Estimate the full cost of shipping your household goods and personal effects from the United States to Medellín, Colombia. Sea freight, air freight, and total landed cost.
📦 Shipment Details
Estimated Cost Breakdown (USD)
International Freight—
Origin Packing & Handling—
Colombian Port Fees (Buenaventura / Cartagena)—
Colombian Import Duty—
VAT / IVA (19%)—
DIAN Customs Agent Fees—
Medellín Inland Delivery—
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST—
Estimates based on 2026 market rates. Actual costs vary significantly by shipper, route, and current exchange rates. Get minimum 3 quotes from licensed international movers. This is a planning estimate only.
🏠 Menaje de Casa — Personal Effects Import Rules
Colombia's "Menaje de Casa" (household goods) import regime allows qualifying expats to import personal belongings with reduced or zero duty if requirements are met:
Requirement
Details
Visa Required
You must have a valid Colombian resident visa (Migrant or Resident category). Tourist visas do not qualify.
Timing Window
Goods must arrive within 6 months of your first entry to Colombia under your resident visa.
One-Time Only
The Menaje de Casa benefit can only be claimed once per person.
Used Items Only
All goods must be used personal effects — not new commercial goods. DIAN may inspect.
Duty Exemption
Qualifying household goods are exempt from customs duty. VAT may still apply to some items.
Document Required
Detailed packing list (in Spanish), passport, visa copy, and Declaration of Residence (Declaración de Residencia).
💡 Pro tip: Work with a licensed Colombian customs broker (agente de aduana) for your Menaje de Casa claim. The paperwork is complex and errors can result in goods being held at port with accumulating storage fees. Budget $400–800 for a broker.
📊 Sea vs. Air vs. Courier — Which Is Right for You?
Method
Transit Time
Cost (Medium Shipment)
Best For
Sea Freight (FCL)
4–8 weeks
$3,500–6,000
Full apartment moves, large furniture, lowest cost per kg
Sea Freight (LCL)
6–10 weeks
$1,200–3,500
Partial loads, 1-bedroom moves
Air Freight
5–10 days
$8–18 per kg
Time-sensitive, valuable items, small high-priority shipments
FedEx / DHL / UPS
3–7 days
$15–35 per kg
Under 100kg, documents, small parcels
Excess Baggage (airline)
Same as flight
$100–400/bag
Extra bags when flying in
⚠️ Electronics note: High-value electronics (laptops, cameras, TV) shipped into Colombia may be subject to additional scrutiny and higher duty assessments. Consider carrying these with you as personal baggage when possible.