Freight Forwarding Colombia → United States
Ocean and air freight from Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific ports to US markets. US–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement benefits, customs clearance, and end-to-end logistics.
Origin & Destination Ports
Primary gateways our partner network uses on this corridor. We can route through alternates for capacity, weather, or cost.
Origin Ports — Colombia
- Port of Cartagena
- Port of Buenaventura
- El Dorado International Airport (Bogotá)
Destination Ports — United States
- Port of Miami
- Port of New York/New Jersey
- Miami International Airport
Regulatory Snapshot
Snapshot of clearance and duty rules. For your specific HS code, request a personalized assessment.
Customs clearance
Imports from Colombia to the USA benefit from the US–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA), which requires a certificate of origin to claim preferential duty rates. Standard required documents include: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and CBP Form 7501 for formal entries. Agricultural products, especially fresh flowers and produce, require USDA/APHIS phytosanitary certificates and may be subject to CBP agricultural inspection at Miami or other entry ports. Food imports require FDA Prior Notice.
Tariff & duties
Under the US–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA, effective May 2012), the majority of Colombian goods — including coffee, cut flowers, textiles, and many manufactured goods — enter the USA duty-free. Coal and most mineral products also qualify. A certificate of origin prepared by the Colombian exporter is required to claim FTA benefits. Goods that do not meet CTPA rules of origin are assessed at standard MFN tariff rates. No Section 301 tariffs apply to Colombian goods.
Quick facts
- US–Colombia FTA Experts
The US–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (in force since 2012) eliminates duties on most Colombian goods. We prepare and validate FTA certificates of origin for every eligible shipment.
- Flower & Perishable Specialists
Colombia is the USA's largest supplier of cut flowers. We manage temperature-controlled air freight, USDA phytosanitary compliance, and Miami airport cold-chain handling for flower exporters.
- Cartagena Gateway
As a major regional hub, Cartagena offers direct services to Miami and New York. Our local agents in Cartagena and Buenaventura provide real-time booking and cargo monitoring.
- What we move on this lane
Coffee, Cut Flowers & Plants, Coal, Textiles & Apparel, Bananas & Fresh Produce, Chemicals & Plastics
Related Shipping Routes
Frequently asked questions about Colombia → United States
How long does shipping from Colombia to the USA take?
Ocean freight from Colombia to the USA takes 8–16 days for FCL from Cartagena to Miami (approximately 8–10 days on direct services) or New York (12–16 days). LCL with consolidation adds 5–8 days. Air freight from Bogotá to Miami takes 2–4 days door-to-door.
Is there a free trade agreement between Colombia and the USA?
Yes. The US–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) has been in force since May 2012. It eliminated tariffs on the vast majority of Colombian goods, including coffee, flowers, textiles, apparel, and many manufactured products. A certificate of origin is required to claim preferential rates.
What are the main cargo types shipped from Colombia to the USA?
Colombia's leading exports to the USA include: cut flowers (Colombia supplies ~80% of US imported flowers), coffee, coal, crude oil and derivatives, bananas and fresh fruit, textiles and apparel, chemicals, and processed foods. Suaid Global has deep expertise in perishable air freight and FTA certificate preparation for these commodity types.
What documents are needed to import Colombian goods into the USA?
Required documents include: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, certificate of origin (for FTA duty-free treatment), and CBP Form 7501. Agricultural and food goods require USDA phytosanitary certificates and FDA Prior Notice. Flowers require specific USDA/APHIS phytosanitary inspection at the port of entry.
How does the flower export process work from Colombia to the USA?
Cut flowers are almost exclusively shipped by air from El Dorado Airport (Bogotá) to Miami International Airport, which has a dedicated flower handling facility. The process includes: pre-cooling and packing in Colombia, USDA phytosanitary inspection pre-export, air freight booking (typically 2–4 days to Miami), USDA agricultural inspection on arrival, and cold-chain transfer to distribution. Suaid Global coordinates the entire chain from farm to US distribution center.
What ports does cargo ship through from Colombia to the USA?
On the Caribbean coast, Cartagena is Colombia's primary container port with direct services to Miami, New York, and Houston. On the Pacific coast, Buenaventura handles significant volume, particularly for goods destined for US West Coast ports via Panama Canal. Barranquilla is a secondary port for regional cargo.
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