> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://invopop-link-fix.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Colombia FAQ

> Frequently asked questions about invoicing compliance in Colombia

### Compliance questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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 [DIAN Colombia app](/apps/dian-colombia).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Invoicing questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My GOBL document for a Colombian invoice fails to build because of the postal code">
    The DIAN requires a [Municipal Code](https://www.dian.gov.co/atencionciudadano/formulariosinstructivos/Formularios/2007/Codigos_municipios_2007.pdf) rather than a postal code to specify the municipality of the supplier. Make sure you are setting a municipal code (5 digits) and not a postal code (6 digits) in the supplier's [`co-dian-municipality`](https://docs.gobl.org/addons/co-dian-v2) extension.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How does Invopop issue invoices in Colombia?">
    Through [Plemsi](https://plemsi.com), an authorized technology provider for DIAN electronic invoicing. The [DIAN Colombia workflow](/guides/co-dian) signs the GOBL envelope, sends the invoice to the DIAN via Plemsi, receives the CUFE, and generates a compliant PDF with the DIAN QR code.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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`](https://docs.gobl.org/addons/co-dian-v2) extension in each party's `ext`. See the [GOBL Colombia tax regime](https://github.com/invopop/gobl/blob/main/regimes/co/README.md) for the full field reference and examples.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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 are supported by the [GOBL Colombia tax regime](https://docs.gobl.org/regimes/co#tax-categories).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I issue credit notes through Invopop in Colombia?">
    Yes. The same DIAN Colombia workflow handles invoices and credit notes when configured with a dynamic sequential code, so each document type draws from its own authorized numbering range.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are the sandbox limitations for Colombia?">
    Plemsi's sandbox has a single enabled supplier (tax code `9015852843`) and one series per document type: `SETT` for invoices and `NCTT` for credit notes. The series are shared across users, so we assign you a specific number range to avoid collisions. Contact us via Slack or [support@invopop.com](mailto:support@invopop.com) to enable the sandbox in your workspace.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Registering supplier questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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), authorize Plemsi as their technology provider in the DIAN, and hold a valid billing numbering range authorization. The [supplier registration guide](/guides/co-dian-supplier) walks through each step.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I register a supplier for Colombia?">
    The supplier's legal representative authorizes Plemsi in the DIAN, requests a billing numbering range authorization (the DIAN issues a form 1876), and associates that resolution with Plemsi. Then contact us via Slack or [support@invopop.com](mailto:support@invopop.com) with the supplier's company details so we can create and configure the Plemsi account. See the [supplier registration guide](/guides/co-dian-supplier) for the full checklist.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the billing numbering range authorization expire?">
    Yes. DIAN numbering range authorizations have both a number limit and an expiration date. When one runs out, the supplier's legal representative must file a renewal ("Solicitud de Habilitación de Numeración de Facturación") with the DIAN and associate the new resolution with Plemsi.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need my own Plemsi account?">
    No. You can use Invopop's Plemsi billing account, or create your own and provide your credentials. In either case, contact us to configure the account — Plemsi account setup for Invopop suppliers is done by our team.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to register suppliers in the sandbox?">
    No. The Plemsi sandbox has a single pre-registered supplier with tax code `9015852843`, which all test invoices must use. Supplier registration only applies to the live environment.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

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