Ipiales, Colombia to Tulcan, Ecuador | Customs and Immigration

Super easy crossing we crossed on a Sunday at 10:15 and we were done in under an hour!

Report Check-In

Colombia > Ecuador 

1.5 hours crossing total on a Friday morning starting at 9AM. No COVID Protocols. Ecuador does not require SOAT/vehicle insurance, and there is no where in the country a foreigner can purchase it. We had no search of the vehicle entering Ecuador. We needed no copies and didn't pay for anything at the border. 

Process: 

-Colombia DIAN/Aduana and Immigration are in the same building that is in the center of the road. We parked on the right side of the road across from the building, just past the small parking lot, which was full. 

-Hand in TIP to DIAN. Agent scanned and stamped the TIP and returned it to us. We also got an automated email confirming it was cancelled at the same time. 

-Get stamped out at Immigration. We had to walk almost all the way to Ecuador and return to the building through a long maze of barricades. Thankfully not full of people! 

-Drive to Ecuador. Park on the right side of the road in a parking lot just after crossing bridge, before you get to the guys checking documents and fumigation.

-Go to immigration on the other side of the road. There is a set of barricades before entering a room where the migration windows are. We were given 90 days. 

-Go to Aduana for the TIP. These were windows on the outside of the building, closer to the parking lot where you parked. They needed originals of Passport, Drivers License, Title, Registration. Officer came outside, took 2 pictures of car, and checked the VIN. 
- Drive to Ecuador. Guys checked our paperwork, did not need Fumigation

Report Check-In

We did this crossing from Ecuador to Colombia, already having a prórroga for colombia and a TIP extension in Colombia. The Aduana office is open from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm on Ecuador side. I don't know about Colombia because we didn't have to apply for one. We arrived around 6:00 pm on the Ecuador side and there was a long line at immigration. We still got through in 10 minutes and were stamped out. We walked over to aduana, handed them the TIP and asked for a cancellation. We were told to go take pictures of the front of the car and the license plate. They stamped us out and told us to take a picture of it because the document stays with them. This took about 5 minutes, there was nobody in line.

Onto Colombia.

We drove to immigration and parked on the side of the road, walked up and showed them our prórroga, they stamped us in with the remaining days we had left and on we went. No checks. This took about 5 minutes.

Not once did anyone come to our vehicle or inspect anything. No health check forms for either Ecuador or Colombia, no CV-19 protocol, they didn't ask for proof of vaccination.

This was our simplest and most straightforward border crossing so far.

Report Check-In

Le passage de frontiere le plus efficace. 10 mn pour sortir de colombie et 30 mn pour rentrer en equateur. Pas besoins de payer pas de photocopies seulement besoin de recevoir un mail sur son tel en equateur !!

Report Check-In

Crossed by motorcycle from Colombia to Ecuador Sunday 2/19/2023 - arrived at 10:00 a.m. No online check-in needed. No CV19 protocol, checks or verification required. Basically no lines anywhere and was done in 1h. Ecuador TIP process sends a confirmation email and the agent asked for the confirmation number so it was good to have cell service (I tried the local WiFi but didn't seem to work) - not sure if this is a requirement or an optional verification. Irma, the customs agent was super friendly. No costs.

Report Check-In

Exiting Colombia was easy. We stamped passports at the outside Migration desks on the right of the entry doors and canceled our Colombia TIP in less than 15 minutes total. We had to do the online check-in form others mentioned to enter Ecuador. Use a '0' for the first two airline questions, and complete the rest as normal. Masks are still required to enter the Ecuador Migration building. That process was easy but getting the TIP took a long time. We arrived around 10:15am and there were a few other overlanders in front of us. There's only 1 line for everyone, both exiting and entering Ecuador. There's another line (on the right) for truckers who are transiting through Ecuador with goods but that lady doesn't help with TIPS at all. She did let the exiting overlanders turn in their TIPs though. So only wait in line on the far left, next to the bank. That's the only line that does anything. If there is more than 1 overlander waiting for a TIP, you'll have to give them your passport to 'check in' and then wait for them to call your name to actually do the TIP. There appears to be a process for this but there isn't. It's just luck. We had people check in after us who were processed way ahead of us. And we were processed before another guy who arrived before we did. We waited almost 3 hours between "check in" and starting our TIP. Once our name was called, the process to actually get the TIP went quickly. And the guy who did it was really nice. Bring your patience, and try to get there really early.
Also, if you have extra Colombian pesos, exchange them on the Colombian side. There were no money changers on the Ecuador side, and the bank doesn't change money either.

Report Check-In

This is a simple border, but we arrived at midday on aThursday and waited 5 hours to exit Colombian immigration. Luckily by the time we got across to Ecuador we still got our visa at 5.30pm and the tip by 6.30pm. There are now no requirements for covid to enter Ecuador.

Report Check-In

Prior to enter Ecuador you need to fill an online form found on google with “formulario viajero ecuador”

Report Check-In

Mostly as described by others with two changes:
Wasn’t explicitly asked for checkmig proof at the Colombian side. But I had filled it out with the wrong date so maybe they found it in their system.

On the ecuador side, instead of a salud check, I had to fill out the form here https://declaracionsalud-viajero.msp.gob.ec/ there was a guy sitting in front of migracion who told me to do this and then he scanned the resulting QR code. Was not interested in my proof of vaccination at all.

Report Check-In

Procedure nicely described by others. If you wonder whether you can take fresh food, nobody asked or even looked inside our car if we have fresh fruits, produce, alcohol or so with us (Colombia to Ecuador). So next time we would stock up in Colombia! We had very long waits Saturday at 9 am, so we are suggesting to come earlier or during the week.

