in specific provisions. 
4. The processing of automatic licences is not inte nded to restrict the quantity or value of 
imports.  Its purpose is, essentially, to apply foreign trade policy, particularly the aspects relating to 
customs and foreign exchange, as well as health, security and environmental protection controls. 
5. Decree Law 444 of 1967 and Law 7(a) of 1991 form the legal basis for the processing of 
licences.  Law 7(a) of 1991 established the Higher C ouncil for Foreign Trade, which is the body that 
governs foreign trade and is in charge of determini ng the import regime for each and every one of the 
products included in the Customs Tariff. 
Procedures
 
6. There are no restrictions on the quantity or value of imports (see point 4 above). 
7. (a) Where appropriate, applications for import registration or automatic licensing must be 
processed by the MCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade at least two days before the goods are removed from customs. 
(b) If goods arrive at a port without an import registration, the importer may apply for 
one to the MCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade, on his own account and under his own 
responsibility.  Once the import registrati on has been obtained, the goods must be 
cleared within two months of their arrival.  Otherwise, the importer must opt for re-exportation, abandonment or legalization, as provided in the customs legislation 
(Decree 2685 of 1999). 
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year when applications for registration may 
be made. 
(d) The MCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade is the authority responsible for processing 
applications for import registration.  At presen t, the registration is issued one day after 
the application is filed. 
 Under Decrees 4406 of 2004 and 1846 of 2005, au thorizations, requirements or permits are 
prerequisites for the approval of applications for the registration of imports of fisheries resources, 
surveillance and private security equipment, radioac tive isotopes and materials, goods for use solely 
by the police, hydrocarbons and gasoline, and of pro ducts subject to health control in connection with 
the preservation of human, plant and animal health, compliance with Technical Regulations, dynamic test emissions certification, vehicle approval, quan titative safeguard quotas, and controls to guarantee 
the protection of the environment under interna tional treaties, conventions and protocols. 
8. Import registrations may be refused if the lega l requirements for their authorization are not 
met or if the data supplied by the importer are false or inaccurate.  Applicants are always informed of 
the reason for the refusal.  G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
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  Eligibility of importers to apply fo r registration or automatic licensing  
9. Any natural or legal person in the privat e sector may apply for import registration. 
Documents and other requirements for regis tration or automatic licence application  
10. Applications for import registration must be submitted electronically to the MCIT Directorate 
of Foreign Trade.  Electronic applications ar e submitted through the Single Window for Foreign 
Trade (VUCE) created by Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004.  The computer software designed for 
that purpose enables the user to send the applica tion to the entities responsible for granting permits, 
authorizations or prior approval for the importation of goods where required before it is examined by 
the Directorate of Foreign Trade.  The relevant in structions can be accessed by clicking on the help 
button of the web site (www.vuce.gov.co). 
 Decree 3803 of 2006 empowers the MCIT Director ate of Foreign Trade to determine the 
documents to be appended to im port applications.  Users are informed thereof by circular. 
11. The documents required upon actual importation are set out in Decree 2685 of 1999 
(Customs Regime) and its Implementing Order 424 0 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 US$10 is charged for electronic import registrations.  Users wishing 
to access the VUCE for the first time must purchase the necessary software at an annual price of three 
minimum monthly wages.  Yearly renewal of the service costs 1.5 minimum monthly wages.  The 
MCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade publishes a circ ular notifying the value of the minimum monthly 
wage for the purpose of purchasing or renewing the software.  
13. The issuing of registrations is not subj ect 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 3803/06. 
At present, it extends for six months from the date of 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 registration. 
 Automatic licences or registrations may be used throughout the period of their validity, 
regardless of any change in the import regi me, for part or all of the goods covered. 
 Automatic licences or import registrations may be  extended for up to three months provided 
that the conditions and requirements in the original  registration are met and there has been no change 
in the import regime for any of the goods covered.  In exceptional cases, duly evidenced, in particular 
specially manufactured capital goods or products difficu lt to obtain in the international market owing 
to shortage of supply, the Deputy Director of D esign and Administration of Operations of the MCIT 
Directorate of Foreign Trade may grant further extensions for successive periods of up to three months each. 
15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of an au tomatic licence or registration, or a portion 
thereof. G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
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  16. Automatic licences or import registrations may be modified if there is a change of importer.  
In such cases the relevant application must be signe d by both the assignor and the assignee.  Similarly, 
another natural or legal person may apply for the au tomatic licences or import registrations, in which 
case they must be endorsed by both parties. 
17. No. 
Other procedural requirements
 
