Colombia clarifies rules for cannabis exports to Brazil via courier

The export of cannabis derivatives from Colombia to Brazil via courier services—an express freight modality—has received an official clarification from Colombia's Fundo Nacional de Estupefacientes (FNE). In a response issued on October 21, 2026, the agency stated that the restriction on the transport of controlled derivatives and controlled products via postal mail does not apply to non-controlled derivatives and non-controlled finished products.

The statement helps clarify an operational issue for companies working with medical cannabis: the possibility of using express shipments depends on the regulatory classification of the goods and compliance with the export and import requirements of both countries. The document does not grant unrestricted authorization for shipping cannabis-based products.

The response was addressed to the company Courier Brasil Express and addresses inquiries regarding the export of non-controlled derivatives and finished products, including the application of Colombia's Resolução Conjunta 539 of 2022 and the use of couriers in operations destined for the Brazilian market.

Courier and postal mail are not the same thing

One of the main points of the clarification lies in the distinction between postal mail services and courier transportation. The Colombian regulation cited by the FNE prohibits the transportation of controlled cannabis derivatives and controlled products via postal mail services.

According to the agency, this restriction does not apply to non-controlled derivatives and non-controlled finished products. Therefore, the export of these categories via urgent shipments is not barred by this specific provision.

The caveat is significant: the FNE expressly states that operations remain subject to all other requirements and procedures established under applicable law, as well as the requirements of the authorities in the destination country.

In practice, the product's classification must be confirmed before contracting transportation. The existence of a license, a conformity endorsement, or a Colombian authorization alone does not guarantee cargo clearance in Brazil.

What Brazilian regulation allows

In Brazil, the Collegiate Board Resolution (RDC) 660/2022 of the Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa) establishes criteria for the importation of cannabis-derived products by individuals, for personal use, and upon prescription by a legally qualified professional.

The rule allows importation to be carried out through the foreign trade system, accompanied baggage, or express shipment. Importation via postal mail is prohibited.

This point requires attention from companies: RDC 660/2022 addresses a specific modality of import for individual healthcare treatment. Therefore, it should not be interpreted as a general authorization for commercial importation, distribution, or resale of cannabis products in Brazil.

Business-to-business operations must be evaluated according to the product's classification, the purpose of the import, and applicable health and foreign trade regulations. For products intended for commercial distribution in the Brazilian market, it is necessary to verify the corresponding regulatory regime.

How cannabis exports from Colombia work

Colombian legislation provides for the export of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes by authorized operators and subject to the conformity endorsements required by competent authorities. Resolução Conjunta 539 of 2022 establishes procedures according to the category of the goods.

The regulatory classification influences the documentation required for the operation. Depending on the product, documents related to the exporter's licenses, the substance's control status, and authorizations issued by competent bodies may be required.

Decree 811 of 2021, in turn, defines the authorities responsible for export conformity endorsements according to the type of goods. The Fundo Nacional de Estupefacientes participates in these procedures for cannabis derivatives, while other authorities may oversee the export of plant raw materials and finished products, as applicable.

Therefore, before arranging a shipment to Brazil, the exporter must confirm whether the product is classified as controlled or non-controlled in Colombia and what its status is in the destination country.

Traceability: what must be included in the documentation

Another point clarified by the FNE concerns the Export Declaration (DEX), the Colombian customs document that records the departure of goods from the country.

According to the official response, when the DEX description does not allow for fully detailing the certificates and conformity endorsements, a supplementary official letter may be submitted. The document must detail the quantities, batch numbers, control concepts, and export conformity endorsements associated with the shipped material.

The goal is to ensure consistency between the authorizations issued by the FNE and the information declared at export.

The statement also mentions the obligation to submit import and export declarations issued by the Colombian customs authority (DIAN) to the Ministry of Justice and Law and the FNE, as applicable, within eight days following the completion of nationalization or the dispatch of the goods abroad.

The documentation must reflect the quantities actually moved and, when applicable, indicate the number of the corresponding inspection report or export certificate.

What precautions companies should observe

For companies evaluating logistics operations between Colombia and Brazil, the clarification reinforces the need to align regulatory and operational steps prior to dispatch.

Key points to check include:

• Product classification: confirm whether the derivative or finished product is controlled or non-controlled in the countries involved.
• Exporter standing: verify that the company and its activities are authorized under Colombian regulations.
• Export documentation: gather the conformity endorsements, certificates, and declarations required for the goods.
• Transport modality: confirm that shipment by courier is compatible with the product's classification and applicable rules.
• Brazilian requirements: verify the sanitary and customs classification of the import, including authorizations relevant to the purpose of the operation.
• Traceability: ensure that batches, quantities, and documents are mutually consistent and match the export declaration.

These checks are especially critical because authorization to export in the country of origin and authorization to import at the destination are separate processes.

What changes for cannabis logistics between Colombia and Brazil

The FNE's clarification offers greater precision regarding the application of the Colombian restriction on postal transportation. For non-controlled derivatives and non-controlled finished products, the cited rule does not prevent the use of courier services, provided that all other legal requirements are met.

The statement, however, does not replace Brazilian sanitary regulations nor does it independently expand the categories of imports permitted into the country. The viability of each operation continues to depend on the nature of the product, its regulatory classification, the purpose of the import, and the required documentation.