The request for restitution must be made by the vehicle owner or the owner’s legally appointed representative through the official consulates in the country in which the vehicle was found. The request should contain:
Full name of individual or company requesting return;
Identity details, address, indication of capacity in which they are acting (as owner or appointed representative);
Description and identification of vehicle (engine No. chassis No., VIN).
The above request should be accompanied by the following documents:
Copy of vehicle registration document, ownership card or equivalent document, issued by the competent authorities and fully attesting to the ownership rights of the natural person or legal entity on whose behalf the return of the vehicle is being requested.
Copy of the official complaint lodged about the crime which gave rise to the loss of the vehicle, with confirmation from the appropriate legal authority that it was submitted. Duly authorized power of attorney, if acting as a proxy.
Certificate of existence and legal representation of the legal entity, or a similar document issued in conformity with the country’s laws, if the requesting party is a legal entity.
Certificate of existence and legal representation of the company to which ownership rights of the vehicle have been transferred, if this is the case, and a copy of the document by which the requesting party obtained the transfer of ownership rights, if this is the case.
In accordance with Colombian law, if the request for vehicle restitution has not been formalized by the interested parties within four (4) months following the date on which the communication was sent, the Colombian Tax and Customs Directorate may dispose of the vehicle in accordance with the rules in force, and no subsequent claims may be made.
The request for restitution may be submitted either by the individual concerned, or via a legally appointed representative, or via a consular or diplomatic official designated by the government concerned.
Once restitution has been ordered and the administrative decision ordering restitution has become final, the interested party has two (2) months in some cases, one (1) month in others, to collect the documents from the competent administrative department where the vehicle has been stored.
For any further information, please get in touch with our contact officer
Mr Pedro Nel Calvo,
e-mail address pcalvo@das.gov.co.
Last update: February 2007