18. No. 
19. The Directorate of Foreign Trade is not respons ible for establishing the availability of foreign 
exchange for payment of imports.  Currently, there is complete availability of foreign exchange to 
cover the value of imports. 
II. NON-AUTOMATIC LICENSING 
 In issuing non-automatic import licences, the Imports Committee of the Ministry of Trade, 
Industry and Tourism (MCIT) applies the import pol icy and criteria established by the Higher Council 
for Foreign Trade.  Purposes and coverage of non-automatic licensing
 
2. Articles 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12 to 15 of Decree 3803/06 set out the criteria and procedures 
applicable by the MCIT Imports Committee in th e processing of non-automatic licences.  Imports 
subject to the prior licensing regime cover goods classified for national security reasons, i.e. explosives, armaments and other military equipm ent;  chemical products used in the manufacture 
and processing of narcotic drugs;  defective, used or remaindered goods and wastes;  applications for 
exemption from customs duties;  applications under the annual licensing system;  non-refundable 
imports in six particular cases;  and imports by official entities, other than for gasoline and urea. 
 Under Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004 ratio nalizing certain foreign trade formalities and 
procedures, applications for prior licences may be submitted electronically through the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE). 
3. The regime applies to all countries, barri ng exceptions established in specific provisions. 
4. The processing of non-automatic licences is not in tended to restrict the quantity or value of 
imports.  Its purpose is, essentially, to apply fore ign 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 444 of 1967 and Law 7(a) of 1991 fo rm the legal basis for the processing of non-
automatic licences.  Law 7(a) of 1991 established th e 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 3 of Decree 3803/06 establishes the im ports which are subject to non-automatic 
licensing (see point II.2 above).  G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
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  Procedures  
6. The prior licensing regime does not cover imports  of products subject to quantity or value 
restrictions. 
 The Constitution confers exclusivity on the National Government for the import of raw 
materials for explosives, armaments and, in gene ral, 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 MCIT Di rectorate of Foreign Trade, inasmuch as 
Decree 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.  
In the case of narcotic drugs, applications must be submitted to the MCIT Directorate 
of Foreign Trade in the first 25 days of th e month and approval is given in the last 
five days of the month. The above-mentioned Decree authorizes advance deliveries of goods in special cases.  Advance deliveries are those deemed to be urgent, such as 
medicines or goods needed in the event of natural disasters. 
(b) If goods subject to prior or non-automatic licensing arrive at a port without a licence, 
the importer may apply for one to the MCIT Imports Committee, on his own account 
and under his own responsibility.  If a licence is granted, the goods must be cleared 
within two months of their arrival.  Otherwise, the importer must opt for re-exportation, abandonment or legalization, as provided in the customs legislation 
(Decree 2685 of 1999). 
(c) As a rule, there are no limitations as to th e time of year when licence applications 
may be made.  However, to ensure e ffective control, in accordance with 
Joint Circular of INCOMEX (now the Directorate of Foreign Trade of the MCIT) No. 059 and the National Narcotics Directorate No. 01 of 25 July 1995, applications for prior or non-automatic licences for impor ts of substances classified as narcotics 
precursors in National Narcotics Council Resolutions 009 of 1987, 007 of 1992 and 
001 of 1995 must be filed with the MCIT  Imports Committee not later than the 
25
th day of the month preceding the month of importation, subject to a certificate 
attesting no record of drug trafficking having been obtained from the National 
Narcotics Directorate. 
(d) The MCIT Imports Committee is the authority that examines and decides on 
applications for prior or non-automatic import licences.  At present, it takes 
approximately five days to issue an import licence. 
In addition to the afore-mentioned authori zations for automatic licensing, in some 
cases authorizations must be obtained from other State bodies, for example: 
- Authorization from the Ministry of Social Protection for imports of X-ray 
apparatus and medical and dental equipment; 
- Authorization or permission from the Food and Drug Surveillance Institute 
(INVIMA) or the ICA (Colombian Agricultural Institute) for imports of foods and chemicals, depending on whether they are for human or animal use; G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
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  - Authorization from the Ministry of Mining and Energy for applications for 
exemption from customs duties for goods to be used in mineral or hydrocarbon exploration; 
- Authorization from the Ministry of Mining and Energy for imports of 
radioactive material; 
- Authorization from the National Narc otics Directorate for imports of 
controlled drugs. 
8. Non-automatic import licences may be refused  if the legal requirements for their 
authorization are not met or if the data supp lied by the importer are incorrect or inaccurate. 
 Applicants are always informed of the reas on for the refusal.  They may appeal against 
refusals under the Administrative Disputes Code. 
 If all applications for redress to government bodi es fail, they may apply for judicial review by 
the administrative courts, the procedures for whic h are established in the Administrative Disputes 
Code. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for a non-automatic licence
 
