VAT on Gold in Colombia
The sale of gold in Colombia, including investment bars, is subject to the general 19% IVA; there is no exemption for investment-grade gold. Gold jewellery pays the general 19% IVA on its full price. Today 10 grams of 24K gold cost $3,943,737 at the world price and about $4,693,047 with tax and duty.
Rules checked 26 October 2026 · Prices Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC · Not tax advice
Gold in Colombia today, with tax
COP · Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC| Weight | World price, 24K gold | Bar or coin, with tax and duty | 18K jewellery metal, with tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | $394,374 | $469,305 | $351,979 |
| 1 tomín | $226,765 | $269,850 | $202,388 |
| 1 castellano | $1,814,119 | $2,158,802 | $1,619,101 |
| 10 grams | $3,943,737 | $4,693,047 | $3,519,785 |
| 1 ounce | $12,266,393 | $14,597,008 | $10,947,756 |
The rules in Colombia
| What you buy | Tax | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bars and bullion coins | 19% | The sale of gold in Colombia, including investment bars, is subject to the general 19% IVA; there is no exemption for investment-grade gold. DIAN (Oficio 1398 of 2020, repeating Concepto 32055 of 2017) holds that the sale of gold is a taxable IVA event under Estatuto Tributario art. 420 and that minerals have no general exemption. The only exemptions are for exports and for sales to international trading companies (C.I.) when the gold is actually exported (ET arts. 479 and 481(b); Decree 3991/2010). IVA applies when the seller is registered for IVA, as dealers are. A 2026 Rankia article claiming that gold of 99.5% purity is exempt cites no law and appears to repeat Spain's rules. |
| Jewellery | 19% | Gold jewellery pays the general 19% IVA on its full price. Charged on: full value. |
| Import duty | 0% | Colombia is a gold producer and exporter. Local gold prices follow the Banco de la República's purchase price, which is based on the LBMA price, so no import duty is built in. Imported gold jewellery (7113.19.00.00) pays 15% import duty plus IVA, which affects imported pieces only. |
| Tourist refund | Yes | Foreign tourists can reclaim IVA on goods taxed with IVA and taken out of the country (Decree 1495 of 2021, DUR 1625/2016 arts. 1.6.1.23.1 and following). Jewellery taxed at 19% qualifies. Each electronic invoice must be at least 3 UVT and must come from an IVA-registered seller, and the refund is capped at 200 UVT of IVA per request. The claim is filed with DIAN, or at a Global Blue kiosk, at major international airports before check-in. The refund is at most 16% of the IVA-inclusive price (19/119), less operator costs. Food, alcohol, fuel and services do not qualify. |
Compared with nearby countries
| Country | Bars and coins | Jewellery | Import duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 19% | 19% | none |
| United States | 0% (0–10.55%) | 7.53% (0–about 12%) | none |
| Canada | 0% | 13% (5–15%) | none |
| Mexico | 0% | 16% | none |
| Brazil | 1% | several taxes | none |
| Peru | 0% | 18% | none |
VAT on Gold in Colombia: FAQ
Is there VAT on gold in Colombia?
The sale of gold in Colombia, including investment bars, is subject to the general 19% IVA; there is no exemption for investment-grade gold. Gold jewellery pays the general 19% IVA on its full price.
Do you pay VAT on gold bars and coins in Colombia?
The sale of gold in Colombia, including investment bars, is subject to the general 19% IVA; there is no exemption for investment-grade gold. DIAN (Oficio 1398 of 2020, repeating Concepto 32055 of 2017) holds that the sale of gold is a taxable IVA event under Estatuto Tributario art. 420 and that minerals have no general exemption. The only exemptions are for exports and for sales to international trading companies (C.I.) when the gold is actually exported (ET arts. 479 and 481(b); Decree 3991/2010). IVA applies when the seller is registered for IVA, as dealers are. A 2026 Rankia article claiming that gold of 99.5% purity is exempt cites no law and appears to repeat Spain's rules.
Is there import duty on gold in Colombia?
Colombia is a gold producer and exporter. Local gold prices follow the Banco de la República's purchase price, which is based on the LBMA price, so no import duty is built in. Imported gold jewellery (7113.19.00.00) pays 15% import duty plus IVA, which affects imported pieces only.
Can tourists claim back the VAT on gold in Colombia?
Yes. Foreign tourists can reclaim IVA on goods taxed with IVA and taken out of the country (Decree 1495 of 2021, DUR 1625/2016 arts. 1.6.1.23.1 and following). Jewellery taxed at 19% qualifies. Each electronic invoice must be at least 3 UVT and must come from an IVA-registered seller, and the refund is capped at 200 UVT of IVA per request. The claim is filed with DIAN, or at a Global Blue kiosk, at major international airports before check-in. The refund is at most 16% of the IVA-inclusive price (19/119), less operator costs. Food, alcohol, fuel and services do not qualify.
Sources (8)
- DIAN Oficio 1398 (906586) of 2020: sale of gold is a taxable IVA event (CIJUF) (2020-10-29)
- DIAN Oficio 2095 of 2019: gold sold in Colombia triggers IVA; export exemption (DIAN normograma) (2019)
- Decree 3991 of 2010: gold sold to Banco de la República taxed at general IVA rate (2010-10-27)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Colombia (VAT 19%) (2026-07-21)
- Decree 1495 of 2021: IVA refund for foreign tourists (Función Pública) (2021-11-19)
- Nexo Legal: VAT refund for tourists in Colombia (airports, DIAN/Global Blue) (2026-05-03)
- eAduana: Arancel Nacional Colombia, chapter 71 (7113.19 at 15%) (2026)
- Rankia: how to invest in gold in Colombia (claims an unsourced exemption at 99.5%) (2026-08-27)
Related
General information on the tax a private buyer pays, checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check with the seller, the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.