WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/STR/N/10/COL 
G/STR/N/11/COL 8 June 2007 
 
 
(07-2374) 
Working Party on State Trading Enterprises Original:   Spanish 
  
STATE TRADING 
 
New and Full Notification Pursuant to  Article XVII.4(a) of the GATT 1994
 
and Paragraph 1 of the Understanding on  
the Interpretation of Article XVII  
 
COLOMBIA 
   The following communication, dated 23 May 2007, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Colombia. 
 
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 G/STR/N/10/COL 
G/STR/N/11/COL Page 2 
 
 
  STATE TRADING 
 
I. ENUMERATION OF STATE TRADING ENTERPRISES 
A. I
DENTIFICATION OF STATE TRADING ENTERPRISES1 
 Fábrica de Licores y Alcoholes de Antioquia2, Industria Licorera de Bolívar3, Industria 
Licorera de Boyacá3, Industria Licorera de Caldas4, Industria Licorera del Cauca4, Empresa de Licores 
de Cundinamarca4, Empresa Licorera del Chocó4, Industria Licorera del Huila3, Empresa Licorera del 
Magdalena3, Fábrica de Licores del Tolima4, Industria de Licores del Valle4, Unidad de Licores del 
Meta2, Empresa Licorera de Santander3, Empresa de Licores del Caquetá4 and Aguardiente Nariño.2 
 
B. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS AFFECTED (INCLUDING TARIFF ITEM NUMBER (S) ENCOMPASSED 
IN PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ) 
FÁBRICA DE LICORES Y ALCOHOLES DE ANTIOQUIA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Antioqueño ( aguardiente  or sugar-cane 
liquor)  22.08.40.00.00  
Ron Medellín Añejo (aged rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
 
INDUSTRIA LICORERA DE BOLIVAR 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Licor Tres Esquinas (rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
 
INDUSTRIA LICORERA DE BOYACA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Onix 22.08.40.00.00 
Aguardiente Líder 22.08.90.42.00 
Ron Boyacá (rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Tunja (rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
 
                                                      
1 Not all Colombian distillers operate as or are constitu ted as State industrial and trading enterprises.  
Some form an integral part of the department or are under concession. 
2 Distillery attached to the department. 
3 Concessionaire enterprise. 
4 State industrial and trading enterprise. 
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  INDUSTRIA LICORERA DE CALDAS 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Cristal 22.08.40.00.00 
Aguardiente Amarillo de Manzanares (yellow 
aguardiente ) 22.08.90.42.00 
Aguardiente Cristal sin Azúcar (sugar-free 
aguardiente ) 22.08.90.49.00 
Ron Viejo de Caldas (aged rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Extraviejo Juan de la Cruz  (extra-aged rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Joven de Caldas (young rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
 
INDUSTRIA LICORERA DEL CAUCA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Caucano 22.08.90.42.00 
Ron Añejo del Cauca (aged rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
 
EMPRESA DE LICORES DE CUNDINAMARCA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Néctar Azul  22.08.40.00.00  
Aguardiente Néctar Tradicional 22.08.40.00.00 
Licor Anisado Néctar Club sin azúcar (sugar-free  
anise-flavoured liqueur) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Blanco Sun Dry (white rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
Ron Santafé (rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
 
EMPRESA LICORERA DEL CHOCÓ 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Platino  22.08.40.00.00  
Aguardiente Platino Deluxe  sin Azúcar (sugar-free  
aguardiente ) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Añejo Citará (aged rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
 
INDUSTRIA LICORERA DEL HUILA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Doble Anís (anise-flavoured a guardiente ) 22.08.40.00.00  
Ron San Agustín (rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
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  EMPRESA LICORERA DEL MAGDALENA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Ron Caña Negro (sugar-cane rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
 
FÁBRICA DE LICORES DEL TOLIMA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Tapa Roja  22.08.40.00.00  
Licor de Aguardiente Tapa Roja Ice (low-alcohol 
aguardiente ) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Viejo San Juan (aged rum)  22.08.40.00.00  
 
INDUSTRIA DE LICORES DEL VALLE DEL CAUCA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Blanco del Valle (white aguardiente ) 22.08.40.00.00 
Ron Trapiche Premium (premium rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
 
 The objective of Industria de Licores del Valle  is to produce and market alcohol, spirits and 
beverages in order to transfer significant resources to the department of Cauca Valley for the benefit 
and support of health, education, sports, culture and recreation. 
 