Report Check-In

Note for Colombia to Ecuador:
Once you finish exiting Colombia, you can drive across the bridge and park. You will see a small building on the left of the bridge with a pink sign that says RECARGAS. Inside you will need to purchase a paper for the health requirements for $0.25. Only one paper is required per group. Then head to the white tent on the Ecuador side of the bridge and fill out the paper while you wait in line. Here is where you show your vax card and the health paper. No PCR test required with full vaccination. The women will sign off on it and you will bring the paper with you to the Ecuador immigration entry for passport stamp.

Report Check-In

Super straightforward process. All together took us 2 hours maximum with our van. No copies or whatever needed. Ofcourse only the check mig form.

Report Check-In

Entry into Ecuador from Colombia on Jan 13, 2022. Entire process was about 1 hour. No cost or copies of any documents needed. Printed PCR test was checked multiple times, but vaccination card was not.
...

Full account:

Parked alongside the DIAN office. First went into Colombian Migración. Waited for several minutes as the office was just opening at 7:30am. Multiple lines at entry for Venezuelans, Colombians, and others. There is an officer waiting at the door checking that you have completed the "CheckMig" form which can be found online (phone screenshot is accepted). Inside, waited in the directed line and stamp passport. Done.

Proceeded to DIAN office, next door, to cancel Colombian TIP if you have a foreign plated vehicle. (I did not, as I have a Colombian plated vehicle.)

Then rode across the bridge. An official will stopped me in the middle and told me to park and join a line to have my PCR test reviewed. Parked on the Ecuador side and walked back to join the line waiting on this check. Waited in line until the "doctor" arrived at 8:00am, then the test result (printed) was stamped with approval.

Walked across the remainder of the bridge and entered Migración. Waited 5 mins in line before passport was stamped to enter Ecuador. (Important: I needed to request that the '90 day' permission be written on the stamp as it is required to obtain the motorcycle TIP.)

Next, approached the Aduanas window nearby, and provided US Driving License, Passport, and vehicle title. Officer made copies of all and took a few pictures of my bike. After a few minutes wait, handed the official TIP, and was on the way!

Report Check-In

90 minutes total and I am in Ecuador.
Colombia Exit
Pre border arrivalGoogle Colombia migration and complete the checkmig form online.
As you approach the border, pass all the trucks, park on the right, just outside customs
Hand in TIP to customs
Enter immigration by showing your checkmig confirmation email, COVID negative, passport.
Passport stamped out at desk
Enter Ecuador
Drive over bridge, park on the corner on the right immediately you exit the bridge
Walk across the road, enter immigration on right hand side.
Show COVID negative
Stamp passport
Take drivers license and vehicle document to window to the right of Banco del Pacifico sign.
Check TIP carefully before signing. You retain one copy.
That's it. You are in Ecuador

Report Check-In

Crossed with my van today from Colombia to Ecuador.

Leaving Colombia: Make sure you do the check-mig application online within 24 hours of leaving (I didn't and had to download the app and fill out the online form with slow data at the border). Doors open at 8 am and you can get your exit stamp, then turn in your TIP at DIAN. They basically just take your TIP, and that's canceling it.

Drive across bridge to Ecuador immigration/aduana and park. Immigration needed a covid PCR test within 72 hours and covid vaccination card. Once passport is stamped, go to aduana (same building) and give original registration/title, driver's license and passport. They'll print out the TIP, no fee.

Smoother process than I thought it would be since the border reopened! Took about an hour in total.

Report Check-In

Exit from Ecuador and Enter Colombia.

Since pandemic so not a lot of people, less then 10mins and stamp in Colombia.

Report Check-In

We came in at a Saturday noon. Short line and the crossing of both borders from COL to ECU took 80 minutes.
For the Ecuadorian toll we didn't had to bring copies. We shoukd take 3 pictures of our rig. Back with plate, front with plate and VIN. The lady at aduana took fotos of our mobile phone pictures. Smart & quick process. No costs 😎

Report Check-In

Easy process on Colombian side, as indicated previously but we waited over 2 hrs on the Ecuadorian side before we could even speak to someone about import permit. Immigration was a breeze. All in all took us ( my wife and I with 2 motorcycles ) 3 hrs to get through the border

Report Check-In

We went from Ecuador to Colombia, late on a Sunday afternoon and spent 30 minutes on the whole process. We did make copies of passport, drivers license and vehicle title ahead in town, so we only had to get one additional copy of the Ecuadorian exit and Colombian entry stamps.

One extra thing: they require an imprint or printed photo of the VIN, but there was a security guy who helped us doing it (rub some carbon into the engraved numbers, put some tape over it and stick that on the photocopy).

No refugees in sight, actually very few people altogether. Easy border crossing.

Report Check-In

Colombia a Ecuador: primero paramos a entregar el TIP en la DIAN, luego dejamos el auto estacionado medio sobre la ruta con balizas y fuimos a hacer la salida de Colombia.
No tuvimos ningún problema de seguridad, dejamos el auto tranquilo como siempre. Bajamos y tardamos 30 minutos en hacer todo. Si, hay muchos migrantes venezolanos. Actualmente hay 1,4 millones de venezolanos en colombia, muchos buscando trabajo y futuro. Y muchos creyendo que en ecuador o peru hay mejores oportunidades. Tengan paciencia, a ustedes seguro los tratarán mejor que a los pobres hermanos venezolanos.

Lado ecuatoriano (luego de cruzar el puente): estacionamos y fuimos a hacer primero migraciones (1hs) y luego el TIP (25min)

En total 2/3 hs de cruce.

