Introduction
In this space we are going to explain what it means to send or bring a package under the Courier modality, and what is the main difference with respect to bringing it under the cargo modality, which is also one of the most used in the world.
What is a Courier shipment?
Courier, postal traffic or express shipping (these are some of the names it has) is a modality that exists for the import or export of goods and is characterized by simple, fast and expeditious processes.
Under this modality, either a natural person or a legal entity (company) can send or bring something from abroad, since no major formalities are required to do so, but only some customs requirements that depend on the country of origin and/or destination must be complied with.
The interesting thing about this shipping method is that it does NOT require customs agent or broker for the release of the package, which reduces time, money, and you get the goods to arrive very quickly, because transit times ranging from 1 day to 8 working days (depending on the carrier) are handled.
What requirements must be met in Colombia to send abroad (export) a package under this modality?
In Colombia there is NO weight limit*, declared value (the value of your merchandise) or quantity limit for you to be able to send something to another country under this Courier modality. This means that you as a natural person or as a company and without customs intermediaries can send from an envelope up to 3 tons and all with a door to door service.
Now, it is important that you know 2 things:
You must first validate with your foreign trade advisor that the product you want to ship can be handled under this modality, as there are some restrictions for certain products such as coffee, jewelry, some works of art, etc.
The fact that a package leaves Colombia Courier does not mean that it will enter Courier to the destination country. Each country has its own rules and therefore, it is important to know whether or not you meet the requirements.
What requirements must be met in Colombia to bring from abroad (import) a package under this modality?
The import rules in Colombia are undoubtedly very different from those mentioned above, as you must comply with 3 things:
- The total weight of your box(es) must be less than 50 kg.
- The value of your merchandise must be less than USD 2,000.
- There should be no more than 6 units of the same reference.
You should keep in mind that the type of merchandise you want to bring into Colombia also influences the ease with which you can import it into Colombia. Bringing in textiles is not the same as bringing in spare parts, and customs regulations for one product or the other may change.
Conclusion
The Courier mode is the easiest way to send or bring something from abroad, because unlike the cargo mode, it does not require a customs agent, transit times are faster, they are characterized by being traceable and always delivered to the customer’s address and it is a mode that allows you as a natural person, as an entrepreneur or businessman to take or bring packages from abroad in a very simple way.
To ship under this modality you normally only need a commercial invoice or proforma, although depending on the product you may need special permits that are often not so difficult to obtain. It all depends on the product you want to ship/bring.
Now that you know this modality… Take advantage of it to connect with the world and if you are an entrepreneur, don’t wait any longer to make your product known internationally! It is very easy.
