Immigration procedures at the Bogotá airport

vladimiro says on Jun 10, 2004, 14:29:

Might Have to Stay A Night In Bogota Caroli,

If he is at the front of the line he could make it, otherwise he will miss his flight. It will be very close because after going through immigration I believe he will have to get the airport's shuttle to the other airport (Puente Aereo) to catch his flight to Bucaramanga.

I think you guys should have a backup plan of him staying at a hotel nearby, like Hotel Four Points Sheraton, for one night and then traveling to Bucaramanga the next day.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Jun 10, 2004, 14:36:

Immigration Wait
Hey Caroli the time sure is short 1 hour and a few minutes for a stop over. But not to worry he should be ok. Just tell to get a seat on the airplane as far forward as possible that way he's first out of the plane then first in the immigration line up. Unless there is 3 planes arriving all at once there usually isn't a problem. But going through immigration should actually only take about 5 minutes but all dependant on how many people are in line. The other big problem is the luggage...Tell him to see if his airline can route the suitcases directly to Bucaramanga. therefore he doesn't have to wait for the bags. Some airlines have agreements to direct the bags to the finial destination.... maybe you can tell us what airlines he's flying. Don't worry he will love Colombia and mostly he will go crazy for you to..... Colombian women are so great... hey Caroli lets us know the airlines because now there is a new departure terminal (think its called Puente Aero sorry spelling) in Bogotá and you need to take a bus (the bus runs inside the airport on the tarmac and is secure don't worry .....problem is the bus only like runs every 20-30 minutes) I think Air Republic is using it thanks Vic

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

john says on Jun 10, 2004, 14:37:

He'll be alright. Were is the luggae going; straight to Bucaramanga? Otherwise, if he needs to pick up his luggage all he needs to do is tell DAS that he is taking a connection flight - they will eventually take him out of the line.
John

John

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Jun 10, 2004, 14:56:

Don´t panic It is quite a short transit but he should not worry. If the line is too long at inmigration tell him not to be shy and go to the front of the line and ask somebody to let him through. Just tell him to show his connecting ticket and they will let him through. Bags can be checked through but this is only for weight allowance purposes, as international flights have more allowance than domestic ones. But just like in the USA he will need to collect bags in Bogota and clear customs here as this is his first point of entry into the Colombia. If he connects with Avianca (better for a tight connection) he will find the Avianca desks on the right inside the customs hall, they then give him his boarding pass, check his bags again and take him in their own bus to the puente aereo for departure. If it is with Aerorepublica he needs to leave customs turn left into the main building and find their check in desks which are exactly half way down the main building. Then the same things although the flight will leave from the domestic pier on that same building. Best of luck, it is not bad at all.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Jun 10, 2004, 19:14:

One possible plan As you walk into immigration at El Dorado there's a very short line on the very right called "Tripulación" (flight crews). It's always open and it also functions as a sort of VIP and hardship case line. Prepare your boyfriend with a typed out cheat sheet in Spanish to explain everything you just said about the tight connection. Unless there's a real hardass working that day, he should skate right through. If not, it only took a minute to try before he gets back in the long line.

Question for some of the previous posters: Can you actually check bags through to a secondary destination in Colombia without them clearing customs? I'm surprised to hear that.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vicshere says on Jun 11, 2004, 05:14:

Confirm
I have checked bags with Delta from Toronto through Atlanta all the way to Bucaramanga. never touched my bags the whole trip. The other couple of times was Air Canada from Toronto to Miami then to Avianca to Bogotá onto Bucaramanga again didn't touch my bags. My first trip to Colombia I dragged my bags through every airport it was a real drag. You just have to make sure your as your airline at the point of origin if they can direct you bags right through. Thanks Vic

listo

0 funny, 0 helpful.

juanalejo says on Jun 11, 2004, 06:37:

baggage claim Sorry but your bags cannot be checked through as I said before. I work in the airline business and those are the procedures. You can do it the other way around from Bucaramanga to the USA but only in Avianca as most other international airlines will require you to check in personally at Bogota for security reasons. Bucaramanga does not even have a customs area for you to clear them there. Aces used to have a deal with Delta but the DIAN decided to step in as people were using it for raw deals through small airports.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

locolombia says on Jun 11, 2004, 07:48:

he is screwed as far as making the connection. I have made the trip to Bucaramanga 5 times now and everytime I try a different ploy to get on my connecting flight.

He should either make arrangements for a hotel or sleep in the Bogota airport until they 6:30 am flight to Buc..... There are numerous police and military all night in the terminal so security is not an issue as long as he does not wonder outside to far. The night spent in the terminal is good for him to study his Espanol...

Well thats just my advice based on my personal experience.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jun 11, 2004, 09:56:

yes, the short line I went through the "short line" for "tripulacion" on my last visit. I was waiting for my turn and the guy at the tripulacion booth just winked me over there. He said it didn't matter that I wasn't crew, there was no line at all. I guess it depends on the person manning the booth if you can go through or not.