Report Check-In

Took me 2h30 arriving @13:30
Once entering Ecuador there is a small fenced parking lot that I assume is for the aduana workers. Nevertheless I talked nicely to the agent outside and he let me park in there while I did my import. Felt way more safe that leaving it outside where it was crowded with immigrants

Report Check-In

Not chaotic at all. We wait around 30min in the Colombian side for stamps on our passport. Another 20 minutes for the stamp of Ecuador and 15min for the TIP. no copies needed.

Report Check-In

Cross this border from Colombia to Ecuador on a Sunday evening, it took us 1:30 .
Still some Vénézuélien people but less than what we heard.
Anyway everything went smooth and easy.

Report Check-In

By far the mkst chaotic border we had so far coming from the south. They drown in people fleeing from Venezuela and so the place is almost uncoordinated. Be prepared to see UNHCR tents, tents from the Red Cross and bring a lot of time.
There was no separate queue for Venezuelanos, no queue for handicaped people either. Everybody has to wait in one line and it takes time. You have to get the incoming stamp for Colombia before you even have a chance to get your tip for the car. Bring copies! Took us 2 hours which was less than expected, but still chaotic. No check for whatever crossing the border to the north.

Report Check-In

Colombia to Ecuador. Whole process about 30 min.

Report Check-In

Easiest border of the trip. Took about 90 mins, really well organised. Not too many refugees now, take photos of your vin & plate for Ecuador TIP and tell the migracion officer you have a vehicle so they stamp your passport - although ours did ask us in English before we had a chance to tell her!

Report Check-In

Crossed the border (Colombia to Ecuador) at about 0640 on 21 Feb, Thursday. The entire process took about 1.5 hrs and was not stressful. On Colombian side, visit Immigration and DIAN in any order. On Ecuadorian side, go to immigration first. There were many refugees attended by the Red Cross and United Nations, but only about 6 ahead of us in the lineup at Colombian immigration.

Report Check-In

Surprisingly fast departing Ecuador into Colombia: arrived at 10:30am on a Monday, took less than 1 hr to complete (1) passport exit stamp from Ecuador, (2) return of Ecuador TIP, (3) passport entry stamp in Colombia, (4) 90-day TIP from Colombia DIAN. (We went to Exito in Ipiales for SOAT: 80,000COL for 1 month.) Far, far fewer Venezuelan migrants than in August 2018.

Report Check-In

Friday. Arrive 10:15.
Colombia migration took a while. Queue is left half of the direct queue between two huge snaking queues. Done by 11:30 ish.
Ecuador queue is round the back for tourists, still huge and slow. Guy giving out wrist bands didn't give us one then tried to send us to the back after two hours of queuing. Didn't work haha
When you get your entry stamp make sure the driver has a number of days, aduana sent us back into migration to get a number of days added to the stamp.
We took pictures of van, plate and vin when we parked. At aduana that saved us having to use her phone for more photos, she took a photo of our photo.
All in, 4.5 hours. Booorrriiiinnnnnggggg

Report Check-In

coloy side is easy, just following the previous notes. Now there are many vernaculian staying here, and the UN and policeman here help to keep everything organized, no worry, just can see a lot of people here.

Ecuador side is easy as well, go to get stamped first, and at aduana hand in the original document of passport&driver's license&vehicle title, they don't need the copies now, just take photos of them. (one thing to remind: when you at the immigration, told thr officer you traveling with a car, so they can write numbers of stay on your stamp, otherwise you will be back to ask for it, because the aduana needs the number )

Report Check-In

Wednesday, 7am. Nearly noone at the border. It took me 40 minutes to process, (without DIAN, i have a Colombian bike) colombian exit stamp 5 min - ecuadorian entry stamp 5 min - 10min in a queue to ecuadorian aduana. Then they told me i need another aduana window, with a sign "importaciones". There nice woman gave me her mobile phone and asked to make a photo of a bike's plate. Then she made photos of my passport, driving license and a matricula for the bike with the same phone. Instead of photocopies, i supposed, and after 20min i was free to enter Ecuador.

Report Check-In

Super easy. 1,5 hour for all the papers plus buying insurance and sim card. Some migrants are still present but the border works like many others. Nothing abnormal.

Report Check-In

At the moment again hundreds of Venezuelans at the boarder. Until you get “into” the migration building separate lines. Inside it was the same line (also the same to enter/exit). We had about 3 hours waiting time but also arrived at about 18:00 at the boarder. Just keep in mind that with the current refugee crisis the waiting time is hard to predict so rather Plan in some time for the crossing.

Report Check-In

we crossed the border today - 2,5 hour for all (columbia and ecuador) incl. aduana for our car. Yes, there are many refugies, but seperate lines and desks for tourists. We arrived at the border early - 7.30 am.

Report Check-In

We were exiting Colombia and entering Ecuador. There are now separate queues for Venezuelan and other foreigners, so although there was a lot of people waiting for us it was fast and smooth. They just ask for your passport and stamp it. Looks like you can go to the DIAN to hand in your permit (and this is all you have to do there, nothing more) before or after Migrations, but I think it's better to do the latter first.

Report Check-In

Crossing from Colombia to Ecuador the day after the Colombian presidential elections, we were expecting the worst. Arrived at the border a little after 5:30am and was done by 6:45am. Fastest border crossing of the trip so far, zero photocopies required, nothing to pay!

Report Check-In

Going from Ecuador to Colombia, easiest and most efficient boarder crossing ever. Took about 10 min to exit Ecuador (we had to take 3 copies of passport front page, stamp and the white paper each, because when we entered Ecuador it was apparently not recorded in the computer). Bought Soat on the bridge for 34$/month (depends on vehicle type and age) and Sim card for 5$, took 10 min. You need your vin number, motor number and cylindrag. Colombia immigration took 3 min. For TIP you need a copy of your passport front page and stamp, drivers license and vehicle title plus original passport and vehicle title. Took 10 min and nobody ever wanted to see the car.

