One of the biggest fears when importing for the first time is thinking you need a mountain of complicated paperwork before you even start. The reality is much simpler: most of the documents are generated by the process itself, and there’s very little you actually need to have ready.
What documents you need, as the importer
This is the part that really depends on you before getting started:
| Document | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| ID document | This is the only thing you need on your end. You don’t need to set up a company or have your own tax ID. |
| Product information | What it is, what it’s used for, and what material it’s made of, so it can be classified correctly. |
| Supplier contact details | Name and country of origin, so the purchase and shipment can be managed. |
What documents the process generates (and you don’t have to create)
These are part of the operation itself, and at Goxpa they’re handled as part of the service:
- Commercial invoice. Issued by the supplier with the real value of the goods, and it’s the basis for calculating duties and taxes.
- Packing list. Details how the cargo is organized: boxes, weights, and the contents of each one.
- Transport document. The Bill of Lading (ocean freight) or Air Waybill (air freight), which certifies that the goods are on their way.
- Import declaration. The document that formalizes the legal entry of the product into Colombia before the DIAN (Colombia’s customs authority).
You don’t need to become a customs paperwork expert to import. You need to have three basic pieces of information ready on your end, and let the rest be handled by someone who already knows how.
When you do need additional documents
Some specific products require extra permits or certificates before they can be imported: food items, cosmetics, electronics that need technical certification, or toys, for example. This doesn’t mean they can’t be imported, just that there’s an extra validation step before buying. If you’re unsure about your specific product, it’s best to confirm this before paying the supplier, not after.
If you’re still not sure what product to bring in, it may help to first check out how to choose a product to import and sell it well, so you can avoid picking something with restrictions without realizing it.
Want to know if your product needs any additional documents?
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