Photo: Luis Carlos Reyes, Director of National Taxes and Customs of the Republic of Colombia.
Colombia’s National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) presented a detailed report on smuggling in the country, highlighting its economic impact and the measures to address the challenge. According to the new report, goods from China accounted for nearly 30% of the total smuggled produce entering Colombia from 2018 to 2022, with an average annual value of US $2.119 billion.
The report also found that 10% of the value of imported goods entering Colombia was attributed to smuggling, surpassing US $8.8 billion in 2022.
China is followed by the United States and Bolivia, each making up approximately 10% of annual smuggling, demonstrating the complex origin network of illicit goods moving through Colombia.
The director of DIAN, Luis Carlos Reyes, emphasized the urgent need to reform the current customs statute, which he claimed was favorable to smugglers. He announced the introduction of a new customs statute aimed at promoting legality, national industry, and legitimate trade, which is ready for signing by the Ministers of Finance, Commerce, and President Gustavo Petro.
Among the proposed reforms is the mandatory declaration of a detailed inventory of goods, an increase in importer’s advance declarations, and the requirement of traceability devices for trucks circulating in the country. These measures aim to close the gaps allowing the entry of smuggled goods, thereby strengthening customs control.
The report also reveals the magnitude of smuggling in critical sectors such as textiles, where approximately 20% of the value of goods imported between 2018 and 2022 were attributed to smuggling. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of a detailed inventory of goods, facilitating the exit of trucks with undeclared goods from ports to warehouses and free trade zones within the country.
Regarding actions against smuggling, DIAN has intensified its efforts since August 2022, with seizures of goods valued at over US $256 million. In 2022, there were 39,409 seizures totaling more than US $112 million, while in 2023, 33,700 seizures were recorded worth approximately US $135 million. So far in 2024, there have been 10,406 seizures totaling more than US $34 million.
The DIAN has also identified areas for improvement in the current customs system, focusing on structural reforms, technological modernization, inter-institutional coordination, and strengthening of human resources. These initiatives seek to comprehensively address the issue of smuggling and protect the national economy from illegal practices that hinder its development.
Main source:
El contrabando de mercancías alcanzó US$8.800 millones entre los años 2018 y 2022 | La República (April 30, 2024)
Others related source:
Estos son los tres países desde donde más llega contrabando a Colombia, según la Dian | El Colombiano (April 30, 2024).
Contrabando en Colombia movió cerca de $28 billones en 2023, confirma la DIAN | Noticia al día (April 30, 2024)