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The twenty imports Colombia is best placed to replace.

Colombia imported USD 52bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 14bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 4.3bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
311products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
483products Colombia already exports well
864product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Colombia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Colombia would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Colombia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Undenatured ethyl alcohol: of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. or higherHS 220710

    Comes fromUnited States 77%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthLiqueurs and cordials (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 4m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 232m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 110m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); United States supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 110mup 145% on 2022
  2. 2

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromUnited States 71%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding (exports USD 60m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 665k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 886m, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); United States supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 886mdown 35% on 2022
  3. 3

    Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmHS 740811

    Comes fromPeru 62%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCopper: waste and scrap (exports USD 387m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 283m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Peru supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 283mdown 4% on 2022
  4. 4

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or moreHS 390120

    Comes fromUnited States 70%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl... (exports USD 314m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 371m
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 241m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); United States supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 241mdown 28% on 2022
  5. 5

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromRussia 47%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 30m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 75m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 225m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Russia supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 225mdown 33% on 2022
  6. 6

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromMexico 53%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMargarine: excluding liquid margarine
    Exports of this lineUSD 377k
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 126m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Mexico supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 126mup 3% on 2022
  7. 7

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of...HS 721391

    Comes fromChina 67%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-nickel (exports USD 561m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 633k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 119m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 23 per cent (2); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 119mdown 14% on 2022
  8. 8

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording...HS 852872

    Comes fromMexico 78%, 26 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical transformers: liquid dielectric, having a power handling... (exports USD 180m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 15m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 104m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 405m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 405mdown 14% on 2022
  9. 9

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromUnited States 26%, 52 source countries
    Nearest export strengthExtracts, essences and concentrates: of coffee, and preparations... (exports USD 345m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 121m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 25m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 303m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3).

    USD 303mup 3% on 2022
  10. 10

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000ccHS 870321

    Comes fromBrazil 79%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons... (exports USD 143m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 9 more lines in the heading, USD 2.7bn
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 226m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 226mdown 13% on 2022
  11. 11

    Acyclic hydrocarbons: unsaturated, propene (propylene)HS 290122

    Comes fromUnited States 88%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAcids: carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other... (exports USD 46m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1k
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 213m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); United States supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 213mdown 43% on 2022
  12. 12

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120

    Comes fromChina 66%, 31 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on aircraft (exports USD 6m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 56m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 405m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 202m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1); China supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 202mdown 22% on 2022
  13. 13

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Comes fromChina 79%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl... (exports USD 314m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 13m; 5 more lines in the heading, USD 142m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 185m, top 4 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); China supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 185mdown 44% on 2022
  14. 14

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: potassic, potassium chlorideHS 310420

    Comes fromCanada 61%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing... (exports USD 30m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 39m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 165m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); Canada supplies 61 per cent (2).

    USD 165mdown 50% on 2022
  15. 15

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plasticsHS 721070

    Comes fromChina 77%, 19 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-nickel (exports USD 561m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 75m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 112m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); China supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 112mup 1% on 2022
  16. 16

    Aluminium: plates, sheets and strip, thickness exceeding 0.2mm, alloys, rectangular (including square)HS 760612

    Comes fromChina 64%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: structures (excluding prefabricated buildings of heading... (exports USD 590m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 474k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 42m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 109m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 109mdown 20% on 2022
  17. 17

    Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feedingHS 230910

    Comes fromUnited States 43%, 23 source countries
    Nearest export strengthDog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding (exports USD 60m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 23m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 107m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 17 per cent (2); United States supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 107mup 1% on 2022
  18. 18

    Wafer board and similar board of wood n.e.c. in item no. 4410.1, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other...HS 441019

    Comes fromEcuador 99%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 147k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 70m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 100m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); Ecuador supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 100mdown 26% on 2022
  19. 19

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 67%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel: tube or pipe fittings, threaded elbows, bends and... (exports USD 161m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 28m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 67m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 83mdown 22% on 2022
  20. 20

    Paper and paperboard: coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and...HS 481159

    Comes fromBrazil 69%, 29 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: self-adhesive, in rolls or sheets, other than... (exports USD 74m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 70m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 72m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Colombia's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 72mdown 9% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Colombia already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Washing machines: household or laundry-type, of a dry linen capacity exceeding... imports USD 175m, exports USD 23m, top source Thailand 39%
  • Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feeding imports USD 138m, exports USD 60m, top source United States 32%
  • Chassis: fitted with engines, for the motor vehicles of heading no. 8701 to 8705 imports USD 83m, exports USD 11m, top source Brazil 59%
  • Odoriferous substances and mixtures: used as raw materials in industries other... imports USD 110m, exports USD 44m, top source United States 29%
  • Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements... imports USD 84m, exports USD 30m, top source Russia 33%
  • Acids: carboxylic acids, with additional oxygen function (not alcohol, phenol... imports USD 54m, exports USD 13m, top source China 64%
  • Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the... imports USD 63m, exports USD 22m, top source China 54%
  • Insecticides: other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2... imports USD 161m, exports USD 121m, top source United States 28%
  • Plastics: builders' ware, n.e.c. or included in heading no. 3925 imports USD 66m, exports USD 28m, top source China 79%
  • Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than... imports USD 139m, exports USD 102m, top source China 66%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 864 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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