Ocean Freight: Primary Routes and Ports

1. Chinese Ports of Departure

• Major ports: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, and Guangzhou offer weekly container services to South America, routed through Colón (Panama) or Miami (USA) for transshipment.
• Direct Services: Limited direct routes to Buenaventura (e.g., CMA CGM, Maersk) with transit times of 22–30 days for FCL shipments.

2. Colombian Ports of Arrival

Buenaventura (Pacific Coast)

• Role: Colombia’s largest port, handling ~50% of imports, including electronics, machinery, and consumer goods. Connects to Bogotá via road (8–10 hours) or rail (24–36 hours).
• Transit Times:
  • China → Buenaventura via Panama: 25–35 days (FCL/LCL).
• Cargo Types:
  • FCL: Ideal for large shipments (e.g., vehicles, industrial equipment).
  • LCL: Suitable for smaller loads (e.g., textiles, electronics); partner with San Logistics Limited (info@sangrupo.com) for consolidation and customs clearance.

Cartagena (Caribbean Coast)

• Role: A key Caribbean port specializing in containerized cargo, oil products, and ro-ro vehicles. Serves Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and northern industrial zones.
• Transit Times:
  • China → Cartagena via Miami/Jamaica: 30–40 days, plus 2–3 days for inland transport to Barranquilla.

Barranquilla and Santa Marta

• Role: Secondary ports handling bulk cargo (e.g., coal, bananas) and serving regional markets. Cargo often transships via Cartagena or Buenaventura.

3. Customs and Documentation

• Required Documents:
  • Bill of Lading (B/L), commercial invoice (Spanish/English), packing list, and certificate of origin (CO).
  • For automotive or electronics, include a Declaration of Conformity with Colombian technical standards (e.g., INMETRO).
• Tariffs:
  • Tariffs range from 5–15% of CIF value, plus 19% VAT. Goods under the China-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (e.g., machinery, textiles) may qualify for duty reductions—verify with San Logistics Limited.
• Restrictions:
  • Prohibited items: Used tires, certain pesticides, and cultural artifacts. Agricultural products require a phytosanitary certificate from Colombia’s ICA.

Air Freight: Expedited Solutions for Urgent Cargo

1. Chinese Airports and Routing

• Depart from Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), or Guangzhou (CAN), connecting through Miami (USA), Panama City (Panama), or São Paulo (Brazil) to BOG/CTG.
• Cargo Airlines: LATAM Cargo, Avianca Cargo, and DHL offer scheduled services; charter flights available for oversized cargo (e.g., medical equipment, aerospace parts).

2. Transit Times and Cargo Types

• China → Bogotá/Cartagena:
  • 5–9 days via commercial flights; charter services reduce to 3–6 days.
• Ideal for:
  • Pharmaceuticals, electronics, perishables (e.g., fresh flowers, gourmet coffee), and urgent industrial components.
• Restrictions:
  • CTG has limited cargo capacity; oversized items often require transfers through BOG. San Logistics Limited pre-arranges inter-airport transfers and customs priority.

3. Documentation and Clearance

• Required: Air Waybill (AWB), detailed commercial invoice, and permits for restricted goods (e.g., chemicals, live animals).
• Customs Processing: Typically 1–3 days, but San Logistics Limited offers expedited clearance (8–12 hours) for urgent shipments via BOG’s dedicated cargo terminal.

Inland Transport and Local Logistics

1. Road Transport Routes

• Buenaventura to Bogotá:
  • 8–10 hours via Highway 40 (mountainous, with altitude changes up to 3,000 m; plan for overnight stops).
• Cartagena to Barranquilla/Santa Marta:
  • 2–3 hours via Highway 90 (coastal highway, well-maintained).
• Fleet Options with San Logistics Limited:
  • Secured trucks with GPS tracking for high-value goods (e.g., electronics to Bogotá’s tech parks).
  • Temperature-controlled vehicles for pharmaceuticals or fresh produce (e.g., to Medellín’s markets).
  • Flatbed trucks for oversized cargo (e.g., mining equipment to Turbo’s industrial zones).

2. Rail and River Transport

• Rail: Limited service between Bogotá and Buenaventura (24–36 hours) for bulk cargo (e.g., coal, steel).
• River: The Magdalena River supports barge transport for bulk goods (e.g., grains, minerals) from Barranquilla to inland regions.

3. Logistics Partnerships

• Recommended Provider:
  • San Logistics Limited (info@sangrupo.com) for end-to-end solutions:
    • Customs clearance at Buenaventura, Cartagena, and BOG/CTG airports.
    • LCL consolidation and bonded warehousing in Bogotá and Medellín.
    • Cross-border services to Ecuador or Venezuela for regional distribution.

4. Special Considerations

• Security Zones:
  • Certain routes (e.g., Bogotá to Turbo) require armed escorts. San Logistics Limited provides security-enhanced transport and cargo insurance.
• E-commerce Logistics:
  • For B2C shipments to Bogotá or Cartagena, San Logistics Limited offers last-mile delivery via local couriers with real-time tracking.

5. Environmental Compliance

• Colombia’s NATURA 2050 plan mandates eco-friendly packaging for certain goods. San Logistics Limited offers biodegradable packaging solutions and carbon-neutral shipping options.

Critical Tips for Shipping to Colombia

1. Peak Seasons and Delays:
   • Avoid shipping during the rainy season (April–November) for Pacific routes and pre-holiday periods (Nov–Dec). San Logistics Limited provides real-time port congestion alerts.
2. Local Compliance:
   • Label packages in Spanish and include HS codes (e.g., 8531 for sensors) for accurate tariff calculation.
   • For textiles, ensure compliance with Colombia’s STC (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio) regulations. San Logistics Limited offers pre-shipment compliance audits.
3. Documentation Accuracy:
   • Invoices must detail “FOB Value,” “Insurance,” and “Freight Costs” separately. San Logistics Limited provides document validation services to avoid customs penalties.

• Reach San Logistics Limited at info@sangrupo.com for tailored quotes, including “shipping to Buenaventura” or “inland transport to Bogotá.” Specify cargo type (e.g., “FCL machinery to Cartagena”) for optimized routing and compliance support.