Report Check-In

We were absolutely terrified of this border and quiet frankly disappointed by it. We arrived at 4:15am and were through by 5am. No hassles, no lines, nothing. I want my money back.

We even had a friend who arrived on the same day on his motorcycle at 9am and he got through in 1.5 hours. Apparently there are now separate lines for Venuzeulans but I am not too sure.

Anyway way, what caught us out big time was we went through the border with an empty tank know Ecuadorian petrol is much cheaper. So we got to the petrol station at 5 am and found out they only opened at 7am. It was pretty dark, cold and miserable waiting around. Then at 7am, they refused to serve us becuase we have foreign plates! And they said we had to go back into Colombia. After a long and heated debate they finally just gave us enough petrol to get past the 50km stretch from the border that has a ban on selling petrol to foreign vehicles.

Report Check-In

Colombia was 4 hours behind tons of Venezuelans on their way to Peru. 1 person working at migration.
Ecuador...about another 4 hours behind most of the same people. This time 8 people working but the computer system was super slow.
There are three offices you can get your Ecuador vehicle permit. They need a picture (from it in Ecuador) of the front with license plate and the VIN.

Report Check-In

We arrived at 1am at the Colombian border and managed to finish all the paperwork on both side (migration and car) in about 1h. So, if you want to save time: cross this border at night!

Report Check-In

Arrived at 6:15 PM on a Friday. Finished at 8:00 PM with the checkout on the Ecuadorian side and zero lineup on the Colombian side. DIAN still takes some time though with running over the street for photocopies and getting SOAT. Total time 3,5 hours.

Report Check-In

Crossed on April 24th. Situation:

Exiting Colombia: arrived at 5am. Line with ~50 Venezuelans. Total time of 1hs to get staped out.

Asked about special tourist line and got a no from the cop.
Overall, No hassle and pleasent staff.

Entering Equador: total time 40mins for stamp and TIP.
One of the best experiences crossing (warm office)

Report Check-In

April 24: steps as described below. Arrived at 4:30 on Colombian side. Handed in TIP first, 1 minute. Colombian immigration, 8 people in line, ushered to front because we have 4yo. Out in 5 minutes. Behind us, line of 25 people already forming. Ecuador migration, no line, done in 5 minutes. Ecuador TIP, done in 10 minutes (had to knock on window because they were on break). Could see vehicle repair in parking lot at all stages. Out by 5:15

Report Check-In

We have crossed 10 countries from USA and this one is the worst border. We even skipped the line because we were in a hurry, and it took us 5 hours. Crazy.
Maybe try to cross by Tufiño, nobody knows about this border cross.

Report Check-In

Just cross the border yesterday went in Colombia border at 1.30 pm it's toke me 2 hours in Colombia immigration and 4 hours in Ecuador immigration ...

Report Check-In

We arrived at Ipiales border at 9am on a Wednesday to find hundreds of people already in line. We were fast tracked because we have kids (don't worry, that comes back on us on the Ecuador side). Were stamped out, went around back to hand in our TIP (2 minutes) and drove across to Ecuador.

On Ecuador side we parked across the street by the taxis and lunch places as there was no space on the immigration/aduanna side. We waited in line with everyone else which took 2-3 hours. The line was pretty disorganised which was frustrating as people kept shoving in with anyone who would let them. Finally an official came around and made us form single file and stamped our arms with a number which we had to show to get into the part where our passports are stamped.

** At this time (or maybe always, not sure), kids under 15 must have proof of vaccinations. We made it all the way up to the passport counter and were then told our kids had to go through a vaccination screening. Typhoid seemed to be the one they were after. Our kids are vaccinated so it was fine in the end but do this first if you have kids under 15 as they give you a card saying you are ok and immigration won't stamp the passports without it. It was only for kids under 15, they didn't ask for our vaccinations.

For the car was pretty straightforward as previously described but immigration didn't write the number of days in my passport so I had to go back for that. No insurance necessary.

Whole crossing took about 4 hours, mostly waiting in line for immigration.

Report Check-In

Colombia side: We crossed the boarder at 5am. Waited for about 1.5h in line to get the stamps at the migration office. No waiting time at DIAN.
Ecuador side: approx. 1h for migration office and TIP.
There are still some refugees from Venezuela. Military told us that it was very calm today so maybe it will change again soon.

Report Check-In

Southbound: park on the right with taxis and join the queue for exit immigration. if you are old, have children, or disabled look for the special queue on the left. for us with kids (10 and 8) we still waited maybe 45 minutes and had to pester the official to let us in. one inside there’s also a special queue if you qualify. the normal queue may take 90 minutes. we arrived at 7:30 am on a thursday.

2) get exit for vehicle at dian. easy process just hand papers and wait 1 minute.

(if you have a dog see below)

3) drive across bridge, brief military/customs check but they rarely look inside vehicles. park around the back of the migration building after a left turn

4) join queue for ecuador entry stamp. again you may be able to talk yourself to the front. you could also limp and claim injury. we waited about 45 minutes with fast lane.

5) with passport stamp go to customs office for vehicle permit. this took about 30 minutes including waiting. no inspection just a photo of vin. no copies needed. no fee.

DONE drive to checkpoint to exit

DOG: on colombia side show paperwork to confused ICA officials. they will request you to go back to town and pay $18 i complained and they let me pay cash (in pesos) i’m not sure if this is normal.

go to agrocalidad office across from ecuador migration with paperwork (including exit paperwork from colombian vet and ICA)

pay $27 get papers. DONE

TOTAL TIME 4:30 (arrived at 7:30 am)

TIP: if you show any ICA paper to the guard at the back of the colombian immigration office they let you inside right away. you can then skip most of the queue. even if you just say “ICA” they may let you in and then you can do passport stamp much fast.

