COLOMBIA

Capital: Bogota
Population:  44,725,000
Currency: Colombian Peso
Official Language(s): Spanish

I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

Please click on the above link for a list of Codex chemical MRLs.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

    A. Chemical residue standards:

      Colombia defers to maximum residue levels established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

    B. Monitoring chemical residues:

      Colombia does not actively monitor chemical residues on imported fruit.

    C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

      This aspect has not been considered in the local regulations. The pattern usually is to accept U.S. standards.

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

No information.

IV. TARIFFS

    Apple, pear and cherry imports are assessed a tariff rate of 15% ad valorem. 

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

    A. Labeling requirements:

Labels on packages or cartons must be in Spanish and state the following information:

1.  Product name e.g., apples.
2.  Net content.
3.  Name and address of packer or importer
4.  Country of Origin.
5.  Lot identification.
6.  Expiration date or minimum useful life.
7.  Conditions for product storage.

Spanish language stickers may be applied by the importer.

    B. Licenses and quotas:

      None.

    C. Currency Issues:

None.

    D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

      A phytosanitary certificate (PC) and import permit (IP) are required.  A PC will not be issued unless an IP is presented.  All fruit must be certified in accordance with the work plan.  Fruit must be free from certain tropical fruit flies which do not occur in the states of Idaho, Oregon or Washington, Rhagoletis spp. including apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella), Cydia spp. (fruit moths), including Codling moth (Cydia pomonella), and San Jose scale (Quadraspidiosus perniciosus).  For Cydia pomonella and Quadraspidiotus perniciosus intensified inspection is required with at least 2% of all boxes in each lot inspected for pests; 1% of the fruit in those boxes must be cut and inspected for possible infestation.

      Fresh fruit must have one of the following additional declarations:  "The shipment originated in an area free from Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), pink hibiscus mealy bug." OR, "The shipment was inspected and found free of Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), pink hibiscus mealy bug."

      Since 1993 codling moth has been detected in apple shipments to Colombia on a number of occasions.  According to USDA representatives in that country, when detection of codling moth occurs the shipments must be re-exported as Colombian plant quarantine officials are not authorized to have the product fumigated and released for consumption.  Shippers should take all reasonable precautions to avoid sending codling moth infested fruit to Colombia.

E.  Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM) Regulations:

VI. SUBSIDIES

The government of Colombia provides subsidized credit to agriculture, mostly to small farmers, which may help fruit production.

VII.  MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY

Pear Bureau Northwest:

Raquel Benaim
Consultores 27, Ltd.
Panama, Republica de Panama
Voice:   011-507 6206 5927
USA:  305 647 7823
E-mail:  consultores27ltd@gmail.com  

Washington Apple Commission:

Humberto Bonell
Bonesko S. en C.
Bogota, Colombia
Voice:  011-57-1-2740515
E-mail:  bonesko@cable.net.co

VIII.  OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental: 

IX. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

On  February 27, 2006 the U.S. and Colombia concluded free trade agreement negotiations.  A final agreement was signed into law by the U.S. on October 21, 2011.  The two governments must now implement the agreement so that the trade benefits may be realized.  Implementation should occur sometime in 2012.

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office - Colombia

105 South 18th Street, Suite 105
Yakima, Washington 98901, USA
Voice: (509) 453-3193, Fax: (509) 457-7615
E-mail general@nwhort.org