The Colombian government published a draft decree this morning raising tariffs to 35% on 13 steel sector tariff items. Daniel Rey, director of the Colombian Chamber of Steel Producers, announced it during the Alacero Summit 2025. The measure aims to counter Chinese imports and boost local competitiveness.
During the second day of the Alacero Summit 2025 congress, Daniel Rey, executive director of the Colombian Chamber of Steel Producers, announced the publication of a draft decree raising tariffs to 35% in the steel sector. The project amends Decree 1881 of 2021, concerning customs tariffs and other provisions.
Rey stated: “I am pleased to tell you that the Colombian government published a decree for comments this morning announcing 13 tariff items that will have tariff increases due to these market distortions.” He emphasized that the draft stems from two years of joint work with the National Government, addressing Chinese imports, which he called “a strong attack from this unfair competition as well.”
Initially, 34 tariff items were requested, of which 13 achieved increases. Rey publicly thanked the government and Minister Mario Valencia, describing him as “a great ally of the sector” and calling the news “fantastic to start.”
The recommendation comes from session 385 of the Committee on Customs, Tariff, and Foreign Trade Affairs, on November 7, 2025. The committee advised imposing tariffs because “it is necessary to impose tariff measures on imported products entering the country at lower prices than those offered by the national industry, causing local production to lose competitiveness in the market.”
The affected sub-items include 7214200000, 7215501000, 7216400000, 7217100000, 7217200000, 7228700000, 7306309900, 7313001000, 7317000000, 7326200000, 7616100000, 8305200000, and 8305900000, all with a 35% levy. The measure aims to consolidate the steel market, promote national competitiveness, and create jobs.