# Colombia (CO) **Capital:** Bogotá **Currency:** Colombian Peso (COP) (COP) **Population:** 53,057,212 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 1,141,748 km² > Colombia is a central trade and transit gateway in South America with ports on the Pacific (Buenaventura) and the Caribbean (Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta) and Bogotá El Dorado airport (BOG), one of Latin America's largest cargo hubs. The customs authority is DIAN; import VAT (IVA) is 19 percent on CIF plus duty. Free trade agreements with the EU, EFTA (including Switzerland, in force since 1 July 2011), the USA and the Pacific Alliance, plus membership of the Andean Community, lower tariffs. Key exports are coffee, coal, oil and cut flowers. Colombia (CO) lies in north-western South America as the continent's only country with both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, making it a key Andean trade and transit gateway. It is a member of the Andean Community (CAN) and the Pacific Alliance. Customs authority: DIAN, using the electronic SYGA system and the VUCE single trade window; import VAT (IVA) is 19 percent on CIF plus duty (5 percent or exempt for selected goods). Main cargo airports: Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) and Medellín Rionegro (MDE). Key seaports: Cartagena (over 4.1 million TEU in 2025, Colombia's leading gateway), Buenaventura on the Pacific, Barranquilla and Santa Marta on the Caribbean. Main road corridor: Bogotá–Buenaventura and the Ruta del Sol to the Caribbean coast; Fenoco coal railway links La Loma with Santa Marta. Principal exports: coffee, coal, crude oil, cut flowers; main partners: USA, China and the EU. **Top Import Partners:** US, CN, BR, MX, DE **Top Export Partners:** US, CN BR, MX, FR **Top Import Goods:** Electronic devices, Machinery, Vehicles, Pharmaceuticals, Mineral oils **Top Export Goods:** Crude oil, Coal products, Gold, Coffee, Plants **Key Airports:** - [El Dorado International Airport (BOG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/el-dorado-international-airport-bog) - [Aguas Claras Airport (OCV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aguas-claras-airport-ocv) - [Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alfonso-bonilla-aragon-international-airport-clo) - [Alfonso López Pumarejo Airport (VUP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alfonso-lopez-pumarejo-airport-vup) - [Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport (LET)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/alfredo-vasquez-cobo-international-airport-let) - [Almirante Padilla Airport (RCH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/almirante-padilla-airport-rch) - [Antonio Nariño Airport (PSO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/antonio-narino-airport-pso) - [Antonio Roldán Betancur Airport (APO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/antonio-roldan-betancur-airport-apo) - [Baracoa Airport (MGN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/baracoa-airport-mgn) - [Benito Salas Airport (NVA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/benito-salas-airport-nva) **Key Seaports:** - [Barranquilla (COBAQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/barranquilla-port-cobaq) - [Cartagena (CO CTG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/cartagena-port-co-ctg) - [Buenaventura (COBUN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/buenaventura-port-cobun) - [Covenas (COCVE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/covenas-port-cocve) - [El Bosque (CO EBQ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/el-bosque-port-co-ebq) - [Mamonal (CO MAM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mamonal-port-co-mam) - [Pozos Colorados (CO POC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/pozos-colorados-port-co-poc) - [Puerto Bolivar (CO PBO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/puerto-bolivar-port-co-pbo) - [Puerto Prodeco (CO PPR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/puerto-prodeco-port-co-ppr) - [San Andres Island (COADZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/san-andres-island-port-coadz) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Import VAT standard rate 19 percent on CIF value plus customs duty **Customs complexity:** medium to high **Customs system:** Electronic import clearance by DIAN via the SYGA system; legal basis Estatuto Aduanero (Decreto 1165 de 2019). Declarations and authorizations via the Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior (VUCE). **Customs authority:** [DIAN - Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales](https://www.dian.gov.co) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Andean trade and transit hub with Pacific and Caribbean ports; export of coffee, coal, crude oil and cut flowers **Economic area:** Andean Community (CAN) / Pacific Alliance **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** medium **Pharma/cold chain:** high ## FAQ ### What is the import VAT (IVA) rate in Colombia? The standard IVA rate is 19 percent, levied on the CIF value plus duty. A reduced rate of 5 percent or an exemption applies to certain goods. ### Which authority handles customs clearance? The DIAN (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales) is responsible. Clearance is electronic via the SYGA system and the single trade window VUCE. ### Does Switzerland benefit from a free trade agreement with Colombia? Yes. The free trade agreement between the EFTA States and Colombia has been in force for Switzerland and Liechtenstein since 1 July 2011 and lowers tariffs with a valid proof of origin. ### Which ports are most important for ocean freight? Buenaventura on the Pacific handles most of the Asia trade; Cartagena, Barranquilla and Santa Marta on the Caribbean mainly serve North America and Europe. ### Which airport is central for air cargo? Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) is one of Latin America's largest cargo airports and a hub, among other things, for cut-flower exports in cold chains. ### Which goods are subject to import restrictions or bans? Weapons, ammunition and explosives are reserved for the state company Indumil. Imports of used vehicles and tyres are banned, as are goods of Iranian origin. ### Which documents are typically required for an import? Typically a commercial invoice, transport document (B/L or AWB), packing list, proof of origin and the import registration or licence via VUCE; depending on the goods, additional INVIMA or ICA permits. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.dian.gov.co](https://www.dian.gov.co) - [https://www.dian.gov.co/aduanas/Paginas/Inicio.aspx](https://www.dian.gov.co/aduanas/Paginas/Inicio.aspx) - [https://www.dane.gov.co/index.php/estadisticas-por-tema/demografia-y-poblacion/proyecciones-de-poblacion](https://www.dane.gov.co/index.php/estadisticas-por-tema/demografia-y-poblacion/proyecciones-de-poblacion) - [https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/colombia](https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/colombia) - [https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-colombia-peru-ecuador-trade-agreement](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/content/eu-colombia-peru-ecuador-trade-agreement) - [https://www.vuce.gov.co](https://www.vuce.gov.co) - [https://www.riotimesonline.com/colombian-ports-efficiency-ranking-cartagena-buenaventura-june-2026/](https://www.riotimesonline.com/colombian-ports-efficiency-ranking-cartagena-buenaventura-june-2026/) - [https://container-mag.com/teaser/latam-spring-2026/colombias-port-revolution-how-puerto-antioquia-cartagena-and-new-trade-corridors](https://container-mag.com/teaser/latam-spring-2026/colombias-port-revolution-how-puerto-antioquia-cartagena-and-new-trade-corridors) *Last verified: 2026-07-29* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/co](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/co)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/co](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/co)*