WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/COL/4 
18 October 2006 
 
 (06-5048) 
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 17 October 2006, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Colombia.  
_______________ 
 
 
Notification Concerning the Year 2005
 
  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 the goods classified under the prior licensing regime, imports to Colombia are 
free, subject only to the submission to the customs authorities of the import declaration for entry of 
the goods into Colombian territory.  Import regi stration (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 unde r a special import/export programme. 
                                                      
1 For the questionnaire, see the annex to document G/LIC/3. G/LIC/N/3/COL/4 
Page 2  
 
   The MCIT's Directorate of Foreign Trade is the authority responsible for processing import 
registrations, where appropriate, in accordance w ith the criteria and procedures established in 
Articles 1 to 20 of Higher Council for Foreign Trade Resolution 001 of 2 January 1995.   Under Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004 rationa lizing certain foreign trade formalities and 
procedures, applications for import registration ma y 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 determ ining the import regime for all and each 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's Directorate of Foreign Trade at least two days before the 
goods are removed from customs. 
 (b) If goods arrive at a port without an impor t registration, the impor ter may apply for one 
to the MCIT's Directorate of Foreign Tr ade, on his own account and under his own 
responsibility.  On obtaining it, he must cl ear the goods within two months of their 
arrival.  Otherwise, he must opt for re-e xportation, abandonment or legalization, as 
provided in the customs legi slation (Decree 2685 of 1999). 
  (c) There are no limitations as to the pe riod of the year during which application for 
registration may be made. 
  (d) The MCIT's Directorate of Foreign Trad e is the authority responsible for processing 
applications for import registra tion.  At present, the regist ration is issued one day after 
the application is filed. 
  Under Decrees 4406 of 2004 and 1846 of 2005, aut horizations, requireme nts 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 products subject to health  control in connection with the 
preservation of human, plant and animal health, co mpliance with the Techni cal Regulations, dynamic 
test emissions certificati on, vehicle approval, quan titative safeguard quotas, and controls to guarantee 
the protection of the environment under intern ational treaties, conven tions 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/4 
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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 physically or electronically to the 
MCIT's Directorate of Foreign Trade.  Applicati ons submitted physically must use the special forms 
issued for that purpose, with instructions on the b ack for users.  Electronic applications are submitted 
through the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) created by Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004.  The computer software designed for that purpose enab les the user to direct the application to the 
entities responsible for granting permits, authorizatio ns or prior approval for the importation of goods 
where required before it is examined by the Directorat e of Foreign Trade.  The relevant instructions 
can be accessed by clicking on the help button of the web site (www.vuce.gov.co
). 
Resolution 001 of 1995 empowers INCOMEX ( now the MCIT's Directorate of Foreign 
Trade) to determine the documents to be appended to import applicati ons.  Users are informed thereof 
by circular. 
11. The documents required upon actual importation ar e set out in Decree 2685 of 1999 (Customs 
Regime) and its Implementing Order 4240 of 2000 on the National Customs and Excise Directorate, and include:  import registration or licence, commer cial invoice, transport document, certificate of 
origin in some cases, documents required by spec ial provisions, power of attorney, packing list where 
applicable and import declaration. 
12. A fee of approximately US$10 is charged for import registrations (both physical and 
electronic).  Users wishing to access the VUCE for the first time must purchase the necessary 
software at an annual price of three minimum mont hly wages.  Yearly renewal of the service costs 
1.5 minimum monthly wages.  The MCIT's Dire ctorate of Foreign Trade publishes a circular 
notifying the value of the minimum monthly wage  for the purposes 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 li cences is established in Higher Council for 
Foreign Trade Resolution 001 of 1995.  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 Desi gn and Administration of Operations of the MCIT's 
Directorate of Foreign Trade may grant further extensions for successive periods of up to three 
months each. 
 G/LIC/N/3/COL/4 
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  15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of an au tomatic licence or registration, or a portion 
thereof. 
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 
1. 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 21 to 25 of Higher Council for Forei gn Trade Resolution 001 of 1995 set out the 
criteria and procedures applicable by the MCIT 's Imports Committee in the processing of non-
automatic licences.  Imports subject to the prior licensing regime cover goods classified for national 
security reasons, i.e. explosives, armaments and othe r military equipment;  chemical products used in 
the manufacture and processing of narcotic drugs;  de fective, used or remaindered goods and wastes;  
applications for exemption from customs duties;  applications under the annual licensing system;  
non-refundable imports;  and imports by offici al entities, other than for gasoline and urea. 
Under Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004 rationalizing 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 all and each of 
the products included in the Customs Tariff. 
 Article 21 of Higher Council for Foreign Trad e Resolution 001 of 1995 establishes the imports 
which are subject to non-automatic licensing (see point II.2 above). 
  G/LIC/N/3/COL/4 
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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, armament s and, in general, goods for us e 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's Directorate 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-automa tic licence valid on the date of customs 
clearance.  In the case of narcotic drugs, applications must be submitted to the 
MCIT's Directorate of Foreign Trade in the first 25 days of the month and approval is given in the last five days of the month. 
  The above-mentioned Decree authorizes adva nce 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's Imports Committee, on his own account and under his own responsibility.  If it is granted, he must clear the goods within 
two months of their arrival.  Otherwise, he  must opt for re-exportation, abandonment or 
legalization, as provided in the cu stoms legislation (Decree 2685 of 1999). 
  (c) As a rule, there are no limitations as to  the period of the year during which licence 
applications may be made.  However, to ensu re effective control, in accordance with 
Joint Circular of INCOMEX (now the Dir ectorate of Foreign Trade of the MCIT) 
No. 059 and the National Narcotics Directorat e No. 01 of 25 July 1995, applications for 
prior or non-automatic licences for imports of substances classi fied as narcotics 
precursors in National Narcotics Counc il Resolutions 009 of 1987, 007 of 1992 and 001 
of 1995 must be filed with the MCIT's Imports  Committee not later than the 25th 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's 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 authoriza tions 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 th e Food and Drug Surveillance Institute 
(INVIMA) or the ICA (Colombian Agricultu ral Institute) for imports of foods and 
chemicals, depending on whether they are for human or animal use; 
 
