One notable aspect of this bill is its proposal to incorporate artificial intelligence and big data tools into the detection of suspicious transactions.
Colombia’s government has submitted Bill 312 of 2025 to the General Secretariat of the Colombian Senate on 30 October 2025.
The bill seeks to update and streamline the customs sanctions regime by redefining infractions as grave, serious, or minor, and pairing them with clearer penalties ranging from fines to the cancellation of authorisations. It also aims to strengthen legal certainty and due process, notably by eliminating measures such as provisional suspensions and by tightening procedural rules governing the seizure and confiscation of goods.
One of the most notable aspects of this bill is its proposal to incorporate artificial intelligence and big data tools into the detection of suspicious transactions, which has raised concerns among stakeholders. Many argue that the draft still contains vague language surrounding certain infractions and grants DIAN broader sanctioning powers without fully resolving issues of clarity and legal balance.
The legislative process has included significant participation from the private sector, with industry groups submitting detailed comments and recommendations.
The legislation, backed by the tax and customs authority (DIAN), marks a significant step in the ongoing modernisation of the country’s customs framework. The proposal has drawn considerable attention from businesses, trade associations, and academia because it introduces substantial reforms to sanctions, procedures, and guarantees that directly affect foreign trade operators.