UNIDAD DE LICORES DEL META 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Llanero  22.08.40.00.00  
Ron San Martín Añejo (aged rum) 22.08.40.00.00 
 
EMPRESA LICORERA DE SANTANDER 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Santander  22.08.40.00.00  
 
EMPRESA DE LICORES DEL CAQUETA 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Extra del Caquetá (premium aguardiente ) 22.08.40.00.00  
Aguardiente Sol Dorado 22.08.40.00.00 
 
AGUARDIENTE NARIÑO 
 
PRODUCT NAME HS NUMBER 
Aguardiente Nariño  22.08.40.00.00   G/STR/N/10/COL 
 G/STR/N/11/COL 
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  II. REASON AND PURPOSE 
A. REASON OR PURPOSE FOR ESTABLISHING AND /OR MAINTAINING STATE TRADING 
ENTERPRISE  
 Colombian distilleries represent a significant source of income for the departmental tax 
authorities which ensure the sustainability of hea lth services in many regions of the country.  
Furthermore, the distilleries' profits are transferred to  the departments, in some cases in their entirety.  
In short, the reasons for the existe nce of the distilleries are as follows: 
 
1. Ease of administration an d monitoring of tax payments. 
 
2. Profits go to the departments, not to a private entity. 
 
3. Resources are invested in de prived areas of the country. 
 
4. Departmental distilleries are subject to an additional tax which private enterprises 
would not be prepared to pay. 
 
5. Job creation. 
 
6. Taxes generated of  approximately 1,096 billion Colombian pesos. 
 
B. SUMMARY OF LEGAL BASIS FOR GRANTING THE RELEVANT EXCLUSIVE OR SPECIAL RIGHTS 
OR PRIVILEGES , INCLUDING LEGAL PROVISIONS AND SUMMARY OF STATUTORY OR 
CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS  
 Under Article 336 of the Political Constitution of Colombia, Article 61 of Law No. 14 of 
1983 and Decree No. 1222 of 1986 and Law No. 788 of 2002, the departments, i.e. the territorial 
divisions of the country, are independent administra tors of the spirits monopoly, with discretion to 
allocate revenue on the basis of preferential a llocation to the education and health services. 
 
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE STATE TRADING ENTERPRISE 
 The departmental distilleries produce, export and import alcoholic be verages.  Individual 
traders may engage in export and import activities af ter concluding a contract ual agreement with the 
department concerned.  The agreement includes clauses concerning the term of validity and the 
quantity of spirits that may be distributed, as well as the department's pe rcentage share under the 
monopoly of the sale price of the products.  IV. STATISTICAL INFORMATION 
• TABLE I Structure of the Colombian domestic and imported spirits market 
2002-2006. 
 
• TABLES II Sales of rum and of aguardiente  on the domestic market 2002-2006. 
 
• TABLE III Industria Licorera de Caldas.  Exports 2002-2006. 
 
• TABLE IV Fábrica de Licores y Alcoholes de Antioquia.  Exports 2002-2006. 
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  • TABLE V Empresa de Licores de C undinamarca.  Exports 2002-2006. 
 
• TABLE VI Industria Licorera del Valle.  Exports 2002-2006. 
 
• TABLE VII Fábrica de Licores y Alc oholes de Antioquia.  Imports 2003 to 
September 2006. 
 
