How to claim your Colombian emerald taxes at the airport?
When you buy jewelry or emeralds in a foreign country and want to claim the corresponding taxes when leaving the country, it is essential to follow certain procedures to ensure a smooth experience.
In the case of Colombia, an electronic billing mechanism recently applies for jewelry and emerald shops, which are obliged to return 19% of the total purchase made by a foreign citizen or tourist.
To avoid confusion when validating taxes, here is a detailed guide to what you should know as a foreigner when claiming taxes on these purchases at the airport.
Where is the entity in which I have to claim the taxes?
The DIAN (Directorate of National Taxes and Customs) is the entity responsible for managing taxes and customs in Colombia. In the case of El Dorado Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, you can find the DIAN office at the same airport.
The DIAN usually has a customs office at the airport, where you can carry out tax and customs procedures.
DIAN offices are usually located in international areas of arrivals or departures, as it is at these points that passengers usually carry out customs formalities.
You can go to the El Dorado Airport information desk and ask employees about the specific location of the DIAN. Airports often have trained staff to provide information on services and locations.
Also, watch the signage at the airport. There are usually signs indicating the direction of customs offices and other tax-related services.
What documents do you need?
1. Purchase documentation:
- Keep all purchase receipts and original electronic invoice from the purchased jewelry or emeralds. These documents will be crucial when filing the tax claim.
2. Certificates of Authenticity:
- If the purchased jewelry or emeralds have certificates of authenticity or gemological certificates, be sure to take them with you. These documents support the quality and authenticity of the precious stones.
3. Claim point at the Airport:
- Before heading to the airport, identify the specific point where you can make the tax claim. Many airports have offices or counters designated for this purpose. Remember that if you pass the customs sector without claiming your taxes it will be impossible to do it differently.
4. Time of Claim:
- Be sure to make the tax claim within the deadline. Some countries have restrictions on the time after purchase where you can request tax refunds.
5. Property verification:
- Prepare for customs officers to check the jewelry or emeralds at the time of the claim. Keep the parts accessible to facilitate the inspection process.
6. Forms of claim:
- Complete any form required for the tax claim. These forms usually require detailed information on the purchase and proof of export of goods.
7. Refund Currency:
- Find out if the tax refund is made in the local currency or in foreign currency. This can vary by country and affect the final amount you receive.
8. Time limits for repayment:
- In our experience, we have learned that depending on the payment method made the refund of taxes has a stipulated repayment period of return. This can take 1 to 3 working months.
Paula A. Bonilla
Social communicator and journalist from Sergio Arboleda University in Colombia. She is also a jeweler and is passionate about constantly learning about precious gems and national high jewelry.
Currently, she is working for one of Bogotá's most important jewelry stores, Emerald by Love. This jewelry store has over 40 years of experience and has 2 physical branches in the capital city of Colombia, located in the city center.
