The National Government reactivates a mechanism to reimburse exporters for a portion of the taxes they pay.

The National Government reactivated the Tax Refund Certificate (Cert) with the goal of diversifying and boosting exports of value-added industrial goods and knowledge-based services. It also seeks to boost investment, production, and job creation.

The CERT is a mechanism that allows exporters to be reimbursed for a portion of the indirect taxes paid in the production process of goods or the provision of services actually exported.

The acting Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Cielo Rusinque Urrego, emphasized that this mechanism will be in effect from 2025 to 2026 to promote exports and stimulate the modernization and sophistication of Colombia's productive apparatus for goods and services, as well as industrial competitiveness.

“The government has no doubt that this is one of the instruments that will help us drive the reactivation and reindustrialization of the Colombian economy. Our commitment is to rely less and less on coal and oil, and more on sustainable, knowledge-based, inclusive, and job-creating production sources, and that's where the CERT is headed,” the minister stated.

He also noted that this instrument is even more important given the current international context marked by trade tensions. "This situation requires us not only to diversify our export basket, but also the destination markets for our exports. The CERT will foster new opportunities for our products and services to reach more markets around the world," he added.

For his part, Finance Minister Germán Ávila explained that the CERT will strengthen our economy by boosting domestic production with greater added value, which translates into more employment in strategic sectors by reducing indirect taxes associated with the export of goods and services.

The Cert is the result of a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector and will be awarded to products that have undergone the most significant production or transformation process, meaning those with the greatest added value.

For these goods , the refund they will be entitled to will be equivalent to 3 percent of the exported value (FOB (Free On Board) value). Meanwhile, exports of services involving technology and innovation will receive a refund of 2 percent of the exported value.

It is important to note that the Cert will not be applicable to exports made to and from free trade zones or to those goods and services directed to member countries of the Andean Community (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru) and Venezuela.

This benefit will be exclusive to manufacturers, producers, or assemblers of the goods actually exported. The objective is to ensure that the beneficiaries are those actually involved in the production and direct export.

Among the services that will be able to access the Cert are professionals, healthcare, education , and specialized maintenance, among others.

Regarding goods, nearly 5,000 tariff subheadings will be covered, including products from sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food, machinery, automotive, and shipbuilding, among others.

This instrument, which was recommended by the Committee on Customs, Tariff, and Foreign Trade Affairs (Triple A) and approved by the Higher Council for Fiscal Policy (Confis), seeks to strengthen Colombia's export portfolio, not only in terms of volume but also in the sophistication of the products and services exported.