Requirements to import from China to Colombia: 2026 step-by-step guide

If your company wants to bring products from China, the first step is to understand the requirements to import from China to Colombia. Meeting them from the start prevents cargo holds at port, DIAN (Colombian tax and customs authority) penalties and extra costs that can wipe out your margins. In this guide we explain, step by step, what you need before, during and after the import.

Last updated: September 2026. Customs regulations change frequently; always confirm current conditions with your customs broker or with the DIAN.

1. An updated RUT as an importer

Every individual or company that imports must have an updated Registro Único Tributario (RUT, Colombia’s tax ID registry) with the DIAN, including the customs user responsibility. Box 54 of the RUT must show code 23, which corresponds to importer. If you import as a company, you also need a current business registration with the Chamber of Commerce.

2. Tariff classification of the product

Each product is identified by a 10-digit tariff subheading in Colombia’s Customs Tariff. That subheading determines the duty rate you will pay, the VAT rate and whether the product requires prior permits. Incorrect classification is one of the most common causes of penalties and duty reassessments, so it is best to have an expert do it before you buy.

3. Prior permits: import registration and approvals

Some products require authorization from other agencies before they reach the country, for example:

• INVIMA: food, beverages, cosmetics, medicines, medical devices and cleaning products.
• ICA: products of animal or plant origin, seeds and agricultural inputs.
• Other agencies (such as the Ministry of Mines or ANLA): controlled chemical substances and other regulated products.

When a product is subject to any of these requirements, an import registration is filed through the Foreign Trade Single Window (VUCE). If the product is not subject to any prior requirement, no import registration is needed. In addition, certain products must comply with Colombian technical regulations, for example on labeling or electrical safety.

4. Customs broker: when it is mandatory

According to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, as a general rule, when the value of the import exceeds USD 1,000 you must hire a customs broker. For equal or lower amounts, the individual or company may deal directly with the DIAN. The customs broker files the import declaration, calculates duties and taxes, and supports the process until the goods are released.

5. Import documents

• Commercial invoice from the supplier, with a detailed description, quantities, unit value and total value.
• Packing list with weights, dimensions and number of packages.
• Transport document: bill of lading (BL) if the cargo arrives by sea or air waybill if it arrives by air.
• Cargo insurance policy, if one was purchased.
• Andean Customs Value Declaration (DAV), mandatory when the value of the import is USD 5,000 or more.
• Import registration and approvals, when the product requires them.

6. Payment of customs duties and taxes

When the goods are cleared, two main charges are paid: the import duty (tariff) and VAT. Colombia does not have a free trade agreement with China, so Chinese products pay the general duty rate for their subheading. The standard VAT rate is 19% and is calculated on the customs value plus the duty. In our guide on customs clearance costs in Colombia we show you how to calculate them with an example.

7. Paying the supplier through the foreign exchange market

In Colombia, payments for imported goods must be channeled through the foreign exchange market, that is, through a bank or another authorized intermediary that reports the transaction. Paying into personal accounts or through informal channels is risky and can also lead to foreign exchange and customs issues.

Summary: requirements to import from China to Colombia step by step

1. Update your RUT as an importer (code 23 in box 54).
2. Classify your product and check whether it requires prior permits.
3. Verify the supplier before paying, as we do with MG Verify.
4. Negotiate the price, the Incoterm and the payment terms.
5. Book international transport and cargo insurance.
6. File the import declaration and pay duties and taxes.
7. Obtain customs release and take the goods to your warehouse.

Common mistakes when importing from China

• Buying without confirming whether the product needs INVIMA or ICA registration.
• Accepting invoices showing less than the real value: the DIAN can reassess duties and impose penalties.
• Importing trademarked products without the owner’s authorization.
• Paying 100% upfront to a supplier that has not been verified.
• Not calculating duties, taxes and local costs before setting the selling price.

Frequently asked questions about the requirements to import from China to Colombia

Can an individual import from China?

Yes. Both individuals and companies can import, as long as they have a RUT with the customs user responsibility and meet the requirements for their product.

How long does an import from China take?

Ocean transit between China and Colombia usually takes 25 to 35 days port to port, plus consolidation at origin and customs clearance. You will find more details in our guide to ocean freight from China to Colombia.

Do I need to be a large company to import?

No. Many small and medium-sized businesses import small quantities by consolidating their goods with those of other importers (LCL cargo), which lowers the freight cost.

Import hassle-free with MG Global Logistics

At MG Global Logistics we manage the entire process for you: direct factory purchasing, supplier verification, consolidation, international transport, customs brokerage and delivery to your warehouse. Request your quote or message us on WhatsApp.

Sources (in Spanish): MinCIT – How to import into Colombia; VUCE – Import FAQs; Decree 1165 of 2019 (DIAN).