Should I really pay a "Columbia Resident Exit Tax"?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 101
Should I really pay a "Columbia Resident Exit Tax"?
I booked a ticket with Avianca (as an award with United), and I am seeing the following taxes being charged:
Colombia Airport Tax: 36.00 USD
Columbia Resident Exit Tax : 37.00 USD
Is this correct? I am not a resident of Colombia and thought that I didn't have to pay the steep resident exit tax. I called United to ask and they said it's right, but I'm still not convinced
Colombia Airport Tax: 36.00 USD
Columbia Resident Exit Tax : 37.00 USD
Is this correct? I am not a resident of Colombia and thought that I didn't have to pay the steep resident exit tax. I called United to ask and they said it's right, but I'm still not convinced
#2
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,624
I booked a ticket with Avianca (as an award with United), and I am seeing the following taxes being charged:
Colombia Airport Tax: 36.00 USD
Columbia Resident Exit Tax : 37.00 USD
Is this correct? I am not a resident of Colombia and thought that I didn't have to pay the steep resident exit tax. I called United to ask and they said it's right, but I'm still not convinced
Colombia Airport Tax: 36.00 USD
Columbia Resident Exit Tax : 37.00 USD
Is this correct? I am not a resident of Colombia and thought that I didn't have to pay the steep resident exit tax. I called United to ask and they said it's right, but I'm still not convinced
If you are in Colombia for less than 60 days then go to the Aronautica Civil Exencin de Impuestos office and get a little stamp in your passport. The office is opposite the check in desks.
Here is one I made earlier
Next get in the queue for your UA flight. A clueless woman will come up and tell you that you need to get the stamp even though you have already paid. Just tell her to shut up.
Then when you get to check in. Tell them you want your USD37 back. They will give you it back in COP most probably which you can either save for your next visit to Colombia or spend in the Britt shop on those weird magnetic pebbles
Happy travels
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
I just did this recently - exiting CLO, on a UA award, flying CM metal. With Colombia Resident Exit Tax itemized on my e-ticket receipt. In spite of the fact it was 4am, the CM agent was very efficient - told me I was due a tax refund and fetched the 70k COP from a drawer somewhere.
JohnnyC is right in that this is great, but there's nowhere of good value to spend it at the point where you are given it...just Britt ripoff. I don't think there's a better option at that point.
It could be worse, anyway, because in the several years I've flown one-way UA awards out of CO, this was the first time I received my taxes back...and not thanks to UA either but to CM.
JohnnyC is right in that this is great, but there's nowhere of good value to spend it at the point where you are given it...just Britt ripoff. I don't think there's a better option at that point.
It could be worse, anyway, because in the several years I've flown one-way UA awards out of CO, this was the first time I received my taxes back...and not thanks to UA either but to CM.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
I once flew in on AV, then AV stranded me at my connection in BOG and wouldn't pay for a hotel. I didn't want to pay for a hotel, and I really needed to get back, so I booked an award flight out on Copa.
UA, not knowing how long I had been in Colombia, charged me the exit tax, and I didn't know I could get a refund at the counter. I just figured I'd settle it with UA later. That was a bad idea. I sent them proof of my stamp, and they said it was correct to charge me the $37. It wasn't, but I chose not to fight this battle. It won't happen again, however.
For those new to Colombian travel, you can stay in the country up to 6 months without a visa. I believe that they give you 90 days before you have to pay the exit tax, but I'm not certain. I'll ask next week while I am there.
The best bet is to book and fly RT on the same airline in and out. That way their computers know how long you have been there, and they'll leave it up to to you to pay the tax if you overstay your itinerary by enough to owe the tax. They will NOT board you without an exemption or paid stamp, however, so don't even think about trying to scam the system. If anyone gets scammed, it's always us - the pax.
UA, not knowing how long I had been in Colombia, charged me the exit tax, and I didn't know I could get a refund at the counter. I just figured I'd settle it with UA later. That was a bad idea. I sent them proof of my stamp, and they said it was correct to charge me the $37. It wasn't, but I chose not to fight this battle. It won't happen again, however.
For those new to Colombian travel, you can stay in the country up to 6 months without a visa. I believe that they give you 90 days before you have to pay the exit tax, but I'm not certain. I'll ask next week while I am there.
The best bet is to book and fly RT on the same airline in and out. That way their computers know how long you have been there, and they'll leave it up to to you to pay the tax if you overstay your itinerary by enough to owe the tax. They will NOT board you without an exemption or paid stamp, however, so don't even think about trying to scam the system. If anyone gets scammed, it's always us - the pax.
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,624
You could of course change it back to USD at the bureau de change if you really don't want to go back to Colombia, really don't want the Britt shop magnetic pebbles and don't mind taking a couple of % points hit on the rate
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
But JohnnyC...pray tell, who is this person, who "really doesn't want to go back to Colombia"?
An interesting story... one of my grads was on Fulbright in Colombia. She attended an event for Lat Am scholars. She said, all those who'd spent their time in UIO, GYE, PTY and other places were feeling enriched by their visits but definitely felt ready to go home.... meantime, those on placement in Colombia - PEI, MDE, CLO, CTG, LET - were planning how to stay, or at least, to return ASAP.
As for me, no time like the present. My coffee stock including Aguila Roja - harvested from CLO just last month, all three checked bags on CM - has taken a huge hit with gifts to relatives and friends... last year, the equivalent stock lasted ten months, but this time, it won't make it that far. Time to stop my January LIM-TUS trip over in CO again...