• TABLE VIII Empresa de Licores de  Cundinamarca.  Imports 2003 to 
September 2006. 
 
• TABLE IX Industria Licorera del Va lle.  Imports 2003 to September 2006. 
  G/STR/N/10/COL 
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  TABLE I 
 
STRUCTURE OF THE COLOMBIAN SPIRITS MARKET 
 
2002-2006 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR PRODUCT 
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
WHISKY  1.52 2.32 2.97 2.91 4.05 
VODKA  0.36 0.38 0.40 0.44 0.44 
GIN  0.04 0.08 0.10 0.07 0.07 
BRANDY-COGNAC  0.16 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.05 
IMPORTED RUM  0.50 0.52 0.72 0.69 0.40 
TEQUILA  0.07 0.10 0.17 0.16 0.23 
MISC. SPIRITS  1.65 2.27 3.53 2.59 1.88 
AGUARDIENTE  88.18 85.37 82.61 74.71 72.11 
DOMESTIC RUM  36.12 35.17 44.63 48.53 52.48 
TOTAL SPIRITS  128.60 126.27 135.15 130.11 131.71 
Note: Excludes data relating to the informal market and products not considered as di stilled spirits pursuant to 
Decree No. 365/95. 
Source : Data from the Fondo-Cuenta  (account fund for taxes on the consumption of foreign products) and the Asociación 
Colombiana de Industrias Licoreras , ACIL (Colombian Distillers' Association). 
 G/STR/N/10/COL 
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  TABLE II 
 
SALES OF RUM ON THE DOMESTIC MARKET 
 
2002-2006 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR Description of 
product 
(including 
HS number)  DISTILLERY 
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
ANTIOQUIA  15.43 19.02 25.60 27.28 28.23 
CALDAS  14.88 11.53 15.15 17.82 21.31 
CUNDINAMARCA  3.20 2.55 3.17 3.06 2.52 
VALLE  0.22 1.33 0.48 0.17 0.20 
BOYACA  0.15 0.04 0.01 0.05 0.16 
CAQUETA  - -    
HUILA  0.02 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.01 
MAGDALENA  - 0.01 0.05 0.04 0.02 
META  0.01 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.01 
NARIÑO  0.20 0.64    
NORTE DE 
SANTANDER  - -    
PUTUMAYO  0.49 -    
SANTANDER  - -    
TOLIMA  - - 0.05 0.07 0.01 
CAUCA  -   0.00 0.00 
CONSORCIO S.M.  1.51 -    
CHOCO    0.07  0.00 22.08.40.00/RUM  
TOTAL  36.12 35.17 44.63 48.53 52.48 
Source : Colombian Distillers' Association ( Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Licoreras , ACIL). 
Calculations: Ministry of Co mmerce, Industry and Tourism.  G/STR/N/10/COL 
 G/STR/N/11/COL 
 Page 9 
 
 
  TABLE II (Cont'd) 
 
SALES OF AGUARDIENTE ON THE DOMESTIC MARKET 
 
2002-2006 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR Description of 
product 
(including 
HS number)  DISTILLERY 
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
ANTIOQUIA 30.33 29.90 27.10  26 26.16 
CALDAS 8.86 8.97 8.29 7 6.43 
CUNDINAMARCA 19.74  17.67 17.56  17 15.73 
META 1.52 1.68 1.37  1 1.07 
TOLIMA 1.97 2.05 2.16  2 1.49 
VALLE 13.18 11.70  13.29  9 10.65 
CAUCA 3.91 3.84  3.90  4 2.85 
BOYACA 1.37 1.23 1.14  1 1.43 
CAQUETA 1.22 1.19 1.13  1 0.51 
HUILA 2.01 2.02 2.00 2 1.73 
SANTANDER 0.81 0.70 0.23  0 0.23 
NARIÑO 1.54 3.14 3.43  3 2.81 
NORTE DE 
SANTANDER 0.59 0.42 0.29 0 0.15 
MAGDALENA 0.01      
CHOCO 1.11  0.87 0.72 1 0.87  
PUTUMAYO      22.08.40.00/ 
AGUARDIENTE 
TOTAL 88.18 85.37 82.61 74.71 72.11 
Source : Colombian Distillers' Association ( Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Licoreras , ACIL). 
Calculations: Ministry of Co mmerce, Industry and Tourism. G/STR/N/10/COL 
G/STR/N/11/COL Page 10 
 
