🇨🇴 India–Colombia trade guide
Everything you need to ship from India to Colombia or import from Colombia to India: the trade agreement, routes and transit times, how your buyer imports, duties, regulators and documents.
India and Colombia at a glance
No trade agreement with India. Most Favoured Nation duties apply.
Colombia is the single largest buyer of Indian motorcycles (about US$578 million in 2025-26). India also sells cars and auto parts, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, yarn and fabrics, and machinery. India buys crude oil, coal, coffee, gold and cut flowers.
Routes and transit times to Colombia
30–40 days to Cartagena; 35–50 days to Buenaventura. Transhipment via Caribbean hubs (Cartagena, Kingston, Caucedo, Colón/Manzanillo) after crossing via the Mediterranean or the Cape.
- Cartagena COCTG
- Buenaventura (Pacific) COBUN
- Barranquilla COBAQ
- Santa Marta COSMR
4–6 days via Europe or the Gulf.
- Bogotá El Dorado BOG
- Medellín MDE
Transit times are indicative port-to-port from Nhava Sheva / Mundra (sea) and Delhi / Mumbai (air). Routing changes (for example Red Sea diversions) can add 10–14 days.
Importing into Colombia: what your buyer needs
- The importer needs a RUT with DIAN. Clearance is through a licensed customs agency (agencia de aduanas) above about US$1,000 FOB.
- Import registrations or licences through VUCE apply for regulated goods.
- Customs valuation checks are strict for textiles, clothing and footwear (reference prices).
Tariff mostly 0–15% (some goods up to 40%), plus 19% VAT (IVA).
- INVIMA: medicines, food, cosmetics, medical devices
- ICA: plant and animal health
- Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio: technical regulations (RETIE for electrical goods)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / AWB
- Sanitary / phytosanitary certificates as required
- ISPM-15 wood packaging
From Colombia to India, and tips from the field
Crude oil and coal, plus coffee and flowers.
- File the Bill of Entry through a licensed customs broker in India (YAM holds licence R-7/92).
- Check the HS code in the Indian tariff, the DGFT import policy (free, restricted or prohibited) and any BIS, FSSAI, plant quarantine or other permit before the goods ship.
- If an agreement applies, get the correct certificate of origin from the exporter to claim the lower duty.
- Motorcycles in CKD/SKD form have specific tariff treatment: check classification carefully.
- Cartagena is also a major transhipment hub for Central America and the Caribbean.
- Our partner agents in Latin America can handle destination clearance and delivery. Ask us for a door-to-door quote.
Written by YAM Logistics from our own experience and public sources, checked November 2026. Duties, taxes, permits and trade agreements change often: treat rates and transit times as indicative and confirm them for your HS code and shipment before you quote or ship. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice.
Questions people ask
Does India have a trade agreement with Colombia?+
No trade agreement with India. Most Favoured Nation duties apply.
How long does shipping from India to Colombia take?+
By sea: 30–40 days to Cartagena; 35–50 days to Buenaventura. Transhipment via Caribbean hubs (Cartagena, Kingston, Caucedo, Colón/Manzanillo) after crossing via the Mediterranean or the Cape. By air: 4–6 days via Europe or the Gulf.
What does an importer in Colombia need?+
The importer needs a RUT with DIAN. Clearance is through a licensed customs agency (agencia de aduanas) above about US$1,000 FOB. Import registrations or licences through VUCE apply for regulated goods. Customs valuation checks are strict for textiles, clothing and footwear (reference prices).
What duties and taxes apply in Colombia?+
Tariff mostly 0–15% (some goods up to 40%), plus 19% VAT (IVA).
Can YAM Logistics handle shipments to Colombia?+
Yes. YAM handles export clearance and freight from India, and works with partner agents in Latin America for destination clearance and delivery to Colombia. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote.