New Fee Created In Relation To Imports Into Colombia (Law 633 Of 2000)
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A new fee was created in relation to imports into Colombia in the recently enacted amendment to the Colombian Tax Statute (article 56 of Law 633 of 29 December 2000).
This fee is created as a retribution in favour of the Tax and Customs Authorities for the cost of the customs services they render and is charged to the importer at a rate of 1.2% over the FOB value of the goods imported.
The new fee will not be applicable to:
- goods imported directly from countries with which Colombia has free market agreements in place, provided there is reciprocity in the treatment afforded to Colombian goods imported into the relevant country;
- to the users of a special import regime known as "Plan Vallejo"; and
- the import of goods and services related with National security carried out by the Colombian armed forces.
The above-mentioned Article 56 of Law 633 of 29 December 2000 was regulated by means of Resolution 0029 of January 2, 2001.
Pursuant to this Resolution 0029:
- The liquidation and effective payment of the 1.2% fee is a requirement for completion of import procedures.
- The fee is applicable to temporary imports unless they are made within a Plan Vallejo special import regime.
- Entities qualified as Permanent Customs Users must liquidate the fee in every import statement (declaración de importación) and must pay it with their monthly Official Receipt of Payment of Customs Duties and Exhange Sanctions, whereby customs duties and exchange sanctions related with import statements presented during the relevant month are paid.
In this case, the payment of the fee is a requirement for the customs clearance of the goods imported under a temporary import regime.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.