relative file path for layout
Skip to main content  Skip to search  Skip to main menu
Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 415/4

2 October 2007

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 363/2007

Colombia : Labelling Requirements for Apparel and Textiles Made-up Articles

The Colombian Government published technical regulations on 29 June 2007 to set out its new labelling requirements for apparel and textiles made-up articles. The new requirements will enter into effect six months after the date of its publication, i.e. from 30 December 2007.

DETAILS

  1. The Colombian Government has issued technical regulations to set forth detailed requirements on the content and placement of labels that must be borne by apparel and textiles made-ups, as well as the technical standards on care labelling. The new technical regulations are applicable to both domestically manufactured and imported goods classified in the Colombian Customs Tariff Chapters 61 (knitted or crocheted apparel), 62 (woven apparel), 63 (made-up textile articles for the household), as well as products classified under Tariff Heading 4203 (leather apparel). 
     

  2. According to the new requirements, apparel and textiles made-up articles must bear one or more labels that are permanent, legible, written in durable letters and located in a visible or easily accessible position. Apparel put up for sale in pairs must have a label on at least one of the items, while "ensembles" comprising two or more items must have a label on every item. For certain articles which by their nature, delicateness or size would be negatively affected in terms of their use, appearance and value (e.g. pantyhose, socks, elastic headbands and other articles for hair, wristbands, neckties, disposable apparel, reversible apparel, small articles of apparel such as swimwear or underwear, etc.), labels must appear on the packaging. The labels must include in Spanish the information on the country of origin; name of manufacturer and/or importer; care and maintenance instructions; and fibre content of the article and/or its linings. Articles with apparent defects must bear on the same or a separate label indications of the imperfection to inform consumers. In addition, the apparel size must be indicated in Spanish in accordance with the International System (IS) of units, notwithstanding the fact that they may also be present in another language or units of measurement. For textiles made-up articles, the measurement of dimension/size/shape must be presented in accordance with the IS but may also be present in other units of measurement. Labels of imported apparel and textiles made-up articles must also include the importer code authorized by the Colombian taxation and customs authority (Direccion de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales). 
     

  3. Articles that are exempted from the labeling requirement include:

  • samples of no commercial value (up to five items under the same reference code or up to an FOB value of US$1,000);

  • advertising materials (up to five items under the same reference code or up to an FOB value of US$1,000);

  • gifts;

  • personal effects or luggage;

  • certain postal shipments; and

  • items for use by the Armed Force and Police.

  1. The technical regulations will take effect from 30 December 2007. Apparel and textiles made-up articles invoiced and shipped to Colombia before the effective date can be exempted from the new requirement. From 25 May 2008, all goods covered by the technical regulations which are marketed in Colombia must comply with the relevant labelling requirements.
     

  2. As the new Colombian labeling requirements are quite detailed and technical, traders are strongly recommended to seek clarifications with their importers in order to comply with the necessary requirements. Full text of the Colombian Resolution, including the technical standards on care labelling, can be downloaded from the following website: 
    http://www.mincomercio.gov.co/eContent/Documentos/Normatividad/
    resoluciones/2007/Resolucion-1264-2007.pdf.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.

Yours faithfully,




(Miss WONG Ying)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry