International Transport: What Do I Need to Import a Container from Abroad?

By sea, thousands of companies around the world carry out the international transport of goods to supply chains on every continent. Although freight rates rose considerably because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ocean shipping remains the preferred means for businesses, since it can move large quantities of goods in containers or on deck, in the case of oversized or heavy cargo. More and more products arrive at and leave the docks of Latin America; in Colombia, imports up to August 2022 exceeded 7.2 billion dollars, according to the national statistics office DANE.

Steps to bring a container from abroad

Although the process of importing goods may look easy, there are certain procedures that must be followed to the letter to avoid problems at customs and not lose money. The steps to bring goods into Colombia from abroad are:

1. Have a company: the first step is to legally incorporate a company.
2. Register in the RUT: this is the tax registration filed with the DIAN, Colombia's customs and tax authority, and it is required for anyone who wants to import or export goods.
3. Research the goods and their place of origin: every country has different laws and rules on exports and imports. That is why it is key to know the goods in detail, the procedures required in each country and the transport needs of the cargo.
4. Study the tariff classification: this is a 10-digit code that identifies the goods under international regulations so they can be recognized in any country. The information is available on the DIAN website or in Colombia's Customs Tariff.
5. Complete the procedures of the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE): many products require additional permits, which means registering with this entity. The single window processes the authorizations required by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
6. Choose the supplier: to avoid problems, it is better to work with companies that have already exported their products to Colombia.
7. Negotiate well: in an international negotiation it is very important, beyond setting the price, to define the terms of the whole process, such as each party's responsibilities, insurance and the place of delivery of the goods.
8. Arrange the logistics process: once the deal is closed, a process must be set up that covers pickup, transport and delivery of the goods. For this, companies hire firms that specialize in import logistics.
9. Legalize the outflow of foreign currency: this is done by agreeing on how the payment will be made. In Colombia, the law establishes that payments must go through the financial system. When the currency is sent, it must be reported to the Banco de la República to legalize it.
10. Pick up the goods: once all these steps are complete, the cargo can be collected from the port. There are companies that specialize in these procedures. With all documents in order, the corresponding duties must be paid to the DIAN.

Don't forget that imports carry some hidden costs that arise along the process. That is why it is important to know the procedures well and to have the backing of a company with a track record and experience, like Econtainers, so that importing a container from abroad is a success. In Colombia, Econtainers also supports its customers through the transport and customs clearance of the cargo.

Questions about buying or moving a container? Talk to an Econtainers advisor.