Travel to Colombia: Upon departure

Airport tax

An exit tax of US$ 66 must be paid by all Colombian citizens and foreigners whose stay in Colombia was longer than two months. In the case of shorter stays, the exit tax for foreigners is US$ 33.

Depending on the itinerary, some airlines, such as Air France, American Airlines and Avianca, include the cost of the tax in the cost of the ticket. The exit tax must be paid at the airport, at the time of departure, in cash and in only one currency (Colombian pesos or US dollars, excluding US$ 100 bills).

Persons exempted from paying airport tax Colombian nationals who:

• Are employees or officials in central government service or the decentralized sector traveling on official business, on presentation of government authorization.
• Study abroad with grants or loans from the Colombian Institute of Educational Credit and technical studies abroad and students who travel under the auspices of universities recognized by the Ministry of Education.
• Are officials and workers of international land, sea and air transport who travel abroad on official business, when the company accredits the service of international transport and the official or worker, who should present to the civil aviation authority the certification of the head of personnel of the company specifying the position held and purpose of the trip.
• Are residents of the archipelago of San Andrés and Old Providence when they travel to a Central American country for a maximum of ten days.
• Are official sports delegations accredited by the Colombian government.
• Are visiting residents abroad or who are in transit in Colombia when their stay in the country does not exceed 180 days.
• Travel on a diplomatic passport.
• Are children under age.
• Are the regular crews of ships and aircraft of Colombian maritime and air transport companies.

Foreign tourists who travel to Colombia:

• Visiting Colombia or in transit, when their stay in the country does not exceed sixty days.
• Passengers in transit.
• Those who transit within international border areas legally defined as such, when they comply with customs regulations.
• Diplomatic bags and musical instruments that occupy aircraft seats.

More on airport taxes

• Log on to the web page of the DIAN, www.dian.gov.co, and consult the chapter on Travelers of Decree 2685 of 1999.
• Offices of the National Taxes and Customs Excise Department, DIAN, by calling (+571) 4251000 ext. 2681.
• At El Dorado Airport, the Travelers’ Service Office of the DIAN, located on the international passenger concourse, entrance 7.

Outgoing specialized merchandise and articles

For outgoing merchandise there is a maximum limit that is subject to periodic changes. You can take with you articles such as video cameras, equipment for professional use and other valuable merchandise that the traveler will use abroad.

To return with them, duty-free, you must show them at the Airport Customs Office and fill out the Declaration of Temporary Export of such articles.

Protected wildlife species

Colombian law prohibits and punishes the extraction, transport, trading and export of all species of wildlife, alive or dead.

Archeological or historical patrimony

Colombian law prohibits and sanctions the trading and export of original pieces of national cultural patrimony. Avoid purchasing them. If you are interested in taking back examples of pre-Hispanic or Spanish Colonial art, you can acquire replicas of them.