Report Check-In

Cross the border at the Chekpoint Chiles 20km West from the border Rumichaca!
small border, waited in total 45min. to get all stemps and the tip

Report Check-In

Boarder is packed with people most likely Venezuelanos ... same line for entry and exit of Colombia ...wait time at least 3-5 hours ... I could bypass after 3 hours as I am disabled with respective proof ... same at Ecuador entry, not as crazy but still pretty crazy

Report Check-In

As previously stated but we went thru today with a thousand or more Venezuelan refugees. A couple of tips from our experience- on the Colombian side for the exit passport stamp we went up to the front and told the police we were tourists. I think he took pity on us and let us sneak in. On the Ecuadorean side you can't get your TIP until you get stamped in but the queue circled the building. After awhile in the queue a immigration official came along looking for tourists who had never been to Ecuador. He took our passports inside and we had them back ten minutes later. Look for these guys wandering about. With this help it 'only' took us three hours.

Report Check-In

Insane border crossing!!! Thousands of people running, pushing and being pushed back „lining-up“ in a chaotic mass of people, trying to enter Columbia, while at the same time RedCross is bringing more and more refugees in trucks that want to exit Columbia. In the middle of this chaotic and sad scenery a few tourists try to cross too. We arrived at 1pm at the Ecuador border, the border to Colombia reopened at 4pm and by 11pm they organized a separate line for non-Venezuelans/tourists. Just before midnight we got our entry stamp from Immigration. 1. step achieved. 2. step get photo copies from the little shop: copy of photo page of your passport, copy of entry stamp, copy of driving license, copy of vehicle certificate 3. go to DIAN office and get your temporary car import paper sorted. They will keep the copies and walk with you to the car to take an imprint of your chassis number (with carbon paper and cellotape). 4. They do no longer sell SOAT at the border even there is a sign up. You can get it in Ipiales during office hours. DIAN did not want to see the SOAT, but stressed several times that we need to buy. We headed to Ipiales by 1:30am, more than 12h after we arrived at the border. FYI: If you are retired, pregnant or have a disability, you can approach a police man and you should get priority handling. The border offices are open 24h. Try to change some money at the exchange office on the Ecuador side, there are flying sellers on both sides, but better not trust them.

Report Check-In

PET UPDATE: Stop at ICA office right next to immigration.

Official: Hand in importation ICA form, certificado de salud from vet (within 7 days), vaccinations certificate, and bank payment receipt. They give you a new exit form. They first told me to use the ICA entry form in Ecuador, but Ecuador’s Agrocalidad office sent me back.

Unofficial: You can try to get through without bank receipt, new certificate of health (within 7 days), and Colombia ICA exit document, BUT make sure you say you’re passing in transit (“en tránsito”) hasta Peru. The latter worked for us (after a couple back-and-forths), but you run the risk we did of getting sent back to do it anyway (bank and veterinarian in Ipiales and revisit ICA for form.) Allegedly you can finish all immigration and vehicle documentation in Ecuador, and stay the night in Ipiales.

Report Check-In

At the moment thousends of venezuelans are passing this boarder. We waited for more than seven hours. But you can ask for the touristline. Maybe you are faster than.

Report Check-In

After hearing about some long lines recently due to Venezuelan migration, we got to the border at 5:30am, no lines, friendly officials. Did it check our vehicle, handed us a phone to take photos of vin. We were through both sides in exactly 1 hour. Recommended to go early or late evening.

Report Check-In

WARNING:

Lots and lots of Venezuelans crossing the border to get away from the devil called Maduro. The news say +- 3000 venezuelans crossing everyday. So be patient.

In a sunday morning/afternoon it took me almost 4 hours to enter Colombia.

There is only one line to imigracion (entering or exiting Colombia is the same line). Aduana (Dian) was very fast. It is the building behind (if you are entering Colombi) the imigración. After you exit imigracion building, there is a window with lots of overlander stickers. Go there and try to find ours 😛

I was entering Colombia and the guy from Dian (a very nice guy btw!) asked me to get copies from my passport, drivers license and document of the car. 2500 COP for the copies. And they checked the Numero de Chassi in our car. Just that, they didn’t check anything else.

Report Check-In

Very easy border crossing. From Colombia to Ecuador, you'll arrive first in front of a DIAN desk you just have to hand your TIP. Then migracion is in the other building (right line if for tourist). On the Ecuador side, you have to take the left line at the migracion and go back to the aduana where you arrived first.

The only cons : we arrived friday morning (around 10am) and there was a lot of people. It tooks us more than 3h, mostly just waiting in line.

Report Check-In

easy border crossing at 10.00 am on a sunday. No waiting, no photocopies.

Report Check-In

Easy crossing at 7:30 am on a Tuesday. Colombia immigration and turned in TIP in about 20 minutes.
Ecuadorian immigration took about 45 minutes and Aduana took about 30 minutes.
No fees and no copies required. Asked to see passport, driver's license of first name on title and title. Aduana lady came out, took pictures and checked VIN.

Report Check-In

MONEY EXCHANGE SCAM! Beware, there are people operating with manipulated calculators. According to police, you should prefer people with a blue vest saying "profesionales de cambio" on the back and a laminated photo ID, or one of the small offices. Make sure you check the calculation on your own phone. The apparent exchange rate is the same for scam- and legit operators, but it's bad... They all charge an 8% commission. Just 3km behind the border there's a town with an ATM and SOAT offices. You're probably better off there anyway.

