CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Don't miss your commercial registry renewal in Colombia
Traders must renew their commercial registration at the chamber of commerce in the first three months of each year, by 31 March (Article 33 of Colombia's Commercial Code). Late renewal is sanctioned by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce, and companies five years in arrears are dissolved (Ley 1727 de 2014).
Every trader must register in the commercial registry (Article 19 of Colombia's Commercial Code). The commercial registry records the registration (matrícula) of traders and business establishments, and it is kept by the chambers of commerce (Articles 26 and 27).
The registration is renewed every year, within the first three months of the year. The registered party must inform the chamber of commerce if it ceases to be a trader, changes its domicile or makes other changes to its business; the same applies to branches, business establishments and other acts and documents subject to registration (Article 33).
Ley 1727 de 2014 penalises late renewal and requires the chambers of commerce to clean up the Single Business and Social Register (RUES) every year, removing those who have not renewed for five years (Articles 30 and 31).
At a glance
| Frequency | Annual (Article 33 of the Commercial Code) |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Within the first three months of each year, i.e. by 31 March (Article 33) |
| Where | At the chamber of commerce, which keeps the commercial registry (Article 27) |
| Who | The registered trader (Articles 19 and 33) |
| Late renewal | Sanctions under Article 37 of the Commercial Code, imposed by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Article 30 of Ley 1727 de 2014) |
| Five years without renewal | Companies: dissolved and in liquidation; individuals, establishments, branches and agencies: registration cancelled (Article 31 of Ley 1727) |
Who is responsible?
The trader: it must register in the commercial registry (Article 19(1) of the Commercial Code) and renew the registration every year (Article 33). The chambers of commerce keep the registry, and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce sets how entries are made and issues instructions to improve it (Article 27).
If the deadline passes
A trader that does not renew on time is subject to the sanctions in Article 37 of the Commercial Code, imposed by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce; within a month of the deadline, the chambers of commerce must send the list of traders that failed to renew (Article 30 of Ley 1727 de 2014). Companies and other legal entities that have not renewed in the last five years are dissolved and placed in liquidation, and the registration of individuals, business establishments, branches and agencies in the same position is cancelled (Article 31).
One fixed date for everyone
The renewal deadline does not depend on when you first registered: it is the same for everyone, within the first three months of each year (Article 33 of the Commercial Code). That is why we suggest recording 31 March as the expiry date.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each company, branch or business establishment as a record and enter 31 March of the following year as the expiry date.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day, so the first one arrives at the end of January.
- Whoever handles the renewal can upload the chamber of commerce certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; then move the date on to 31 March of the next year.
- Assign a responsible person, such as your accountant or legal team; if 31 March passes without renewal, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the commercial registration renewed?
- Every year, within the first three months: the deadline is 31 March (Article 33 of the Commercial Code).
- What if I renew late?
- You are subject to the sanctions in Article 37 of the Commercial Code, imposed by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (Article 30 of Ley 1727 de 2014).
- What if a company stops renewing for several years?
- If it has not renewed in the last five years, it is dissolved and placed in liquidation (Article 31(1) of Ley 1727 de 2014).
- What about business establishments that do not renew?
- If a business establishment, branch or agency has not renewed in the last five years, its registration is cancelled (Article 31(2) of Ley 1727 de 2014).
Sources
- Decreto 410 de 1971, Commercial Code, Articles 19, 26, 27, 33 and 37 (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
- Ley 1727 de 2014, Articles 30 and 31 (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
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Reminders on time
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