How to Shop Amazon in Colombia: A Step-by-Step Guide

Elky Ramirez
Oct 26
6 min read

Updated: Oct 27

So, you're living in or traveling through Colombia, and you've found that perfect item on Amazon.com that you just can't get locally. You might assume it's impossible, but the answer is yes, with the right steps, you absolutely can!

While ordering to Colombia is possible, it's not quite as simple as a one-day Prime delivery in the US. This ultimate guide will walk you through the two main ways to get your Amazon haul delivered right to your Colombian doorstep, complete with tips on customs, duties, and making the process as smooth as a Colombian coffee.

The Colombian Customs No-Fly List: What You Can't Ship (And Why)

Ignoring the list of restricted and prohibited items is the fastest way to get your package seized. The general rule for courier shipments (like those from Amazon) to Colombia is: If it is consumed, applied to the body, or requires an import license for safety, it will be stopped.

Here is a breakdown of the most common restricted categories and the regulatory reasons behind the rules:

The INVIMA Trap (Food, Supplements, Medicine, and Cosmetics)

This is the most common reason packages are seized. Colombia’s National Institute of Food and Drug Monitoring (INVIMA), like a very stringent FDA, requires a Sanitary Registry (Registro Sanitario) for nearly all products that are ingested or applied to the body.

Category	Prohibited Items	Regulatory Reason
Vitamins & Supplements	Protein powder, vitamins, diet pills, homeopathic remedies.	Requires an INVIMA Registration to guarantee safety and prevent the import of unapproved ingredients.
Medicine & Medical Devices	Prescription medicine, non-prescription drugs, condoms, and most over-the-counter creams.	Condoms are classified as Medical Devices and require an INVIMA registration to ensure effectiveness and quality control.
Packaged Food	Shelf-stable snacks, coffee (commercial quantity), specialty sauces, candies, and dried goods.	Requires an INVIMA Sanitary Registry for all finished food products, and the ICA (Agricultural Institute) restricts ingredients like nuts and seeds to prevent pests and disease.

The Issue: When customs (DIAN) checks your package, they see "Vitamins" or "Packaged Food." They must then verify the commercial importer's INVIMA registration. Since you, a private citizen, are not the registered commercial importer, the product is immediately flagged as non-compliant and seized.

Other Major Prohibitions

Category	Prohibited Items	Regulatory Reason
Hazardous Materials	Perfumes, nail polish, aerosols, spray paint, corrosive liquids, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.	Strict international air freight safety regulations (IATA rules). These are fire hazards on planes and are banned from standard courier services.
Dangerous Electronics	Electric bicycles/scooters, and large lithium batteries (often in excess of 100Wh).	Lithium batteries are a fire hazard and are heavily regulated under IATA dangerous goods rules.
Weapons & Security	Firearms, ammunition, airsoft guns, tactical gear, military uniforms, and sometimes tasers.	Strict national security and public safety laws. Import requires exclusive permits from the Ministry of Defense's INDUMIL.

Your Best Strategy: Do not risk ordering these items via courier. Buy them locally in Colombia, where the registered importer has already handled the complex regulatory paperwork.

Method 1: Direct Shipping (The Easiest Way)

This is the simplest, most direct way to shop. Amazon handles everything—shipping, international carriers, and calculating the estimated import fees.

Step 1: Set Your Delivery Address to Colombia

The very first thing you need to do is tell Amazon where you are.

Go to Amazon.com and sign in.
Click the "Deliver to..." location in the top-left corner.
Enter your Colombian address, including your city and department (state).

Desktop:

Mobile:

Step 2: Find Your Eligible Product

This is the most crucial step to save you time and frustration.

After setting your address, most of your searches should automatically filter to items eligible for international shipping (usually called "Amazon Global" items).
If not, look for a filter option like "Ship to [Your Country]" or "Amazon Global Store" to ensure the item will ship to your location.

Step 3: The Colombian Customs Cliff: Understanding the $200 De Minimis Rule

This is the most critical information for any Amazon shopper in Colombia. The $200 limit is not an allowance; it's a "Customs Cliff" that determines whether your shipment is treated as a simple courier package or a full-scale import subject to high taxes.

The Golden Exemption (The Sweet Spot)

For your shipment to enter Colombia free of all Customs Duties (Arancel) AND free of the 19% Value Added Tax (IVA), it must meet three criteria:

Value: The total Shipment Value (the cost of the goods) must be $200 USD or less.
Origin: The package must originate from a country with which Colombia has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that includes this provision (the United States is one).
Non-Commercial: It must be classified as a personal import, generally containing fewer than six (6) units of the same class of merchandise.

