Colombia's Ministry of Commerce published a draft decree to raise import tariffs on vehicles and motorcycles powered by gasoline or diesel engines, aiming to promote clean technologies and bolster the national industry. The proposal sets 40% for cars and 35% for motorcycles, but guilds like Asopartes and Andemos warn it will raise prices and halt the sector's recovery in 2025.
On November 11, 2025, Colombia's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism published a draft decree for comments to amend the National Customs Tariff. The proposal raises tariffs to 40% on imports of vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines, classified under heading 8703 with 13 subheadings, and to 35% for motorcycles under heading 8711. This measure, recommended by the Committee on Customs, Tariff and Foreign Trade Affairs, would take effect after a minimum of 15 days from publication.
The government argues the change will boost the transition to clean energies, aligning with the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and the 2050 carbon neutrality goal. It notes that 95.9% of Colombia's energy demand relies on fossil fuels, and the transport sector is key to reducing greenhouse gases. Additionally, it aims to increase fiscal revenue, discourage polluting technologies, and promote reindustrialization, productive sophistication, and skilled employment in the national automotive industry.
However, sector guilds voice strong concerns. Carlos Andrés Pineda, president of Asopartes, stated: “Asopartes understands the need to advance toward cleaner and more sustainable mobility, but considers that this transition must be gradual, technical, and concerted with the sector. An abrupt tariff increase not only makes vehicle access more expensive but also raises operating costs for workshops, warehouses, and formal distributors that depend on this market.” The guild highlights that the industry generates over 70,000 direct jobs and contributes 2.5% to industrial GDP, and the measure could halt the sector's rebound in 2025 after years of contraction.
Andemos, meanwhile, warned of barriers to free trade. Andrés Chaves, its executive president, asserted: “The decree punishes the origin of vehicles and imposes barriers to free trade. There is no technical or economic justification for a decision that raises prices, limits supply, and affects free competition in the automotive sector.” They consider it discourages modernization of the vehicle fleet and impacts countries like Japan and China. Jaime Alberto Cabal of Fenalco called it “completely absurd,” citing historical failures of protectionism since the 1950s.
David Cubides, economist at Banco de Occidente, noted that vehicle and motorcycle sales have grown in 2025, and an adjustment could moderate this positive dynamic driven by consumption. The proposal would affect regions like Huila, the seventh department in motorcycle sales in October.
