International Visitors No Longer Have To Stand In Line For Tax Stamp When Departing From Colombia’s Airports

Up until now, International visitors, and Colombians in certain circumstances, have had to go to a counter and get a tax exemption stamp known as an “exento” when departing Colombia. This exempts them from a modest departure tax, but creates an unnecessary hassle, and another line which in some cases, could cause one to miss one’s flight. Countless first time travelers have waited patiently in line for check-in only to be told that they have to go stand in another line and then come back, possibly missing their flight. As of September 8^th, this will no longer be the case.

• New procedure streamlines the departure procedure from Colombian airports
• Travelers will save an average of 40 minutes in their departure process
• The measure took effect beginning last Tuesday September 8^th

The lines for the tax stamp in the past could be up to 40 minutes long, creating a significant bottleneck for the international traveler. Resolution 01545 of July 2^nd, 2015 applies to Colombian passengers who live outside of the country and are visiting for a period of less than 180 days, foreign tourists or travelers who will be in Colombia for less than 60 days, subsidized or scholarship students who are studying abroad, public servants on official business, diplomats, children under five years old, official sports delegations, and residents of the San Andres islands who are visiting Central American countries for less than 10 days.

The departure tax has been integrated into the price of international airline tickets. The airlines have been able to reimburse passengers in exchange for the tax receipt. Other airlines that don’t charge the integrated tax must collect the receipt before passengers board.  Now, the airlines will determine who is required to pay the tax and who is not, remaining accountable to Colombia’s Aerocivil, the civilian aviation authority.