The Tax Trap (The Cliff)

If your shipment's value (Item Price + Shipping/Insurance, known as the CIF Value) goes even slightly over $200 USD, the entire shipment is subject to full customs clearance, and the taxes apply to the entire value of the package, not just the amount over the threshold.

This dramatic cost jump is why the limit is called a "cliff."

Tax Component	Calculation Basis	Typical Impact
*Customs Duty (Arancel***)	Applied to the CIF Value (usually 5%−15% depending on the product's classification).	A mandatory fee that varies based on what you bought (e.g., electronics vs. clothing).
*Value Added Tax (IVA***)	19% applied to the (CIF Value + Customs Duty).	This is the largest single tax and is applied to the total cost after the duty is added.

Example of the Cliff:

Item A: $199 USD (from U.S.): $0 in import fees/VAT.
Item B: $201 USD: You will likely pay 25%−35% of the total value in import fees and taxes.

The Amazon Safety Net (Import Fees Deposit)

When you shop directly on Amazon.com, they automatically calculate and collect an Import Fees Deposit for any order over the $200 threshold. This deposit is Amazon's way of pre-paying the Colombian taxes and duties on your behalf.

Pros: Your package clears customs faster and you are guaranteed to not pay any additional fees upon delivery.
Cons: You pay the full estimated taxes upfront.

Tactical Tip: If your items total over $200, split the order into two separate transactions (and ideally place them on separate days) to maximize the chance that each shipment is treated independently and falls under the $200 de minimis threshold.

Step 4: Check Shipping Costs (Including the FREE $35 Perk)

Amazon offers two main shipping cost scenarios for direct delivery:

FREE International Shipping: Amazon offers FREE International Shipping to Colombia for eligible orders over $35 USD. This is the best deal, provided you keep the total order under the $200 customs cliff.
Standard Shipping Fee: If your order is under $35, a standard international shipping fee will apply. This cost varies based on the size and weight of the items.

Step 5: Finalizing Payment & The Import Fees Deposit

When you proceed to checkout, you will see a clear breakdown of the final charges.

Orders Under $200: You pay the Item Price and the calculated Shipping Fee (or $0 if you hit the free shipping threshold). No tax deposit is required.
Orders Over $200 (The Import Fees Deposit): Amazon automatically calculates and collects an Import Fees Deposit. This is an estimate of all customs duties and the 19% VAT that will be levied by the Colombian government (DIAN).
- The Safety Net: Amazon manages the clearance. If the actual fees are less than the deposit, Amazon will refund the difference. If they are more, you are guaranteed not to pay any extra.

Method 2: Using a Parcel Forwarding Service (Casillero)

A Casillero (or "Locker") is a service that gives you a physical address in the US (usually in Miami, Florida). You use this address for your Amazon order, and the forwarding company then ships the package to you in Colombia.

When should you use a Casillero?

When the item does not ship directly to Colombia.
For expensive electronics or large shipments, as a casillero might offer better total pricing, especially if they can consolidate multiple orders into one large box for you.
When you want more control over the shipping speed and process.

The Process in a Nutshell:

Sign up with a reputable Colombian-based Casillero service. They will give you a unique US address.
Order on Amazon.com and use your new US Casillero address as the shipping destination.
The package arrives at the Casillero's US warehouse.
The Casillero service sends you an email. You will need to declare the contents and value of the package to them.
You pay the Casillero's fee for international shipping, handling, and import taxes.
The Casillero company ships it to you in Colombia.

Pro-Tips for Ordering Successfully

Tip	Why It Matters
Mind the $200 Limit	To avoid a full customs assessment (19% VAT + Duties), try to keep your entire Amazon cart under $200 USD if you are using a Casillero service.
Pay in USD, Not COP	Amazon's currency conversion rate can be much higher than your bank's. Always select USD at checkout and let your Colombian bank/card provider handle the conversion for a better rate.
Beware of Prohibited Items	Colombian customs strictly regulates or prohibits certain items, including some electronics, health products, high-power batteries, and certain chemicals. Always check the rules before ordering an unusual item.
Expect Variable Delivery Times	Standard shipping can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. If you need something for a specific date, give yourself plenty of buffer time.
Check for Free Shipping	Even with direct shipping, many orders over $35 USD are eligible for free standard international shipping. Always check the options!