Compliance questions
Who must issue electronic invoices in Colombia?
Who must issue electronic invoices in Colombia?
All businesses selling goods or services in Colombia. The FEV (Factura Electrónica de Venta) has been mandatory for B2B and B2G invoices since 2020, and since 2024 B2C transactions must be documented with the Documento Equivalente Electrónico, bringing retail and point-of-sale receipts under the electronic system as well.
What format does the DIAN require for electronic invoices?
What format does the DIAN require for electronic invoices?
OASIS UBL 2.1 following the DIAN schema. Colombia operates a clearance model (continuous transaction control): each invoice is digitally signed, submitted to the DIAN, and validated in real time. On validation, the invoice receives a CUFE (Código Único de Factura Electrónica) that makes it legally valid.
Do I need to report invoices to the DIAN separately?
Do I need to report invoices to the DIAN separately?
No. E-reporting is fully integrated into the FEV clearance flow — an invoice is reported to the tax authority at the moment the DIAN validates it. There are no separate periodic invoice submissions.
How long must invoices be archived in Colombia?
How long must invoices be archived in Colombia?
A minimum of five years, counted from January 1 of the year following issuance or receipt. The obligation applies to both the issuer and the receiver, and covers the original XML, its digital signature, and the DIAN validation response.
What is RADIAN?
What is RADIAN?
RADIAN is the DIAN registry that turns validated invoices into negotiable instruments. Once the buyer accepts an invoice, it can be registered in RADIAN as a “título valor electrónico”, allowing it to be factored, used as loan collateral, or legally enforced for payment.
Does Invopop support the Documento Equivalente Electrónico (B2C)?
Does Invopop support the Documento Equivalente Electrónico (B2C)?
Not currently. For B2C transactions you can issue equivalent simplified FEV invoices instead, which are fully supported through the Colombia app.
Invoicing questions
My GOBL document for a Colombian invoice fails to build because of the postal code
My GOBL document for a Colombian invoice fails to build because of the postal code
The DIAN expects a 5-digit municipal code, not a 6-digit postal code, in the supplier’s
co-dian-municipality extension.How does Invopop issue invoices in Colombia?
How does Invopop issue invoices in Colombia?
Through Alegra, an authorized DIAN technology provider. The send workflow signs the GOBL envelope, clears it with the DIAN, stamps the CUFE and QR code, and generates a compliant PDF.
What does a GOBL invoice need to be accepted by the DIAN?
What does a GOBL invoice need to be accepted by the DIAN?
Set
$schema to https://gobl.org/draft-0/bill/invoice, the supplier’s tax_id.country to CO, and include the supplier’s and customer’s DIAN municipality codes via the co-dian-municipality extension in each party’s ext. See the GOBL Colombia tax regime for the full field reference and examples.Which taxes can appear on a Colombian invoice?
Which taxes can appear on a Colombian invoice?
VAT (IVA, 19% standard or 5% reduced), consumption taxes (IC, INC), the industry and commerce tax (ICA), and the retained taxes ReteIVA, ReteICA, and Retefuente. A single invoice may need to combine up to three value added and retained taxes, all supported by the GOBL Colombia tax regime.
Which document types can I issue in Colombia?
Which document types can I issue in Colombia?
Invoices, credit notes, and debit notes. Credit and debit notes reference the corrected invoice in the
preceding array; debit notes require every preceding entry to carry the dian-cude stamp of the original invoice.What are the sandbox limitations for Colombia?
What are the sandbox limitations for Colombia?
Only Alegra’s NIT (
9005590882) can be the supplier. Invoices use series SETP with codes 990000000–995000000 (shared across users, so avoid common codes) and today’s date in Colombia.Why was my invoice rejected for its series or number?
Why was my invoice rejected for its series or number?
The series, code, and issue date must fall within an active DIAN numbering resolution. Resolutions are refreshed automatically, so a rejection usually means it expired or ran out and the supplier needs a new one from the DIAN.
Registering supplier questions
What does a supplier need before issuing invoices in Colombia?
What does a supplier need before issuing invoices in Colombia?
The supplier must be registered with the DIAN with an active RUT (Registro Único Tributario), complete the DIAN habilitación, and hold a valid billing numbering range authorization. The supplier registration guide walks through each step.
How do I register a supplier in Colombia?
How do I register a supplier in Colombia?
Upload a GOBL party with the supplier’s name, NIT (with verification digit), and email, then run the registration workflow. It publishes an enablement portal link under
registration-link in the entry’s meta; the supplier’s legal representative completes the DIAN enablement there, and the workflow finishes once the DIAN accepts it. See the supplier registration guide.What is the DIAN habilitación?
What is the DIAN habilitación?
A one-time DIAN certification required before issuing real invoices. The supplier submits a TestSetId from the DIAN portal through the hosted portal, Alegra sends the test documents, and the supplier is enabled once the DIAN accepts them.
Do I need to register suppliers in the sandbox?
Do I need to register suppliers in the sandbox?
Yes, but only Alegra’s NIT (
9005590882) can be registered. The enablement is simulated: enter the TestSetId a70562e0-631e-4ceb-aa65-36887b57dc17 for an instant acceptance. Other outcomes are in the sandbox section of the guide.Participate in our community
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