Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism issued three decrees on 2 September extending for six months the temporary increase in the most-favoured-nation duty rates for certain textiles, apparel and footwear that entered into force in September 2008. The MFN duty rate on a range of knitted and woven clothing was increased from 20 to 40 percent, the duty rate on certain textiles was increased from 15-20 to 35 percent, and the duty rate on footwear was increased from 20 to 35 or 40 percent in instances where the FOB price for the specific good is lower than a specific reference value. The increased duties on textiles and apparel do not apply to imports from free trade agreement partners or merchandise that is currently subject to antidumping duties. In addition, the increased duties on textiles do not apply to goods that are not produced in Colombia.

The higher duties, which are seemingly targeted at mainland Chinese merchandise, were originally scheduled to be in place only for one year.

In a separate action, the ministry has issued three decrees that provide duty-free treatment through 31 December 2009 to a range of products that are not made in Colombia, namely: (1) 157 textile inputs classified in Chapters 50 through 56, 58 through 60 and 63; (2) 195 industrial inputs classified in Chapters 25, 26, 31, 44, 72, 73, 76 and 79; and (3) 1,275 industrial inputs classified in Chapters 25 through 30, 32 through 43, 45, 47, 48, 67 though 71, 74, 75, 78, 80 through 92, and 94.