🇨🇴 Everything you need to sell in Colombia
Colombia is Latin America's fourth-largest ecommerce market with 52 million people. Mercado Libre, Falabella, and Éxito dominate. Colombia's VAT (IVA) rate is 19%. Since July 2021, foreign digital service providers must register, charge, and remit 19% IVA on B2C digital services supplied to Colombian consumers. Import duties range 0–40% with Andean Community and FTA preferences. The DIAN (tax authority) has one of the most advanced electronic invoicing systems globally.
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Compliance Topics
📊 IVA (Impuesto sobre las Ventas)
Colombia VAT (IVA) rate is 19%. Under Law 2155 of 2021 and DIAN Resolution 42, foreign digital service providers must register, charge, and remit 19% IVA on B2C digital services to Colombian consumers. Registration is through the simplified RUT (Registro Único Tributario) for foreign providers. Marketplaces collect IVA on behalf of sellers. The DIAN administers IVA with bi-monthly filing.
- •IVA rate: 19% (standard rate, applies to most goods and services)
- •Digital tax (Law 2155/2021): foreign providers must register for B2C digital services
- •Simplified RUT registration for foreign digital providers (no local entity needed)
- •Bi-monthly IVA returns for registered foreign providers
- •Marketplaces collect IVA on behalf of foreign sellers
- •IVA applies to: streaming, SaaS, cloud, marketplace commissions, digital advertising
- •No registration threshold — required from first peso of digital supply
🚢 Customs & Import Duties
Colombia's import duty rates range from 0–40%. The de minimis threshold is USD 200 per shipment for duty exemption (but IVA still applies). Colombia is a member of the Andean Community (CAN) and has FTAs with the US, EU, and others. The DIAN manages customs through the SIDUNEA system. All imports require import registration. IVA at 19% applies to CIF value plus duty.
- •Import duty rates: 0–40% depending on HS code and origin
- •De minimis: USD 200 per shipment (duty exemption, IVA still applies)
- •IVA 19% on CIF value + duty for all imports
- •Andean Community (CAN) preferential rates for member countries
- •FTAs with US, EU, Canada, South Korea, and others
- •SIDUNEA customs management system
- •Import registration (RIM) required from DIAN
🛡️ Product Safety & Standards
Colombia requires compliance with technical regulations issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT). The Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) enforces consumer protection. INVIMA regulates food, cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices. Spanish-language labeling is mandatory. Colombia has adopted mandatory quality standards for specific product categories.
- •MinCIT issues technical regulations for product categories
- •SIC enforces consumer protection (Law 1480 of 2011)
- •INVIMA regulates food, cosmetics, drugs, medical devices
- •Spanish-language labeling mandatory for all consumer products
- •Ministry of Health regulates pharmaceuticals and medical devices
- •Specific import permits required for food, cosmetics from INVIMA
- •No general product safety mark, but technical regulations apply
🛒 Marketplace & Ecommerce
Mercado Libre is the dominant marketplace in Colombia, followed by Falabella and Éxito (Alkosto/Ktronix). Amazon ships to Colombia but has no dedicated marketplace. Colombia has growing internet penetration (~72%) and a rapidly expanding digital payment ecosystem. Spanish-language listings are essential. Ecommerce is projected to reach USD 20 billion by 2027.
- •Mercado Libre: dominant marketplace in Colombia
- •Falabella: major retail marketplace
- •Éxito / Alkosto / Ktronix: significant local retailers
- •Amazon ships to Colombia (no dedicated marketplace)
- •Spanish-language listings essential
- •Growing digital payments: PSE, Nequi, Daviplata
- •COD still relevant but declining in favor of digital payments
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This information is for general reference only and does not constitute legal, tax, or compliance advice. Consult a qualified professional and check official sources before making decisions.