Report Check-In

As wandersouth.com mentioned, except that we made our immigration in Ecuador and then walked direktly to the tiny glass office (exportación). Nobody wanted to see our truck. Nothing was copied, we had nothing to pay. No insurance is needed in Ecuador. 2 hours at 3pm.

Report Check-In

Super fast border crossing on the Colombia side. Stamp your Colombia exit at Immigration and walk
to the Aduanas window. No fees and no copies needed. You only have to hand over your TIP so they can cancel it in their system and off you go.

On the Ecuadorian side. Stamp your entry and then walk to the aduanas with your vehicle's title, passport, and driver's license. No copies needed and no fees either. It is better to make it there early in the morning as it can get a little busy at noon.

Report Check-In

Easy, straightforward border. We arrived at 6:30am and parked outside immigration. Gates seemed closed so we went to return TIP first. Friendly lady walked to truck to check VIN then kept the TIP and sent us on to Immigration for exit stamps. No fees. Enter Ecuador: We were directed to parking area. Immigration first, long line but straightforward. Temporary import permit office window next door. Friendly ladies but slow process! They came to truck to check VIN # but that's all. No fees. (While waiting we enjoyed coffee and baked goods from the morning vendor.) Entire process took about 1.20. No checkpoints or inspections.

Report Check-In

We did the border Ecuador-Colombia after 10 pm, it took us less than two hours, not very crowded. Waiting for someone to do our aduana took us 1 hour - don't wait at the big glassed aduana corner, ask for the "importacion" around the corner, it's faster. The colombian aduana guy was strange, but nice in the end, and didn't check the vehicle. He advised us to buy the Soat in town (Supermercado Exito, see also iOverlander) because it's cheaper.

Report Check-In

super easy border.
it took us less than 1.5 hours but we went there at 6 am. nobody there.
no queue at all. suggest you to go early in the morning.
the border doesn't close at night, others do.

Report Check-In

An hour to queue at the Ecuadorian side to get our passports stamped. V hot and stuffy. Then a further hour of chaos at the window nextdoor to get the vehicle documents sorted. Customs lady took photo of front of van, VIN no and looked inside van. This was after disappearing for some time and then examining some perfume in the office! Colombian side took 15 mins altogether and was much better organised

Report Check-In

Time: allow 4 hours. Bring snacks!

Exiting Ecuador: As we had entered ecuador at La Balsa, we needed to provide 3 copies of our entry stamp and passport photo page. There is a copier right near the door to migration who seemed very aware of this and knew exactly what to do (copies cost 70c for two people). Other then the long line (2.5 hours!) it was fine. Handed in our TIP at the window marked 'importations', which is to the right of the migration doorway. There are plenty of staff around so it's easy to ask for directions.

Entering Colombia: immigration was very quick. Aduana guy was rude but got the job done. He took about an hour. He needed a photocopy of our title, entry stamp and passport photo page. He checked if we had SOAT, but didn't ask to look at it. Needed to view our vehicle and Vin number. No checks of the actual vehicle or its contents.

Parking: We parked directly next to the migration buildings both sides to get our papers and had no trouble, despite there being a lot of people loitering about. We needed to bring our vehicle to the front of the Colombian aduana office for them to take an impression of our VIN number (they rubbed it with charcoal, and then used tape to take an impression - a bit weird in this age of cellphone cameras!), which was attached to the copies of our documents.

Report Check-In

I passed border from Colombia to Ecuador. Any copy of document were not needed.

Report Check-In

All in all, it took us six hours to cross the border and go through car importation. We went during the day and had a bit of bad luck. You might want to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. And make sure you don't get there when the person in the iduana office is at the end of his shift and the next one doesn't show up for hours :-(

Report Check-In

Lucky day! And definitely the most official crossing we've done since Mexico.

Leaving Colombia: drive past the DIAN customs building and park in the lot on the left, behind migration.
Walk to DIAN, hand the your Temp vehicle import permit (TIP). Nada mas. Go back to migration, get stamp for your passport.

Entering Ecuador, we waited in line briefly for the car inspection (punto seguro). Officers asked us to pull to the right for a car search, had a great conversation with the incredibly nice officer who never checked our car and told us exactly where to go next.

Long line for migration, waited an hour in line to have our passport stamped. No photo, no form to fill out. Easy. Exit and head past Aduana to a round glass vestibule at the end of the building, tiny little office. Answer questions so the official can register your car. He left to print our TIP, returned with a copy, no car check, sent us on our way :)

Report Check-In

Took us 2 hours for the emigration formalities on the Ecuadorian side (it's not difficult, we just spent the time waiting in queues), then, on the other side of the bridge, 1 hour to immigrate into Colombia (passport was processed in 2 minutes, the vehicle paper took longer). Following the advice by the Colombian customs officer we tried to get SOAT in town because the agencies at the border offer a USD exchange rate that's 10% below the official rate, but no luck. At 5 places the computer system only listed all the countries of the Americas plus Spain but no other nations, or it didn't list the make of our truck, or they were out of forms, or they provided insurance for 12 months only. Eventually we drove back to the border (this time with enough COPs) and bought SOAT in 10 minutes for COP 155'000 for 3 months (2998 cm3 Diesel engine, 3500 kg) at the penultimate agency driving to Ipiales, about 50m after the customs office on the right (they advertise "SOAT ORIGINAL")

Report Check-In

Free and easy for the vehicle and yourself. If you have a dog and like to do it legal and not smuggle your pet in the country (ecuador in this case) it's $26 bucks for the import permit, we had the old (3 months old) health certificate from panama, her vaccines, the ICA permit from Colombja when she entered and the one from panama when she left and that's all they wanted. It took about 1 hour but everyone was very nice... Ecuador has a ban on Gasoline for the 60km around the border so you must Pay international prices, we came in the country with an empty diesel tank and had to pay at $3.22 a gallon!!! Crazy !!

