The United Kingdom is considered to be Europe’s business and financial centre and ranks fourth in the world in terms of volume of imports (www.economywatch.com).  In 2006, over US$300 million were exported to the UK from Colombia, with coal, coffee, flowers and palm tree oil being some of the most representative products. (www.proex port.com.co).

Colombia currently enjoys the benefits of the European Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and therefore the majority of its products are subject to import tariff exceptions and significant tax reductions when entering any EU country, including The United Kingdom (http://europa.eu/ ). Under this treaty, designed to encourage and foster development among developing countries; Colombian made products have a significant opportunity and a valuable competitive advantage when penetrating and position themselves in the UK market.

Explore the following links in order to learn more about the potential of Colombian manufactured products, regulations and procedures.

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)
http://ec.europa.eu

Export guide to the UK (Spanish)
http://www.proexport.com.co/

Acces to the market
http://www.proexport.com.co/VBeContent

Logistic Profile – From Colombia to the UK
http://www.proexport.com.co/VBeContent/NewsDetail.asp?ID=1229&IDCompany=16

Export Guide from Colombia to the UK
http://www.proexport.com.co/VBeContent/NewsDetail.asp?ID=4047&IDCompany=16

Importing to the UK http://www.dti.gov.uk/europeandtrade/importing-into-uk/page9728.html

EU Taxation for Imports
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/tarhome_en.htm

Basics of International Trade
www.businesslink.gov.uk/internationaltrade

UK Trade Tariff
www.businesslink.gov.uk/tariff