Do I need a license to export/import?

jonas says on Aug 24, 2008, 21:42:

I am tempted to give you a "funny"

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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johnny2008 says on Aug 24, 2008, 21:54:

I am halfway up the runway in terms of setting up an import business and can shed a bit of light on some of the questions

* which broker do you use?

None, I have worked out how to get my products as far as cartagena, have them unloaded, then onward shipped to Bogotá. I suppose the customs broker would probably have something to do with the payment of duties but unless he offers damn good value for money and an irresistible service, I am inclined to not cross his palm with silver.

* are there different duties for different products?

Yes there certainly are, if you go to the DIAN website, you should be able to enter the commodity code for your product. The manufacturer will supply you with the commodity code, or say you are exporting goods that have been made elsewhere and imported to USA, the intermediary ought to know the code.

Unsurprisingly, like most Colombian websites, the DIAN website doesn´t work properly

* does the country of manufacture matter in the duties?

Yes and no, the country from which you are importing it matters, in most cases this will indeed be the country of manufacture too. Colombia (at least for my products) has agreements with most South American countries with lower import duty, and cosy arrangements with places like Jamaica, where there is no duty. Once again on the DIAN website

* are there other taxes besides duties?

Yes VAT/IVA for a start

* do you need to be a Colombian entity in order to import? (what is that entity)?

Jesus I hope not, although I am sure it will be beneficial to establish a Colombian company when up to speed.

* will bribes be involved to get items into the country?

Not so far as I can tell, although I haven't actually tried to bring anything in yet.

Note: There will probably be a USA-Colombian chamber of commerce that will offer far better advice than I can. The UK-Colombian chamber is brilliant.

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jonas says on Aug 24, 2008, 22:36:

DIAM DIAM DIAM it looks like you really know your shit. I wonder how YOU make it through customs without a broker......... do you live in San Andresito? OMG

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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johnny2008 says on Aug 24, 2008, 22:51:

Ooops how did I spell DIAN wrong? and what did I presume the M stood for? here is the website anyway http://www.dian.gov.co/ and I sneakily edited my last post.

I genuinely don't know about customs brokerage, I have negotiated shipping from UK and freight forwarding to Bogotá from UK too, so I presume that the shipping broker is organising customs brokerage on my behalf. Needless to say I need to check this out. But given that everything has been priced down to the movement of every last item, I cannot imagine that this has not been considered by my supplier or their shipping co.

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Buongone says on Aug 24, 2008, 22:53:

johnny2008. Have you actually imported any items into Colombia yet?

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johnny2008 says on Aug 24, 2008, 23:04:

No Buongone, As I say I am "halfway up the runway" and "haven't actually tried to bring anything in yet"

I have my territory rights for my key brand, after weeks of plodding around Bogotá doing research, I have my supplier's exporter on hand ready to go, I have my shipping organised, unloading and handling in Cartagena and onward forwarding. I'm teetering on the brink of my first order for a major supermarket and have another in the pipeline too. I am in UK at the moment, am meeting up with the exporter this week to make sure nothing has been missed out. Then hope to get the order confirmed, pay my exporter then fly over to meet my shipment in Bogota.

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miamimike says on Aug 24, 2008, 23:27:

Too bad you aren't here in Miami, there's a Ton of Info locally. In Miami, many Agents, Col shipping companies, freight forwarders, Colombain Banks, Col Chamber of Commerce, Col consulate ect.

On Sept 17, 2008: Senator John McCain said, as he had many times before, that he believed the fundamentals of the economy were "strong."Hours later he backpedaled, explaining that he had meant that American workers were Strong.

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Buongone says on Aug 24, 2008, 23:51:

johnny2008. Would be nice to know how this turns out. lol.

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Timba says on Aug 25, 2008, 10:17:

Ya, will be interested in how this turns out.

FYI, Colombia is supposedly one of the least transparent countries when it comes to bureacracy.

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jeff8875 says on Aug 25, 2008, 12:33:

I stumbled on this, but if it helps, a very good friend of mine is venezuelan and owns his own shipping company. He specializes in south america, for obvious reasons. I guess honest shippers are hard to find, he has had to continually expand because of word of mouth. He is an awesome guy, super honest, and if anyone wants I can put them in contact with him. He lives in Jersey City, NJ and has his warehouse in Rahway.

I have nothing to do with his business just posting because he apparently has great prices and services and people keep coming back to him so I guess that means something.

Oh and he drinks black label, or rum and coke if anyone cares haha

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wOw says on Aug 26, 2008, 10:52:

I'm in the process of doing the same exact thing........ The difference is that I will be actually Importing to Colombia. Will be getting my Company set up in BAQ and learning the ins and outs.....

I luckily have a friend that is a Customs Broker at the port in Barranquilla so he is going to save me lots of headaches.....

I wish I can add more but I'm in the early stages.....

MiamiMike, I live in Miami also......but haven't really seeked info locally. I really don't know anybody in the business down here.......

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Robert Jorge says on Aug 28, 2008, 00:10:

Good to see you again wOw. Hope you are having better luck than me! Call me sometime.

He who farts in church, sits in his own pew.

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