On 17 September 2026, DIAN announced a coordinated offensive against smuggling and industrial property rights violations across the Aburrá Valley metropolitan area, encompassing Medellín and surrounding municipalities. The operation, executed with the National Police’s Intellectual Property Unit, targeted warehouses, distribution centers, and retail outlets selling counterfeit goods and smuggled merchandise. Seizures included apparel, footwear, cosmetics, and electronics infringing registered trademarks and entering without customs clearance. Legal basis includes Andean Community Decision 486 (IP Regime) and Colombian Law 1915 of 2018 (Anti-Contraband Statute).
Key Takeaways
- Integrated IP-Customs Enforcement: The operation exemplifies the convergence of customs control and intellectual property protection, treating counterfeit trade as both a fiscal crime (tax evasion) and a private rights violation.
- E-Commerce Monitoring Expansion: DIAN is extending surveillance to digital marketplaces and social media platforms where counterfeit goods are increasingly marketed, coordinating with platform operators for takedown requests.
- Private Sector Partnership: Rights holders are invited to register trademarks in DIAN’s Border Enforcement Registry (Registro de Protección Fronteriza), enabling customs officers to detain suspect shipments ex officio at ports of entry.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement