Shipping Heavy Equipment to Colombia

The four ways to ship machinery to Colombia

Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.

Published sailings to Colombia

One carrier service in our trade lane guides calls in Colombia. Each row links to the carrier schedule it was read from; transit is from the U.S. load port to the port named.

What the U.S. ships to Colombia

U.S. exports to Colombia by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade^[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.

A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.

Import duty on machinery in Colombia

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading^[3]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.

The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.

Worked example: a $100,000 excavator

Import duty: 0% of $100,000 CIF is $0 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)^[3].

IVA: 19% of the duty-inclusive $100,000 is $19,000 (DIAN (Colombia), checked June 2026)

Total duty and tax: $19,000, or 19% of CIF.

• Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.

Vehicles and other taxes

Under the Andean Automotive Agreement, Colombia prohibits the permanent import of used vehicles — only new, current-year, zero-kilometre vehicles may be imported (plus narrow classic/collector and diplomatic exceptions). New vehicles attract an import tariff plus 19% VAT (IVA).

Source: DIAN (Colombia) / Andean Community, checked June 2026.

• Import duty: Import tariff on new vehicles (confirm by HS code)
• VAT: IVA 19%
• Other charges: Vehicles 35+ years (classic) / 50+ years may qualify under collector rules

Rules for used machinery in Colombia

Every used machine needs a MinCIT import licence (licencia previa) via the VUCE single window, refused if Colombian production is registered. Used road vehicles are not licensed, except off-highway dumpers and mobile cranes up to 15 years old. Claim TPA preference.

• Licence or permit: Used, rebuilt or refurbished goods are 'productos en condiciones especiales de mercado' (Decree 925/2013, Arts. 4 and 14) and need a licencia previa. File via VUCE stating the year of manufacture; refused if national production is registered with MinCIT.^[4]
• Age limit: Decree 925/2013 Art. 16 grants licences for used vehicles only in listed cases. These include off-highway dumpers (8704.10) and off-road mobile cranes (8705.10) with service life up to 15 years. Environmental rules apply.^[5]
• Documents: Required: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, import licence if required, certificate of origin, import declaration, and an Andean Customs Value Declaration at $5,000 FOB or more. Importer needs RUT/NIT, VUCE registration and an ONAC digital signature.^[6]
• Trade agreement: Remanufactured goods meeting U.S.-Colombia TPA Art. 4.23 (and Decree 730/2012 Art. 14) are exempt from the licencia previa. Ordinary used machinery still needs one.^[4]
• Trade agreement: The U.S.-Colombia TPA has been in force since 15 May 2012. The importer claims the preference based on an origin certification with the certifier, HS code, origin basis and date.^[7]

Documents for Colombia

The papers a machinery shipment to Colombia usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin
• Import Declaration
• Technical Standards Documentation
• Equipment Specifications

U.S. export rules

What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.^[8][9]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.^[10][11][9]

Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.^[12]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)

An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.^[13][14][15]

Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations

Clearance notes for Colombia

• Cartagena is the main Caribbean gateway; Buenaventura serves the Pacific.
• Project cargo and machinery follow standard tariff rules (not the used-car ban).
• Colombia’s used-vehicle import ban catches many shippers off guard — only new or qualifying classic vehicles can enter.

Questions buyers ask

Export checklist (PDF)

A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping Colombia: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.

Nearby destinations

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• Shipping Heavy Equipment to Panama
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