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,227
If you are in Colombia for less than 60 days then go to the Aronautica Civil Exencin de Impuestos office and get a little stamp in your passport. The office is opposite the check in desks.
Next get in the queue for your UA flight. A clueless woman will come up and tell you that you need to get the stamp even though you have already paid. Just tell her to shut up.
Then when you get to check in. Tell them you want your USD37 back. They will give you it back in COP most probably which you can either save for your next visit to Colombia or spend in the Britt shop on those weird magnetic pebbles
Not me
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PBI / JFK, ISP, LGA
Programs: AA, AS, AV, B6, DL, F9, WN
Posts: 866
I once flew in on AV, then AV stranded me at my connection in BOG and wouldn't pay for a hotel. I didn't want to pay for a hotel, and I really needed to get back, so I booked an award flight out on Copa.
UA, not knowing how long I had been in Colombia, charged me the exit tax, and I didn't know I could get a refund at the counter. I just figured I'd settle it with UA later. That was a bad idea. I sent them proof of my stamp, and they said it was correct to charge me the $37. It wasn't, but I chose not to fight this battle. It won't happen again, however.
For those new to Colombian travel, you can stay in the country up to 6 months without a visa. I believe that they give you 90 days before you have to pay the exit tax, but I'm not certain. I'll ask next week while I am there.
The best bet is to book and fly RT on the same airline in and out. That way their computers know how long you have been there, and they'll leave it up to to you to pay the tax if you overstay your itinerary by enough to owe the tax. They will NOT board you without an exemption or paid stamp, however, so don't even think about trying to scam the system. If anyone gets scammed, it's always us - the pax.
UA, not knowing how long I had been in Colombia, charged me the exit tax, and I didn't know I could get a refund at the counter. I just figured I'd settle it with UA later. That was a bad idea. I sent them proof of my stamp, and they said it was correct to charge me the $37. It wasn't, but I chose not to fight this battle. It won't happen again, however.
For those new to Colombian travel, you can stay in the country up to 6 months without a visa. I believe that they give you 90 days before you have to pay the exit tax, but I'm not certain. I'll ask next week while I am there.
The best bet is to book and fly RT on the same airline in and out. That way their computers know how long you have been there, and they'll leave it up to to you to pay the tax if you overstay your itinerary by enough to owe the tax. They will NOT board you without an exemption or paid stamp, however, so don't even think about trying to scam the system. If anyone gets scammed, it's always us - the pax.
I am about to book an April 2014 AV RT flight to PEI via BOG from JFK with US DM miles. US tells me that all taxes will be included in my ticket price. AV says they are not sure if the tax will be included. Will I or will I not need to pay it or get the stamp? I will be in Colombia for 10 days. Sorry if I sound dumb but I am still a little confused.
Thanks
#9
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Posts: 4,624
I am about to book an April 2014 AV RT flight to PEI via BOG from JFK with US DM miles. US tells me that all taxes will be included in my ticket price. AV says they are not sure if the tax will be included. Will I or will I not need to pay it or get the stamp? I will be in Colombia for 10 days. Sorry if I sound dumb but I am still a little confused.
Thanks
Thanks
Enjoy Pereira
#10
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PBI / JFK, ISP, LGA
Programs: AA, AS, AV, B6, DL, F9, WN
Posts: 866
Thanks Johnny. One other question. When I get the stamp will they charge me for it? Then will I be able to get it refunded at Check-in? I will make sure I have the $37 in USD and COP just in case.
#11
Ambassador: LATAM
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: PNA
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 4,624
No the stamp is to say you are exempt from taxes. You do not have to pay for it. You will not be asked to pay 37USD either
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PBI / JFK, ISP, LGA
Programs: AA, AS, AV, B6, DL, F9, WN
Posts: 866
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 101
Thanks for the replies. Just wanted to update on my OP. It went down pretty much as in Johnny's description in #2. I got the money back in COP after going back and forth a few times between check-in and the taxes office at Bogota Airport (really feels like they could optimize this process ). There is an exchange office with not-too-horrible exchange rates inside the secured area where I changed the money to USD.
The Avianca lounge was great, btw. I loved it!
The Avianca lounge was great, btw. I loved it!
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Well, it's not really that bad. Next time, go straight to the tax office before checking in. They will stamp your passport and give you the paper, and then you go through check in. Unfortunately, first-time travelers usually go to the airline first, and thus the back-and-forth (I think it took me two or three trips before I figured that out).
#15
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: MDE
Programs: AA EP, CM PP, AV GM, UA Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,002
Well, it's not really that bad. Next time, go straight to the tax office before checking in. They will stamp your passport and give you the paper, and then you go through check in. Unfortunately, first-time travelers usually go to the airline first, and thus the back-and-forth (I think it took me two or three trips before I figured that out).
I wasn't so lucky when they came up with the law that I had to have a yellow fever vaccination to return to Costa Rica from Colombia. The TA told me about it as I was trying to check in to come home. Problem is, you can't just get the shot and fly. It takes ten days for the vaccine to take. Fortunately, a guy who ran the baggage wrapper at Eldorado must have been a doctor, as he got me a vaccine verification in about 10 minutes for only $200 US. It's hell being so easily identifiable as a Gringo. But I did fly that day.