Freight Forwarding in
Colombia
The Pacific Gateway to South America. We clear Cartagena's Caribbean hub and handle Colombia's trade with the Andean region and beyond.
Trade & Logistics in Colombia
Colombia is Andean South America's largest economy ($400B+ GDP) and a key trade hub for Andean Community (CAN: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia). The country is the world's #1 coffee exporter and a growing manufacturing center for apparel, footwear, and flowers. Logistics to Colombia involves two major ports: Cartagena (Caribbean, 60% of volume) and Buenaventura (Pacific, 40% of volume). Ground distribution from ports to Bogotá (interior) requires overland trucking through mountainous terrain (24–48 hours, toll costs significant). Colombian customs (DIAN) are relatively straightforward compared to Argentina/Brazil, but cargo theft is a concern on certain routes. Andean tariffs are negotiated via CAN (duty reductions 5–15%). We maintain offices in Cartagena and Bogotá and clear 150+ containers monthly.
Key Exports
Key Imports
Key Trade Statistics
$60B (2023)
Annual Imports
$65B (2023)
Annual Exports
Top Trade Partners
Panama ($8B+/year — re-export hub)
Ecuador ($7B+/year)
Major Ports & Airports
Port of Cartagena
COCAR
Colombia's primary container port (1.8 million TEU/year). Caribbean gateway. Modern facilities, good clearance times (3–4 days). Strategic location for regional trade.
Port of Buenaventura
COBUN
Pacific gateway (0.8 million TEU/year). Less congested than Cartagena. 24–48 hour truck ride to Bogotá. Growing capacity.
Bogotá El Dorado Airport
SKBO
Colombia's main international airport. Modern cargo terminal. 0.3 million metric tons/year. Air freight to USA, Europe, Asia.
Popular Shipping Routes — Colombia
Customs Requirements for Colombia
DIAN (Colombian tax authority) administers customs via electronic system. Import declaration (DAI) required for all cargo. Tariffs: 0–35% depending on HS code; CAN preferential rates reduce duties 5–15%. No import licenses required for most goods (exceptions: food, pharma, sensitive items). Port clearance: 3–5 days at Cartagena, 2–4 at Buenaventura. Ground distribution to Bogotá adds 24–48 hours + tolls (COP $30,000–$80,000). Cargo theft is common on certain routes; we recommend armed escorts for high-value shipments. We file DAIs and handle ground logistics with security coordination.
Services Available for Colombia
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping to Colombia
What documents are needed to ship to Colombia?
Required documents include a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and Import Registration with DIAN. INVIMA permits may be required for health products.
How long does ocean freight take to Colombia?
Ocean freight from Miami to Cartagena or Buenaventura takes 5-8 days. Air freight from Miami to Bogota typically takes 1-2 business days.
What are Colombia's main ports?
Cartagena is the busiest container port on the Caribbean coast. Buenaventura handles Pacific trade. El Dorado International Airport in Bogota is the main air cargo hub.
What customs duties apply in Colombia?
Colombian import duties range from 0-20%. A 19% VAT applies. The US-Colombia TPA can reduce or eliminate duties on qualifying goods.
Does Suaid Global handle customs clearance in Colombia?
Yes, Suaid Global coordinates customs clearance with DIAN, including tariff classification and INVIMA permits for regulated goods.
Free Logistics Tools
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CBM Calculator
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Transit Time Calculator
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Tariff Simulator
Calculate import duties for any country pair. US, EU, Brazil, China, and UK tariff rates with HS code lookup.
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