HOW TO IMPORT?
In the following document you will find the basic steps to import machinery:
1. DETERMINING THE TARIFF CODE:
You have two options: 1. With the Tariff Schedule. 2. With help from the ZEIKY. (It is important to bear in mind that the DIAN is the only institution authorized to determine the tariff codes of goods, according to Decree 2685/99 Art.236 and Resolution 4240/00 Art. 154 al 157 of DIAN – Tariff Division, tel. 6079999 Ext. 2128/2129. Price: One half of a minimum wage).
2. MARKET STUDIES:
In order to import goods, you must complete a market study and an economic feasibility study of the import, analyzing: price of the product in the international market, transport costs, customs duties and additional levies.
3. IDENTIFYING THE PRODUCT:
3.1 Before starting the procedure for the import, you must bear in mind the following:
3.2 Verify the tariff code of the product in order to know the applicable custom duties, VAT and other requirements for the import.
3.3 Consult Circular 077 of 2002 to verify if the product must have any certification or license from institutions such as the ICA, INVIMA, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Private Security and Vigilance Superintendency Industry and Trade Superintendency or the INCODER. To find this Circular enter the webpage of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, enter “Normatividad” and search for the Circular 077 de 2002. If the product does not need any certification or license it does not require an authorization to carry out the Import Registration.
3.4 The importer must apply for a Single Tax Record (RUT) in the Department of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN), in order to request the TAXPAYER'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (NIT), in Bogotá in the Calle 75 # 15-43 (Individuals) or in the Carrera 6 # 15-32 (Legal Persons).
4. PROCEDURE BEFORE THE MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND TOURISIM: When a registration of the import is required via internet
*More than USD$1000:
a) Acquisition of a Digital Signature in an authorized entity by the Industry and Trade Superintendency.
b) Inscription in the Operative Group through the e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (RUT, Name of the company, name of the proxy, email address, telephone number, fax, address and city of residence) Via email the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Commerce assigns a username and a password.
c) Fill out the record through the VUCE system: www.vuce.gov.co, enter by Imports and do the corresponding payment via wire transfer. The price for the Import Registry is every 1800 characters is $30.000.
*Less than USD$1000:
a) Inscription in the Operative Group in the Calle 28 # 13 A 15 Local 3, with a Certificate of the Chamber of Commerce and the RUT
b) Signature of Conditions of Use in the Operative Group. The username and passwords are assigned via email.
c) Procedure of Registry through the VUCE.
d) Payment of electronic Registry of Imports
Note: The importer that uses a SIA or a special representative to fill the Registry of Imports must have an authenticated power to do so and file it in Calle 28 # 13 A -15 Local 3
For those who have a digital signature, they may obtain an applicative in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism which will facilitate the transfer of information; this has a value of 3 minimum monthly wages.
5. FOREIGN EXHANGE PROCEDURE FOR IMPORTS:
The exchange regime establishes the obligation to canalize the payment through the authorized intermediaries of Exchange market (Banks, financial corporations, etc.)The importer must transfer abroad the foreign currencies corresponding to the payment of the import, and fill out the form DECLARACIÓN DE CAMBIO No. 1. When the deadline is more than 6 months (date of the transport document), the foreign debt operation is established and it must be informed to the Central Bank through the market intermediaries, for operations of more than USD $10.000 FOB value and the procedure must be done through Form No. 3. For more information you may assist to the Exports Formation Program.
6. OTHER PROCEDURES:
Verify the negotiation terms (INCOTERMS) and if you have to pay the costs of the international transportation, hire the transportation company with which you will establish the transfer costs of the merchandise up to the most convenient Colombian port and to which you may deliver instructions about the Customs Deposit, in which you want to keep the goods until it is permanently imported.
7. NATIONALIZATION PROCEDURE:
7.1 Once the merchandise is in Colombia in the Customs Deposit, it is recommended to apply for an authorization to do a pre-inscription before the presentation of the Import Declaration and other documents, this when there are doubts about the description, series numbers or identifications of the goods.
7.2 If the import value is equal to or more than USD $5.000, you should buy and fill out the ANDEAN DECLARATION OF THE CUSTOMS VALUE (price: $6000). This is a support document of the Import Declaration, which determines the customs value (base for the payment of customs duties) of the imported goods.
7.3 The liquidation of customs duties (tariffs and VAT) is done through the Import Declaration (Price: $6000). The payment is done through the intermediaries of the exchange market. In the principal customs offices where the Global Custom System SIGA is in use, the forms are done by electronic means.
7.4 According to the Customs Statute (Decree 2685/99) the following may act directly before the DIAN:
– Legal persons that individually execute imports for les that USD $1,000 (FOB value), personally or through their representatives.
– Natural persons that individually execute imports for les that USD $1,000 (FOB value), personally or through their representatives.
– Travellers in the baggage claim.
NOTE: When the imports are for more than USD $1.000 they must be proceed through a Customs Intermediary Society– SIA.
7.5 For the removal of the merchandise, taxes must be paid and the following documents must be presented before the Customs Deposit (the documents must be preserved for at least 5 years):
I. Commercial Bill
II. Package List
III. Import License if required
IV. Origin Certificate (According to product and origin)
V. Import Declaration
VI. Transportation Document
VII. Andean Declaration for Customs Value, if required
VIII. Other certificates or licenses, if required
7.6 The informatics system determines if the removal may be automatic or if a physical inspection is required. In the first case the goods may be removed when authorized by the Deposit and in the second case the inspector from the DIAN must verify the declarations and the goods being removed.
PROCEDURE FOR THE IMPORTS OF PROTOTYPES WITH OUT A COMMERCIAL VALUE
Goods imports without a commercial value may be done in two forms; in any case they must pay customs duties.
-Without an import license:
a) When imported with promotional and experiment purposes, and for technical and scientific tryouts of product prototypes that are not to be commercialized.
b) When the unitary value of the merchandise is less than USD $50 and no more than 10 samples per delivery. When the amounts are greater, the goods must be marked as sample and the total value of the delivery may not exceed USD $1.00
-With import license:
When the goods do not comply with the previous requirements, they must have an Imports License, as established in Resolution 001/95.
 Foreign Trade | [Foreign Trade] | 68 Kb | 01/07/09 14:36 |