Report Check-In

Civilized yet still time consuming border crossing from Ecuador to Colombia. Beware of money changers, they have rigged calculators. Sadly there is no atm on the Colombian side.

Report Check-In

If going from Ecuador to Colombia, and you entered Ecuador at La Balza in the mountains in the south, La Balza is not linked by computer so you will need three photocopies of:
your passport photo page,
your passport entry stamp page
your entry slip

To get your TIP at the Colombian aduana (regardless of where you entered Ecuador) you need a photocopy of:
your passport photo page,
your entry visa
your vehicle registration document
your driving licence

Report Check-In

Be careful of money Changers here. the one I delt with had a tricked calculator. his calculator said 61USD but with the rate he quoted me it was supposed to be 72USD. I showed him the calculation on my phone. He showed me the calculation but his calculator added a division quickly but I noticed the extra number.

Report Check-In

Easy border crossing! Just got the exit stamp at the migration at Colombia and handed back our TIP to the DIAN. Then we drove over to Ecuador, where the military guy stopped us and told us exactly what to do and where to go :) We parked behind the migration building, went inside to get our entrance stamp from a lovely lady. Then we went to the office with the sign "importaciones". If you stand facing the migration, it's on your right. It's just a little window there. They needed the original title, driver's license and passport. Not a single copy and not a single dollar to pay on either side of this border. And it all just took a few minutes! :)

Report Check-In

Noboby crossed the border since 3 years ?! :-)
So, what's new...
Everthing is still free.
And what do you need ? Nothing ! Now, you don't have to do any copy.

First, go to immigration to have your exit's stamp on your passport. Then you can go to dian to give back your temporary vehicle import form. Then take your car and go to Equador building. All this step took us 15 min.

Now Equador side. Go to immigration to stamp your passport. Then ask for the aduana for vehicule importation. Probably should ask again and again. It's on your right when u left immigration. It's not small windows where people wait for merchandises. You had to walk 10m more, to the end of this building. This is a small circle office like a tower, with big glasses's walls. Here someone would ask you a lot of questions and scans your license, passport and vehicle permit. Then u had to go to the other side of this building, to another small office to take your new vehicle's importation form. Then go back to the first office, where people give you back your personals papers after you sign the form. They keep one and give you the second. You have to put it on the front of your car for "policia de transito no les molesta" !
Take 1h15 for us.

The easier border we've seen since Mexico...

One tips : try to save some dollars before the border and spend all your cop before. Change's rate is very worst here (on Colombian side. I haven't tried Equador side).

Report Check-In

Most polite border crossing of four (Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia). 
Direction of Travel: Ecuador to Colombia
DTG: 14 July (Sunday), 2013; 1pm
Exiting Ecuador - 20 minutes

NOTE: WHEN LEAVING ECUADOR, it is not clearly marked, and police will allow you to drive right into Colombia.  When nearing the choke point of cars and control point, park somewhere near the Ecuador exit (parking on most sides of the building).  Go straight to immigration (clearly marked)--no police involved.  Having your immigration form from entry will speed things.  After this, Aduana is located around the corner to the left as you exit the building from immigration.  Aduana will only need your form from entry.  They will confirm the plate number and keep the paper.  That's it.  Fast and easy.  It took 20 minutes due to all the weekend travelers crossing the border at immigration.  
Entering Colombia - 20 Minutes

Park in the marked area.  It's evident by all the blood-sucking money changers hounding you.  Immigration is quick.  No forms.  No police point involved.   As you're facing the immigration window, you can see Aduana to the right through the windows, but you have to walk around the building to the far right.  They will want copies of the title, passport, license, state vehicle registration, and SOAT (insurance if you have it).  If you don't have it, they will direct you to buy it in the next town and give you a business card for a 24-hour sales rep nearby.  However, I never found the place and just kept going.  At the next town (Pasto) they will not sell you policies on Sunday.  Some will offer to sell you a full year, even if you need three months or less.  Short policies can only be issued during the work week.  I just got fed up and never got insurance.  Was stopped twice in Colombia.  Neither checkpoint asked for any documentation.  Just curious.  

Anyway, Aduana will not make copies for you.  If you need some, you can walk back pass immigration to all the photocopy businesses on the left when walking back toward Ecuador.  $.10 per copy.  
Aduana is fast and friendly.  Will take pictures of the vehicle and VIN plate, and you're off.  I found this to be the most friendly border (Colombia) but also most confusing.
No fees.

Report Check-In

Border Crossing: Colombia / Ecuador on October 8th, 2013 | Posted at  http://www.vangabonds.com/border-crossing-colombia-ecuador/

We cross borders by land in a CR-V with US passports and our two dogs. We do not carry drugs or weapons or disallowed fruit (usually).

When, Where, and Which Direction: October 5, 2013 – Ipiales, Colombia > Tulcán, Ecuador at Rumichaca

What We Needed:
Colombian Auto Import Permit,Passports (and 1 copy of driver’s passport),1 copy of driver’s license,1 copy of vehicle registration,1 copy of vehicle title,1 copy of driver’s entrance stamp to Ecuador,and 1 copy of each dog’s vaccination records.The Process: The main road leading to the border flows cleanly and directly into the border crossing area (see photo below). Most of the cars cruise straight through and park in a lot on the far side of the buildings, but there is a parking lot on the right directly after the DIAN “Come Back Soon” sign that is available for those needing to cancel an auto import permit and is also much less cumbersome than the other. Park there and go to the well-marked DIAN building across the street with your Colombian auto import permit. Tell the person at the window that you have a vehicle from _________ (fill in the blank with your country) and that you need to cancel your permit as you are leaving for Ecuador. They may invite you inside while they quickly process the exit and supply you with a new form indicating the cancellation of the permit. Then go to the next building over which houses migración. From the lot near DIAN, you will need to walk around to the far side of the building in order to get in line at one of the windows processing passports. After a couple of brief questions, an agent stamps the passport and you’re officially out of Colombia.