 - Authorization from the Ministry of Mining and Energy for applications for exemption 
from customs duties for goods to be used in  minerals or hydrocarbons exploration; G/LIC/N/3/COL/4 
Page 6  
 
   
 - Authorization from the Ministry of Mini ng and Energy for imports of radioactive 
material; 
  - Authorization from the National Narcotics Di rectorate 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 reason for the refusal.  They may appeal against refusals 
under the Administrativ e 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 ar e established in the Admi nistrative 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 materi als for explosives, explosives etc., thr ough the military industry, in accordance 
with Decrees 2535 of 1993 and 1809 of 1994. 
 
10. Applications for import registration must be submitted physically or electronically to the 
MCIT's Directorate of Foreign Trade.  Applicati ons submitted physically must use the special forms 
issued for that purpose, with instructions on the b ack for users.  Electronic applications are submitted 
through the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) created by Decree 4149 of 10 December 2004.  
The computer software designed for that purpose enab les the user to direct the application to the 
entities responsible for granting permits, authorizatio ns or prior approval for the importation of goods 
where required before it is examined by the Imports  Committee.  The relevant instructions can be 
accessed by clicking on the help but ton of the web site (www.vuce.gov.co ). 
Resolution 001 of 1995 empowers the MCIT's Imports Committee to determine the documents 
to be appended to import applications. 
11. The documents required upon actual importation are set out inter alia  in Decree 2685 of 1999 
and include:  non-automatic licence approved MC IT's 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 issuing non-automatic licences (both physically 
and electronically).  Users wishing to access the VUCE for the first time must purchase the necessary 
software at an annual price of three minimum mont hly wages.  Yearly renewal of the service costs 
1.5 minimum monthly wages.  The MCIT's Dire ctorate of Foreign Trade publishes a circular 
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/4 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Conditions for the issuing of non-automatic licences  
 
14. The period of validity of prior or non-auto matic import licences is established in Higher 
Council for Foreign Trade Resoluti on 001 of 1995.  Under Article 17  et seq.  of the Resolution, prior 
licences are automatically 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 automatically on the date of approval.  Licences covering imports of 
substances classified as narcotics precursors are valid for a period of three months. 
 Approved licences may be used throughout the pe riod 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 licence and is fully  justified.  In exceptional cases, duly evidenced, in 
particular specially manufactured capital goods or goods difficult to obt ain in the international market 
owing to shortage 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 prec ursors, no modification may be made  to import licences under the 
headings concerning the importer, quantity, period of  utilization of the licence and 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 partic ular the Imports Committee, are not responsible 
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. 
__________