Planning a move to or from Colombia? Universal Cargo has been offering reliable, hassle-free international moving services since 1983. We handle all the details to make your move as smooth as possible, whether you're moving from anywhere in Argentina to any city in Colombia, including major spots like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Barranquilla.

If you're moving from Colombia to Argentina, we've got you covered too. Just leave it all in our hands.

Who Can Move Their Belongings to Colombia?

When moving to Colombia, it's crucial to understand customs regulations to avoid any hiccups. People who can bring their belongings into Colombia are those who meet customs requirements, including providing documents like a passport, visa, and a detailed list of items. Keep in mind, certain items like firearms and perishable goods are prohibited.

Read on for more details:

RETURNING COLOMBIAN CITIZENS

Colombians living abroad who return to Colombia to settle permanently can bring their personal belongings and household goods without needing an Import License. This falls under the Return Law, Law 1565 of 2012, which exempts them from taxes. To qualify, you'll need a residency certificate from the Colombian consulate where you lived, showing you've been abroad for more than 3 years.

If you don't have the "returnee registration," you'll need to pay 15% taxes on the CIF value of your goods.

Si el cliente no posee el "registro de retornados", debe pagar los derechos e impuestos del 15% sobre el valor CIF.

Note: For the Return Law to apply, confirm the application date. Remember, this tax exemption applies to Colombians who have lived outside Colombia for more than 3 years and want to return. The process is handled through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and can take up to 50 days for approval.

If Colombian citizens haven’t lived abroad for at least two years, they must do a "re-importation."

FOREIGNERS: need a work visa.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR PERSONAL EFFECTS (MOVING OR HOUSEHOLD GOODS IN A CONTAINER)

Partial customs clearance isn’t allowed; it must be done at the arrival airport or port. Personal effects must arrive within 30 days before or 120 days after the owner's arrival. Only one shipment of household goods is allowed per family every five years.

You can bring one unit of each household appliance, except for TVs—up to 3 are allowed. It’s important that the inventory list includes the brand, model, reference, and serial number of each electrical appliance.

New items, alcohol, food products, tires, compressors, security cameras, etc., are prohibited in the shipment. Customs won’t consider these as part of a personal effects shipment.

Firearms or collectible weapons are prohibited unless you have authorization from the Colombian Ministry of Defense before shipping.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR UNACCOMPANIED AIR BAGGAGE

Unaccompanied baggage must arrive within 30 days before or 90 days after the owner's arrival.

Firearms or collectible weapons are prohibited unless you have authorization from the Colombian Ministry of Defense before shipping.

Alcohol, food products, tires, compressors, security cameras, flooring, wall items, spare parts, or new items are prohibited in the shipment. Customs won’t consider these as part of a personal effects shipment.

You can include personal effects like clothes, books, paintings, and some electrical appliances in this type of shipment, but not furniture, kitchen items, mattresses, or carpets. The value of the items in this shipment cannot exceed $1,500. Only essential items of small sizes are allowed.

A form called "Customs Declaration for Unaccompanied Baggage / Form 530" is required. You must complete this form upon arrival at the airport, and it must be stamped by customs authorities at that time—not the next day. This form needs to be completed, and a stamped copy should be sent to the clearance agent along with other documents. If this document isn’t completed, customs clearance may be delayed or denied.