Decree 1299 has been issued by the Colombian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism which affects the control of 'textiles materials and textile manufactured goods and footwear and its parts' entering the country. Both individuals and companies who intend to import such goods must now be registered in a general importers' register.

National Director of Customs Juan Pablo Ortiz has urged importers to acquaint themselves with the content of the new regulation in order to avoid damages for violating any of the obligations contained in the decree. The decree includes new rules concerning contraband control and gives the National Customs and Tax Department (Dian) more authority.

Mr Ortiz explained, “The Colombian government considers customs control and risk important enough to justify the need for the registration which means obtaining an import authorisation which has been previously submitted to the rigour of the law.”

The law includes information on the minimum assets importers must own, a detailed declaration of the lots to be imported and the suppliers’ name and there are strict sanctions for non-compliers.