A summary of how to document origin in the U.S.-Colombia TPA.
Last Published: 7/16/2018
It is the responsibility of the importer in Colombia to make a claim for the FTA-negotiated preferential tariff rate (FTA rate) for qualifying products. However, the exporter or producer may be asked by the importer, customs broker, or Colombian National Customs and Tax Directorate (DIAN) to provide a written or electronic certification or other information to support the importer’s claim.  Third party certificates (e.g., issued by a Chamber of Commerce) will not be accepted.

There is no prescribed form for certifying origin. However, you may use the sample form.

Exporters may use an electronic certification of origin to DIAN via email. It must be in a format that does not allow modification, such as pdf, jpeg, or sps.  The minimum elements to certify the origin (regardless of a form used) must include:
  • Name or business name, address, telephone number, and email address of the producer, exporter, and importer;
  • Description of the goods in sufficient detail so as to match them with the invoice and Harmonized System nomenclature;
  • Classification of the goods in the Harmonized System nomenclature or the Colombian nomenclature;
  • Rule or criteria of origin used to determine the origin of the product;
  • Number and date of the invoice(s) when the certification applies to a single shipment;
  • Period covered by certification in the case of multiple shipments;  
  • Country of origin;   
  • Sworn statement from the importer, producer, or exporter, which includes:
    • Acceptance of responsibility regarding truthfulness and accuracy of information supplied in the electronic certificate of origin;  Commitment to maintain necessary documents to support certification;  
    • Obligation to inform in writing all persons to whom the certification was submitted about any changes that could affect its accuracy and validity;  
    • Certification that the goods comply with origin requirements of the Agreement; and 
    • Compliance with the provisions of the Agreement in regards to transit and transshipment, in the case of certifications issued by the importer;  
  • Name, signature, and contact information of certifying person; and
  • Date of certification.
The importing country or importer may, on occasion, require additional information beyond these specifics. Please note that the Colombian Customs Service does not mandate a specific Certificate of Origin form/document under the U.S. Colombia TPA. If you are asked by the Colombian Customs Service to use a particular form, please contact the The Office of Trade Agreements Negotiations and Compliance.

On some occasions, even if your importer will not claim the FTA tariff, you may be asked to provide information that documents the origin of your product.  In accordance with the terms of your business arrangement, your importer may request that you provide the certification information in a particular form or format. The certification may be completed based on the producer’s or exporter’s knowledge that the product is originating; or for the exporter, reasonable reliance on the producer’s written or electronic certification that the product is originating.

The language used on the certification may be in either English or Spanish, although the importer may be asked to submit a translation in the local language.

Retain information and documents proving origin for a minimum of five years from the date of importation. Such records include:
a) Purchase, cost, value of, and payment for the exported product;
b) The purchase, cost, value of, and payment for all materials, including indirect materials, used in the production of the final product; and
c) The production of the final product in the form in which it was exported.

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.