 
  TABLE III 
 
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON AGUARDIENTE AND RUM EXPORTS 
 
STATE TRADING:  INDUSTRIA LICORERA DE CALDAS 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR Description of 
product(s) 
(including 
HS number(s))  Quantity 
exported b y 
State 
trading 
enterpriseAverage 
procurement 
price 
US$ (1)  Average 
representative 
domestic sales 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
export price 
US$ National 
production
 1 2 3 4 5 6 
2002 22.08.40.00 1.93 2.38 3.79 1.67 124.30 
2003 22.08.40.00 2.63 1.88 4.15 1.84 120.54 
2004 22.08.40.00 0.98 2.25 5.08 2.27 127.24 
2005 22.08.40.00 1.28 2.45 5.82 2.59 123.23 
2006 22.08.40.00 1.12 2.24 5.84 2.24 124.59 
Source : Colombian Distillers' Association ( Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Licoreras , ACIL). 
(1) Domestic price (Colombian pesos) Average a nnual exchange rate – Banco de la República. 
Calculations: Ministry of Co mmerce, Industry and Tourism.  G/STR/N/10/COL 
 G/STR/N/11/COL 
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  TABLE IV 
 
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON AGUARDIENTE AND RUM EXPORTS 
 
STATE TRADING:  FÁBRICA DE LICORES DE ANTIOQUIA 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR Description of 
product(s) 
(including 
HS number(s)) Quantity 
exported b y 
State 
trading 
enterprise Average 
procurement 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
representative 
domestic sales 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
export price 
US$ National 
production 
 1 2 3 4 5 6 
2002 2.208.40.00 0.74 0.99 3.79 1.67 124.30 
2003 22.08.40.00 0.49 2.34 4.15 1.84 120.54 
2004 22.08.40.00 0.89 3.00 5.08 2.27 127.24 
2005 22.08.40.00 1.03 3.32 5.82 2.59 123.23 
2006 22.08.40.00 1.21 3.65 5.84 3.65 124.59 
Source : Colombian Distillers' Association ( Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Licorera , ACIL) 
(1) Domestic price (Colombian pesos)/Average annual exchange  rate – Banco de la República 
Calculations: Ministry of Co mmerce, Industry and Tourism. G/STR/N/10/COL 
G/STR/N/11/COL Page 12 
 
 
  TABLE V 
 
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON AGUARDIENTE EXPORTS 
 
STATE TRADING:  EMPRESA DE LICORES DE CUNDINAMARCA 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR  Description of 
product(s) 
(including 
HS number(s)) Quantity 
exported by 
State tradin g 
enterprise Average 
procurement 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
representative 
domestic sales 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
export price 
US$ National 
production
 1 2 3 4 5 6 
2002 22.08.40.00 0.10 0.95 3.48 1.56 88.18 
2003 22.08.40.00 0.12 1.01 3.62 1.54 85.37 
2004 22.08.40.00 0.13 1.26 4.28 1.74 82.61 
2005 22.08.40.00 0.14 1.38 4.91 1.81 74.71 
2006 22.08.40.00 0.12 1.56 5.05 1.56 72.11 
Source : Colombian Distillers' Association ( Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Licoreras , ACIL). 
(1) Domestic price (Colombian pe sos)/Average annual exchange rate – Banco de la República. 
Calculations: Ministry of Co mmerce, Industry and Tourism. 
  G/STR/N/10/COL 
 G/STR/N/11/COL 
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  TABLE VI 
 
