How much are the TAXES??? traveling back to the US

NCMike says on Jul 23, 2008, 10:44:

Ohh.... I need to piggyback this question. I've had some complications going back to US before, because of that paper you fill out in the plane. I understand if you hold on to it, when you show it at the place to pay taxes, you pay less. The problem is, they don't always STAMP that paper. Are they supposed to do that when you pass immigration and they mark your passport? This has happened to me twice now. I remember last year waiting in that God awful line. I got to the table where you pay the taxes to leave the country and showed the paper. They told me that I didn't have the stamp, that I needed to go to some other place and get the stamp, or pay the additional amount if I wanted to continue. I almost did it to avoid the hassle. But thankfully she told me I wouldn't have to wait in line all over again, I could come directly back. With all the luggage in tow, it was a pain in the a$$, but worth the effort. I want to say it is about a $30 difference. So this year I arrived, passed through immigration, went to get my luggage, and thought that when I exited and showed that paper to the lady she would give me the stamp. But she didn't know what I was talking about. She just told me I'd done everything I needed to do and I could be on my way. Now I know that before I get in the normal line, which is HORRIBLE, I have to go to this other window and get the stamp first. But I shouldn't have to do that part if I got the stamp in the first place. So....
where do you get the sello? I think that's the word. Thanks.

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ColombianoGringo says on Jul 23, 2008, 10:48:

I think the full tax is around $60. I always show my US passport at the tax exemption booth I doubt they have any way of knowing that you live there so they will probably just give you the exemption. Then show your Colombian docs at the airline counter to save the $5 tourist tax.

Mike, Are you talking about the DIAN customs form? I have never been asked to show that to get the exemption. The best thing is to simply go to the tax exemption booth and get the stamp before you even stand in line at the airline counter.

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Gator says on Jul 23, 2008, 13:16:

I believe the "stamp" used now is the one DAS places in your passport when you enter Colombia. I would figure about 30/35 USD-call you airline's Bogotá office and they should have the straight dope.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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