Learn about the plan activated by Colombia for sending humanitarian aid through the DIAN

Published at: 09/07/2026 12:08 PM

Faced with the emergency that Venezuela is going through after the recent earthquakes, the Government of Colombia has implemented a special protocol so that humanitarian aid, both from the public and private sectors, reaches its destination as quickly as possible.

The objective of this strategy is to avoid unnecessary procedures and to ensure that food, medical supplies and other donations are not dammed at the border, for which the Directorate of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN) has enabled a fast track known as “export by express delivery”.

The director general of the DIAN, Carlos Emilio Betancourt Galeano, highlighted the operation of this contingency customs mechanism: “We have put in place the mechanisms provided for in customs regulations to expedite the outflow of donations for humanitarian purposes to serve affected people in Venezuela. Through the mode of exportation by express delivery, we seek to ensure that the support of Colombians reaches those who need it most in a timely manner, while ensuring compliance with customs procedures.”

For private organizations, companies and foundations that wish to send donations to Venezuelan territory, the simplified scheme eliminates the complex paperwork of an ordinary export.

The formal procedure is governed by the following steps:

Approaching the DIAN: Interested parties must manage the “express delivery” procedure directly at the office of the sectional address where the physical departure of the goods is scheduled.

Submit the list: A simple document must be entered that specifies in detail what is being shipped, the quantity, the estimated value of the goods, the data of the transport unit and the projected date of arrival in Venezuelan territory.

Immediate departure: After the delivery and validation of this list of products, the customs administration issues the corresponding authorization to immediately release the assistance shipments.

Mazo News Team