Colombian trade association urges customs flexibility as earthquake disrupts logistics
Colombia’s Trade Association (Analdex) is seeking regulatory relief and greater operational flexibility for companies dealing with earthquake-related delays.
The August 10 event affected Colombia's southwestern and western central regions—comprising the Pacific coast and the Andean coffee belt—critical engines for global trade.
The association said road disruptions and precautionary suspensions at some port terminals have made it difficult for companies in affected areas to meet standard customs and compliance deadlines.
"It is unreasonable to enforce standard timelines and bureaucratic procedures on companies operating out of cities where logistics remain fully normal," Analdex stated.
The association said the Colombian government's declaration of a national disaster should result in measures that prevent additional costs and financial pressure on businesses and workers affected by the disruption.
Earthquake relief takes shape
Analdex said it is working with government agencies to seek administrative relief for logistics operations. The entity continues to monitor highways, airports and port infrastructure, particularly along the Buenaventura corridor, one of Colombia’s most vital logistics and commercial arteries, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the country's major economic centers.
Among the measures already implemented, Analdex highlighted Resolution (Auto) 2518 from the Buenaventura regional division of Colombia's tax and customs authority, DIAN, which suspended statutory customs transit deadlines.
The association also pointed to a Ministry of Finance draft decree that would suspend administrative customs proceedings through September 10, as well as proposed changes to the tax filing calendar.
Analdex has asked DIAN to instruct its audit and enforcement units not to initiate penalty proceedings against customs users when delays can be directly attributed to the earthquake.
The trade group is also seeking authorization for coastal cabotage between Buenaventura on Colombia's Pacific coast and Cartagena on the Caribbean coast under force majeure provisions. If approved, the measure would provide an alternative route for clearing cargo backlogs at port facilities.
Analdex said it continues to advocate for measures that would facilitate the entry of international relief supplies and temporarily ease restrictive import procedures.
Trade group also supports relief efforts
Beyond regulatory measures, Analdex said it deployed teams to help source heavy equipment, including cranes, hydraulic jacks, oxy-fuel cutting equipment and backhoes, for search-and-rescue operations in priority areas.
The association also provided logistics support, coordinated volunteer structural and design engineers, and managed aid shipments and donations for affected communities.
Analdex valued support from Colombia's Ministry of Transport, the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), Invima, and other agencies involved in foreign-trade compliance.
The association said it will continue monitoring critical infrastructure and receiving operational incident reports from member companies as authorities and businesses work to restore trade flows and support recovery in affected areas.
*All images are referential via Shutterstock.
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