STATISTICAL INFORMATION ON AGUARDIENTE EXPORTS 
 
STATE TRADING:  INDUSTRIA LICORERA DEL VALLE 
 
Millions of 750 cc. units 
 
 
YEAR Description of 
product(s) 
(including 
HS number(s)) Quantity 
exported by 
State tradin g 
enterprise Average 
procurement 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
representative 
domestic sales 
price 
US$ (1) Average 
export price 
US$ National 
production
 1 2 3 4 5 6 
2002 (*) 22.08.40.00 0.09 1.85 3.79 1.67 124.30 
2003 22.08.40.00 0.02 2.32 3.62 1.54 85.37 
2004 22.08.40.00 0.08 2.48 4.28 1.74 82.61 
2005 22.08.40.00 0.10 4.31 4.91 1.81 74.71 
2006 22.08.40.00 0.30 3.99 6.64 1.85 72.11 
Source : Colombian Distillers' Association ( Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Licoreras , ACIL). 
(*) Industria Licorera del Valle exported both aguardiente  and rum in 2002;  in subsequent years it exported 
only aguardiente . 
(1) Domestic price (Colombian pe sos)/Average annual exchange rate - Banco de la República. 
Calculations: Ministry of Co mmerce, Industry and Tourism. 
 G/STR/N/10/COL 
G/STR/N/11/COL Page 14 
 
 
  TABLE VII 
 
FÁBRICA DE LICORES Y ALCOHOLES DE ANTIOQUIA 
 
IMPORTS 2003 - SEPTEMBER 2006 
 
LITRES 
 
 
YEAR Description of product(s) 
(including HS number(s)) Quantity imported 
(millions of litres)  f.o.b. value 
(US$ million) Avera ge import 
price 
22.08.40.00.00 0.77 1.13 1.47 2003 
22.08.90.10.00 2.29 3.37 1.47 
22.07.10.00.00 3.00 1.23 0.41 2004 
22.08.40.00.00 4.58 3.96 0.87 
22.07.10.00.00 5.02 2.15 0.43 2005 
22.08.40.00.00 6.30 5.10 0.81 
2006 22.08.40.00.00 5.94 5.07 0.85 
Source : Import declarations, Info rmation Systems Office, ,Ministry of  Commerce, Industry and Tourism.  G/STR/N/10/COL 
 G/STR/N/11/COL 
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  TABLE VIII 
 
EMPRESA DE LICORES DE CUNDINAMARCA 
 
IMPORTS 2003 – SEPTEMBER 2006 
 
LITRES 
 
 
YEAR Description of product(s) 
(including HS number(s)) Quantity imported 
(millions of litres)  f.o.b. value 
(US$ million) Average import 
price 
2003 22.07.10.00.00 6.47 3.63 0.56 
2004 22.07.10.00.00 4.05 2.02 0.50 
2005 22.07.10.00.00 3.77 1.94 0.52 
2006 22.07.10.00.00 5.12 3.08 0.60 
Source : Import declarations, Info rmation Systems Office, Ministry of  Commerce, Industry and Tourism. G/STR/N/10/COL 
G/STR/N/11/COL Page 16 
 
 
  TABLE IX 
 
INDUSTRIA DE LICORES DEL VALLE 
 
IMPORTS 2003 – SEPTEMBER 2006 
 
LITRES 
 
 
YEAR Description of product(s) 
(including HS number(s)) Quantity imported 
(millions of litres)  f.o.b. value 
(US$ million) Avera ge import 
price 
22.07.10.00.00 1.05 0.29 0.28 2003 
22.08.40.00.00 0.09 0.10 1.10 
22.07.10.00.00 1.49 0.54 0.36 2004 
22.08.40.00.00 0.08 0.16 2.16 
2005 22.08.40.00.00 0.02 0.05 1.97 
Note: No information available for 2006. 
Source : Import declarations, In formation Systems Office, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. 
 
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