International Trade Consulting in Colombia – Araujo Ibarra
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662 Colombian companies exporting goods and services have accessed the Vallejo Plan to import machinery, equipment and supplies with exemption from VAT and tariffs.

How can you identify whether your company meets the conditions to make the most of these benefits?

At Araújo Ibarra we know it.

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Foreign trade mechanisms

Find the answers to identify if any of the foreign trade mechanisms in Colombia , the Free Zone, Vallejo Plan o International Marketing Companies (CI) is viable for your business and what are the main benefits you can obtain for the internationalization of your company.

Consulting on the Vallejo Colombia Plan for exporters

Partnering with Araújo Ibarra will allow you to:

  • Enjoy a personalized approach to identifying the foreign trade mechanism that offers you the greatest benefits in the short, medium, and long term.
  • Get the support of an expert with both a strategic and operational focus, who has advised hundreds of companies across different sectors and sizes.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance to avoid sanctions that impact your reputation and profitability.
  • Receive timely alerts when changes in regulations, free trade agreements (FTAs), and policies require adjustments to your operations.
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3 steps to access the benefits offered by foreign trade mechanisms:

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Step 1 | Understanding Your Business

One of our experts will meet with your team to understand your business model, needs, goals and challenges.

Step 2 | Feasibility and Impact Analysis

Based on the information received, a feasibility analysis is conducted to determine the most appropriate mechanism, highlighting the tax and customs benefits, as well as the requirements to be met for accessing them.

Step 3 | Decision and Implementation

We provide strategic recommendations and support you in making decisions and implementing the operation of the chosen mechanism.

Services

01

Feasibility analysis of the most suitable mechanism


Find the best mechanism for your company

We analyze the relevant variables to determine the foreign trade mechanism in Colombia most beneficial, depending on the type of goods to be imported/exported, value, volume of operations, tariff classification, origin and destination, including recommendations to optimize processes and maximize international competitiveness through tax benefits.

02

Approval for use of the mechanism

Ensure efficient approval

We prepare and present the necessary documentation to obtain approval of the chosen mechanism, ensuring regulatory compliance and efficient response to additional requirements from the authorities, such as DIAN, to ensure smooth and efficient approval.

03

Regulatory and procedural implementation

Ensure compliance and operational efficiency

We support the implementation of regulations and procedures, including training for the correct management of operations and the establishment of processes that ensure compliance and efficiency in the management of the foreign trade mechanism.

04

Efficient management

Manage your operations efficiently under the selected mechanism

We provide comprehensive management of the foreign trade mechanisms: Vallejo Plan, Free Trade Zones y International Marketing Companies, from recording and documenting transactions to communicating with government entities and overseeing benefits and regulations tax and customs authorities.

05

Comprehensive advisory and legal resolution

Protect your company's interests

We offer ongoing legal assistance to address and resolve any legal challenge related to the use of foreign trade mechanisms in Colombia, protecting your company's interests and minimizing risks.

frequently asked questions

FAQs

According to Law 1004 of 2005, a Free Trade Zone in Colombia and the world is defined as a geographical area delimited within the national territory, where industrial activities of goods and services or commercial activities are developed, under special regulations on matters tax, customs and foreign trade.

Tax Benefits

  • The single tax rate on taxable income will be 20% for industrial users of goods or services.

  • Exemption from remittance tax on amounts sent abroad.

  • VAT exemption for raw materials, parts, inputs, and finished goods sold from the National Customs Territory to industrial users in the Free Trade Zone, provided that they are necessary for the development of their corporate purpose.

  • Dividends paid are exempt from income tax.

Foreign Trade Benefits

  • Indefinite storage of capital goods or merchandise without payment of customs duties.

  • Exemption from customs duties on foreign capital goods and spare parts.

  • Free access of goods produced in the Free Trade Zone to the national market.

  • The final entry of merchandise from the National Customs Territory is considered exports.

  • National suppliers receive incentives for exports to the Free Trade Zone.

Customs Benefits

  • Indefinite storage of goods.

  • Exemption from customs duties on foreign capital goods.

Nationalization is only paid on products sold to the National Customs Territory, on the foreign aggregate.

  • Permanent Free Trade Zone: A zone where several companies (users) carry out their industrial, commercial, or service activities in a specific area. It is similar to an industrial park. (Also known as a free trade zone park or multi-company zone)

 

  • Special or single-company permanent free zone: This is where a single company (industrial user), regardless of its geographic location, has the option of protecting its activity with the benefits of the free zone. These are projects with a high economic and social impact on the country. The following types are accepted, among others: 

 

  • Goods. 
  • Services. 
  • Health services. 
  • Agro-industrial projects. 
  • Port companies. 
  • Conversion of existing businesses.

 

  • Temporary Free Trade Zone: This zone is authorized for holding international fairs, exhibitions, congresses, and seminars that are important for the country's economy and international trade.

Operator User 

A legal entity authorized to manage, administer, supervise, promote, and develop one or more free trade zones, as well as to qualify its users. In carrying out these activities, the Operator User will oversee goods under customs control and authorize their entry and exit operations, without prejudice to the powers of the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN). 

 

Industrial Goods User 

A legal entity established exclusively in one or more free trade zones, authorized to produce, transform, or assemble goods through the processing of raw materials or semi-processed products. 

 

Industrial Services User 

A legal entity authorized to carry out the following activities in one or more free trade zones: 

Logistics, handling, distribution, packaging, repackaging, labeling, or classification. 

Telecommunications, information technology systems for capturing, processing, storing, and transmitting data. 

Scientific and technological research. 

Health assistance. 

Technical support, maintenance, and repair of equipment, ships, aircraft, or machinery. 

Auditing, administration, brokerage, consulting, or similar services. 

 

Commercial User 

A legal entity authorized to carry out marketing, commercialization, storage, or conservation of goods in one or more free trade zones. 

 

Support Companies 

Companies that provide services such as surveillance and maintenance, daycare, cafeterias, financial entities, restaurants, training, medical care, employee transportation, and other services required to support the operation of the free trade zone. These companies do not benefit from tax, customs, or foreign trade incentives. Industrial Goods Users and Industrial Services Users must be new legal entities and may simultaneously hold both statuses.

Corporate graphic for international trade consulting – Araujo Ibarra

Make more informed and less costly decisions with the help of an international trade expert.

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