Get back in your car and follow the line of cars to the Ecuadorian side. There may be a parking lot to stop in, but we didn’t notice it and so just kept right along, which seemed to be a fine way to proceed. A few military men near an aduana sign will ask you to pull over to process dogs and auto importation. The man telling you what is needed will track down another man with a clipboard to handle the dogs first. This process was so quick and painless that we’re not even sure what agency the man with the clipboard represented. He simply asked for our documents, and after a quick scan of their vaccination records asked to look at the dogs themselves. Another quick glance, and he was satisfied.

Migración and aduana are both right next to the spot where the aduana and/or military men are. Inside of the migración office, a man near the door is handing out forms asking for basic information. Fill this out and then approach the windows to answer a question or two before having your passport stamped. Exit the migración building and turn right to go to an area with a few small shops where you can get a copy of the driver’s entrance stamp for 500 pesos ($.25 USD) or $.60 USD. Then return, going past the migración office to the aduana window. Give the person on the other side a copy of the driver’s passport, a copy of the driver’s entrance stamp to Ecuador, a copy of the driver’s license, a copy of the vehicle registration, and a copy of the vehicle title. The sign on the window says that a copy of insurance is also required, but when we asked where we could buy it, the agent said that we could do it whenever we stopped driving and that he didn’t need a copy. One aduana staff member will then walk to the car with you to take a photo of your license plate and your VIN under the hood. Then, back in the office, the permit is processed and a single form is provided as proof. We were told that we would need this when we exited the country. Enjoy the beautiful countryside as you drive off into Ecuador.

Costs: None! Well, okay, $.25 USD for a copy of the entrance stamp, but other than that, no fees to leave Colombia, no fees to enter Ecuador, no fees for an import permit, and no fees for dogs. Cheapest crossing since Canada!

Dogs: We didn’t prepare any paperwork for this crossing for no reason other than that we were being lazy. In our folder of copies, the only dog related documents left after the crossing into Colombia were single copies of each dog’s vaccination records, and even they were technically attached to the ICA import form. We decided to try our luck though, and it turned out just fine. The man who came to ask about the dogs was very nice and seemed satisfied with our paperwork. He gave the dogs a once over from outside of the car and then said, “Alright, they can come in, no problem!” No joke. Just like that. I mean, it was in Spanish, but that was the extent of it. Slightly fewer steps than our experience last month.

Our Experience: Due to character limits, this section is available at  http://www.vangabonds.com/border-crossing-colombia-ecuador/ .

Report Check-In

This post is from Logan and Brianna of  PanAm Notes http://www.panamnotes.com/ . To read their full experience and see photos, see the detailed article at:  http://panamnotes.com/how-to/colombia-ecuador-border-crossing/
Exiting Colombia at Ipiales

Remember: No necisita ayuda. Por favor, dejame in paz, no voy a pagar. Vaya!
Zero fees on both sides
There is a large parking area to the left, past both DIAN and Colombian immigration.Cancel your Colombian vehicle permit at the DIAN office. An official will take your permit and send you on your way.Return your Colombian vehicle permit here
Receive an exit stamp at the migration office across from DIAN. If you see a bus pulling in, get this stamp first to avoid the long wait.Colombia Immigration
There are zero fees to exit Colombia.Entering Ecuador
Remember: No necisita ayuda. Por favor, dejame in paz, no voy a pagar. Vaya!
Zero fees on both sides
Park your vehicle past the “Point of Control” checkpoint and in front of the “Das Rumichaca” office.Obtain your Ecuador vehicle permit at this office
Backtrack to the center of this same building to receive your entry stamp at immigration. We have read there is no need to fill out the Andean migration form but it was required for us.Ecuador Immigration
Head back to the office where you parked your vehicle. The official will check your VIN and request one copy (plus verify originals) of your title, driver’s license, and passport.There are zero fees to enter Ecuador.Ecuador uses the United States dollar.

Report Check-In

This post is from  Life Remotely. To read their full experience and see photos, see the detailed article at http://liferemotely.com/trip-shenanigans/ecuador/231-colombia-to-ecuador-border-crossing

Border name: Rumichaca
Closest major cities: Ipiales, Colombia and Tulcan, Ecuador
Cost for Visas: $0
Cost for vehicle: $0
Total time: 3 hours
Date crossed: Friday August 3, 2012

Drive past the customs (DIAN) office and the immigration office to the giant parking lot. Park here.Go to the DIAN office and turn in your temporary permit. No stamps, no copies, just give the paper to the nice official.Go to the immigration window. Have your passports stamped for exit.Drive to Ecuador.Go through a military checkpoint, aduana (customs) and immigration are on your left, but the parking is probably closed off. Drive around to the back of the building and park there.Go to immigration and get your passport imprinted with a dot matrix printer. Be prepared for a long wait. we were in line for two hours.Go to the aduana office on the corner of the building.Hand in your title, the drivers passport and a copy of each.They will give you a vehicle permit in return.Drive to the nearest gas station and fill up on $1.50/ gallon gas. Woohoo!Note: SOAT (Vehicle liability insurance) is NOT required for foreign vehicles. We did not buy it at the border and were never asked for it at police checkpoints.

Report Check-In