The Hard Truth About Importing Cars
If you're dreaming of driving your beloved American car through the streets of Medellín, we need to start with some difficult news. Colombia has some of the strictest vehicle import laws in South America.
🚫 Colombia's Used Car Ban
The Andean Automotive Agreement of 1993 prohibits the permanent import of used vehicles into Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. This isn't a loophole you can work around—it's strictly enforced.
So who can actually ship a car to Colombia? Here are the only scenarios where permanent import is possible:
✅ Eligible for Permanent Import
- Brand-new vehicles from the current model year with zero kilometers
- Vintage/Collector cars over 35 years old with original features intact
- Classic cars over 50 years old with certification from the Colombian Automobile Club
- Diplomats registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (exempt from duties)
Temporary Import: The Tourist Option
There is a way to bring your car to Colombia temporarily. If you're a tourist, you can import your foreign-registered vehicle for up to 180 days per year (90 days initial + one 90-day extension).
🚗 Temporary Import Requirements
You'll need to obtain a Temporary Vehicle Import Form (Formulario de importación temporal de vehículos) at the border or nearest DIAN (customs) office. You must also purchase SOAT (compulsory car insurance) immediately. Your vehicle permit is tied to your tourist visa—when it expires, so does your car permit.
Many overlanders and digital nomads use this system, driving through Colombia and then crossing into Ecuador or Venezuela to "reset" their permits. However, this is only practical if you're traveling through South America, not if you're relocating permanently to Medellín.
Shipping Costs: USA to Colombia
If you do qualify to ship a vehicle (new car or classic), here's what you can expect to pay for the shipping itself:
🚢 RoRo Shipping
- Roll-on/Roll-off method
- Most cost-effective option
- Vehicle must be operable
- Exposed to elements during transit
- No personal items allowed
📦 Container Shipping
- Enclosed and secure
- Best for luxury/high-value cars
- Can include household items
- Works for inoperable vehicles
- 20ft or 40ft container options
Shipping Routes & Transit Times
| US Port | Colombia Port | Transit Time | Est. Ocean Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades | Cartagena | 7-14 days | $1,000 - $2,500 |
| Houston / Galveston | Cartagena | 10-18 days | $1,100 - $2,600 |
| New York / Newark | Cartagena | 12-20 days | $1,200 - $2,800 |
| Los Angeles | Buenaventura | 20-30 days | $1,500 - $3,200 |
Pro tip: Shipping from the Gulf Coast or East Coast (Miami, Houston) to Cartagena is significantly cheaper and faster than shipping from the West Coast, which requires transit through the Panama Canal.
Import Duties & Taxes: The Real Cost
Here's where most people get sticker shock. Shipping the car is the cheap part. The import duties and taxes can easily exceed the value of the vehicle itself.
| Tax/Duty | Rate | Calculated On |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty (Arancel) | 35% | CIF Value* |
| VAT (IVA) | 19% | CIF + Duty |
| Consumption Tax (under $30K) | 8% | FOB Value |
| Consumption Tax (over $30K) | 16% | FOB Value (Luxury Tax) |
*CIF = Cost + Insurance + Freight (vehicle value plus shipping and insurance costs)
💸 Example: Importing a $40,000 New Car
Vehicle: $40,000 + Shipping: $2,000 + Insurance: $500 = CIF of $42,500
Import Duty (35%): $14,875
VAT (19% of $57,375): $10,901
Consumption Tax (16%): $6,400
Total taxes: ~$32,176
Grand total: ~$74,676 for a $40K car!
Required Documents
Original Vehicle Title
Must be clear of liens or have lienholder authorization
Commercial Invoice / Bill of Sale
Notarized, showing purchase price
Bill of Lading
Provided by shipping company
Passport & Colombian Visa
Valid for at least 12 months
Import License
From Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism
Emissions Certificate
Euro 6b compliance required since January 2023
Classic Car Certification (if applicable)
From Colombian Automobile Club for 35+ year old vehicles
The Better Alternative: Buy in Colombia
🇨🇴 Why Buying Locally Makes More Sense
Given the used car import ban and massive import duties, almost every expat in Medellín recommends the same thing: sell your car in the US and buy one here.
New car prices in Colombia are higher than the US (about 10-20% more), but you avoid the 35% import duty, 19% VAT, consumption tax, shipping costs, and weeks of paperwork. Dealerships handle all registration through RUNT (National Transit Registry), and you get local warranty and service.
Popular brands with good parts availability: Chevrolet, Renault, Mazda, Kia, and Hyundai all have significant presence in Colombia. Toyota and Ford are also available but with less extensive dealer networks.
Used Car Market in Medellín
The local used car market is well-developed. Popular sites include Carros.com, Tucarro.com, and Encuentra24. You can also find deals at dealerships along Poblado Avenue. Prices for used cars hold their value well in Colombia due to the import restrictions.
What to check: Use Certificar.co (Colombia's version of CarFax) to verify a used car's history. Get the Certificado de Tradición to see ownership history, and always verify there are no outstanding debts (embargos) on the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Recommendation
💡 Our Advice for Expats Moving to Medellín
Unless you own a genuine classic car over 35 years old that you're emotionally attached to, sell your vehicle in the USA and buy locally in Colombia. You'll save tens of thousands of dollars, avoid months of bureaucracy, and get a car with local warranty and easy access to parts and service. The extra 10-20% you might pay for a new car in Colombia is nothing compared to the import costs and headaches of shipping.