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

rjstuff says on Jun 13, 2006, 10:48:

I disagree with juanalejo - my bags were checked through When I flew in Feb 2005; my bags went through Bogota to Barranquilla (I flew from Miami - and Denver to Miami before that.) My bags were checked in Denver and I picked them up in Barranquilla. I actually looked for my bags in Bogota and then some one told me no - they are on their way to Barranquilla (I don't know much Spanish either.)
I was a little confused in Bogota as I didn't know my bags will be going straight and I had only an hour plus a few minutes in Bogota. I asked an official about my bags and he looked at my ticket and stubs and said they are going to the Barranquilla flight. I then talked to the official at a VIP line (may have been the crew line) there was no one in line and he waved me through and then I asked him about the Avianca ticket counter (I did have to get the boarding pass from them) - then I waited for about 15 minutes for the bus and then they got me to the other side; another security pass and on to the plane with about 5 or 10 minutes to spare!
So, it can be done though next time (this week) I am getting more time in Bogota for my own comfort. Good Luck

0 funny, 0 helpful.

estes53 says on Jul 29, 2006, 10:35:

What is allowed in the country I am A US citizen, retired military, intending to go to Colombia to live. What I cannot find on the web, is what I can bring into the country without having to pay some sort of tax on.

Am specifically concerned about all the DVD's that I have, around 250. Is someone in customs going to search my luggage and confiscate them or expect me to pay an outrageous tax on each one? If so, is there some way to mail them?

Thanx, Alan

0 funny, 0 helpful.

moondance says on Jul 29, 2006, 10:54:

no worries....chump change for them.
yes they will check your bags...but customs are not concerned about a few C.D.s

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Gator says on Jul 29, 2006, 13:59:

estes53 probably no problem with the but 250 is hight-might consider you are
going to resell then you have a problem. He is the site maintain by customs http://www.dian.gov.co


DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Original Passport for customer and all family members
Visa (mandatory for consignee) valid for at least one year
Residence or Work Visa
Foreigners must apply for Work or Residence Permit
Certificate of Residence issued by the Colombian Consulate, certifying that owner has lived abroad for at least two continuous years
Inventory (in Spanish)
Inventory must show:
For ALL MAJOR APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, roasters, TVs, VCRs, stereos, small personal computers, etc.) state the MAKE, MODEL, AND SERIAL NUMBER
If possible, pack all electronic appliances together
Transmittal documents showing actual weights and/or volume, delivery details, etc.
Diplomats must have Diplomatic Entry Form, to be requested from Foreign Ministry by Diplomatic Mission
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Only one household goods shipment from one country allowed per family
All shipments pay duty, import tax, sales tax (VAT), and warehouse fees which are charged to customer's account
Owner must have lived outside of the country for at least two years
Owner must not have imported any household goods in the last seven years
Customs may ask for Bank Guarantee that goods will not be sold for one year
Shipments 100% inspected
Household goods must arrive within 30 days before or 120 days after the arrival of the customer
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

Duties/taxes on C.I.F. value of household goods are assessed
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in small quantities are subject to duties and sales tax (Import License may be required)
One sporting weapon is permitted per family
Only one of each major electrical appliance is allowed, except air conditioners which are limited to three
Bedroom furniture must correspond to the number of persons in the family
PROHIBITED ITEMS

Weapons, ammunition and explosives
Drugs and narcotics
Pornographic material
Uniforms or equipment relating to the Police or Armed Forces
MOTOR VEHICLES

As of 1/1/94 no USED automobile may be imported into Colombia
Import License is required and MUST be obtained prior to arrival of auto
Do not include an auto as part of the household goods shipment
DO NOT SHIP VEHICLES UNTIL ALL DOCUMENTS ARE IN ORDER
NON-COMPLIANCE WILL RESULT IN SEIZURE/STORAGE OF SHIPMENT AT GREAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSE
Documents required:
Original Commercial Invoice (detailed and in US dollars)
Title
Registration
Copy of Bill of Sale
ALL DOCUMENTS (Invoice, etc.) must agree with the Import License
PETS

Vaccination Certificate
Import License
Notarized Health Certificate from Veterinarian
Quarantine IS NOT required for cats and dogs
Contact destination agent prior to forwarding


"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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

0 funny, 0 helpful.

moondance says on Jul 29, 2006, 15:49:

yes you want your stuff with you a suggestion..when I moved to the Bahamas from Canada 18 years ago, I did it in 4 trips over 3 years
Saved paying the shipper and showing up at the border with a shitload of stuff
In the end I ended up with my 600 books, electronic equipment and the few pieces of furniture that were handed down (family heirlooms)
point is...if you are staying for an extended period of time, this might be a reasonable option

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aluheln says on Jan 4, 2007, 19:56:

Advice Did he make the connection? Were you worried for no reason? The good news is if you miss a flight they put you on the next one. They don't leave you in the airport forever.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

goin_south says on Jan 4, 2007, 21:40:

the other good news for him, might be.... he had a hell of alot of fun in Bogota if he got to stay over that night. You have to watch out for devious characters... who make reservations like that, knowing that 'you are going to think he got f**k'd, (by not having ample time to make that flight)... and in fact, maybe he did... that night in Bogota! jaja... I am only warning you... how gringos can be... so much less than loyal... just like all those Colombian guys. jeje

Not me. of course. not.

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

0 funny, 0 helpful.