Shipping Your Belongings to Colombia: Freight, Customs, and Costs
The decision to ship your belongings from the US to Colombia is less about logistics and more about math. International freight costs $2,000–$8,000+ depending on volume, and Colombian customs adds duties and taxes on top. For many relocators, buying new furniture and appliances in Bogotá is cheaper, faster, and less stressful than shipping from abroad.
This guide covers both paths — when shipping makes sense, when buying locally wins, and the exact process for each.
When Shipping Makes Sense
Ship when the items are irreplaceable or significantly more expensive to buy in Colombia: specialized medical equipment, heirloom furniture, high-end electronics (Colombia has steep import markups on tech), professional tools, and sentimental items. Don't ship generic furniture, kitchen appliances, or clothing — these are readily available and often cheaper in Bogotá.
FCL vs. LCL: Container Options
| Option | What It Means | Typical Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL (Full Container Load) | You rent the entire container (20ft or 40ft) | $3,500–$8,000+ | 4–8 weeks |
| LCL (Less than Container Load) | Your items share a container with other shipments | $1,500–$4,000 | 6–12 weeks |
| Air freight | Fastest but most expensive; for small/urgent shipments | $5–$10 per kg | 1–2 weeks |
FCL gives you control over the timeline and reduces handling damage risk. LCL is cheaper but slower — your items wait at the port until the shared container is full. For a typical 1-bedroom household, LCL is usually sufficient. For 3+ bedrooms or fragile items, FCL is worth the premium.
The Shipping Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Get Quotes (6–8 weeks before departure)
Contact at least 3 international moving companies. Schumacher Cargo Logistics and ABC Moving are well-known for US-to-Colombia routes. Request door-to-door quotes that include packing, inland transport, ocean freight, customs clearance, and delivery to your Bogotá address.
Step 2: Create a Detailed Inventory
Colombian customs requires a complete inventory list with item descriptions and estimated values. This isn't optional — missing or inaccurate inventories cause delays and additional inspections. List everything, even clothing and personal items.
Step 3: Pack & Ship (4–6 weeks before you arrive)
The moving company handles packing if you selected a door-to-door service. Everything is inventoried, boxed, loaded, and sealed with a customs seal. You'll receive a Bill of Lading — keep this document safe.
Step 4: Customs Clearance in Colombia
Your shipment arrives at the port of Buenaventura or Cartagena. A customs broker (included in most door-to-door packages) handles the DIAN (tax authority) paperwork. You'll need your passport, visa, and the inventory list. Used personal effects for foreign nationals entering Colombia are generally exempt from import duties, but electronics and new items may be taxed.
Step 5: Inland Transport & Delivery
From the port to Bogotá is a 10–15 hour truck journey. Your moving company arranges this and delivers to your apartment door. Total time from US departure to Bogotá delivery: 6–12 weeks for LCL, 4–8 weeks for FCL.
Customs Duties and Taxes
Used personal household goods imported by foreign nationals relocating to Colombia are generally eligible for duty-free entry, provided you can demonstrate you're establishing residency (visa + cédula). However, this exemption has conditions:
The Buy-Locally Alternative
For most relocators, buying new in Bogotá is the smarter play. Here's what typical furnishing costs look like:
| Item | Bogotá Price (COP) | USD Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Queen mattress (good quality) | 1,200,000–3,000,000 | $325–$815 |
| Sofa (3-seater) | 1,500,000–4,000,000 | $410–$1,085 |
| Dining table + 4 chairs | 800,000–2,500,000 | $215–$680 |
| Washing machine | 900,000–2,000,000 | $245–$540 |
| Refrigerator | 1,200,000–3,500,000 | $325–$950 |
| Full 1BR furnishing | 5,000,000–15,000,000 | $1,360–$4,080 |
Compare that $1,360–$4,080 furnishing cost against $2,000–$8,000 in shipping fees, plus weeks of waiting, customs risk, and potential damage. For a 1BR apartment, buying locally wins every time. For larger households with valuable or irreplaceable items, shipping starts to make sense — but do the math first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Expect $2,000–$4,000 for LCL and $3,500–$6,000 for FCL from the US East Coast to Bogotá, including customs clearance and inland delivery. West Coast origins add $500–$1,000. These are door-to-door estimates.
Generally yes for foreign nationals establishing residency in Colombia. You'll need to demonstrate your relocation status with your visa and cédula documentation. New items, especially electronics, may be subject to import taxes of 15–20%.
Technically yes, but it's almost never worth it. Colombian import duties on vehicles are extremely high (35%+ of declared value), and you'll need to go through a complex homologation process. Buy or lease a car locally instead.
Pets are a separate process from household goods. They require ICA (agricultural authority) permits, health certificates within 15 days of travel, rabies vaccination proof, and microchip. Most people fly with their pets rather than ship them with cargo. See our pet import guide for the full process.
From packing in the US to delivery in Bogotá: 6–12 weeks for LCL, 4–8 weeks for FCL. Air freight is 1–2 weeks but costs significantly more. Plan to live in your temporary housing for at least 2 months if shipping by sea.