9. Any natural or legal person, public or private,  may apply for a prior or non-automatic import 
licence. 
 As stated above, exclusivity is conferred on the National Government for the import of 
armaments, raw materials for explosives, explosiv es etc., through the military industry, in accordance 
with Decrees 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 th e MCIT Imports Committee.  This Single Window 
was created by Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004.  The computer software designed for that purpose 
enables the user to send the application to the ent ities responsible for granting permits, authorizations 
or prior approval for the importation of goods where required before it is ex amined by the Imports 
Committee.  The relevant instructi ons can be accessed by clicking on the help button of the web site 
(www.vuce.gov.co). 
 Decree 3803/06 empowers the MCIT Imports Comm ittee to determine the documents to be 
appended to import applications. 
11. The documents required upon actual importati on are set out in Decree 2685 of 1999 and 
include:  non-automatic licence approved by th e MCIT Imports Committee, commercial invoice, 
transport document, certificate of origin in certa in cases, documents required by special provisions, 
power of attorney, packing list where applicable and import declaration. 
12. A fee of approximately US$10 is charged for i ssuing non-automatic licen ces.  Users wishing 
to access the VUCE for the first time must purchase the necessary software at an annual price of three 
minimum monthly wages.  Yearly renewal of the service costs 1.5 minimum monthly wages.  The 
MCIT Directorate of Foreign Trade publishes a circ ular notifying the value of the minimum monthly 
wage for the purposes of purchasing or renewing the software. 
13. The issuing of licences is not subject to any deposit or advance payment.  G/LIC/N/3/COL/6 
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  Conditions for the issuing of non-automatic licences  
14. The period of validity of prior or non-auto matic import licences is established in 
Decree 3803/06.  Under Articles 9 and 10 of the Decree, prior licences are automatically valid for a period of six months starting on the date of a pproval.  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 
automatically on the date of approval.  Licences c overing imports of substances classified as narcotics 
precursors are valid for a period of three months. 
 Approved licences may be used throughout the peri od of validity, regardless of any change in 
the import regime, for all or part of the goods covered. 
 Import licences may be extended once only and for up to three months provided that 
application is made before the expiry of the licen ce and is fully justified.  In exceptional cases, duly 
evidenced, in particular specially manufactured ca pital goods or goods difficult to obtain in the 
international market owing to shor tage of supply, the Imports Committee may grant further extensions 
for successive periods of up to three months each. 
15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of a non-automatic licence or 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 the military industry (INDUMIL), transfers are not allowed. 
 In the case of narcotics precursors, no modifi cation may be made to import licences under the 
headings concerning the importer, quantity, period of  utilization of the licence or products.  Approval 
by the National Narcotics Directorate is  needed for any other accepted change. 
17. No. 
Other procedural requirements
 
18. No. 
19. The Directorate of Foreign Trade, and in particular the Imports Committee, are not 
responsible for establishing the availability of fore ign exchange for payment of imports.  Currently, 
there is complete availability of foreig n exchange to cover the value of imports. 
__________