economy
May 6, 2026
Important deadline expires for transport companies to avoid headaches with tax authorities
Failure to comply with this rule can lead to sanctions, financial blockades, and operational risks. Photo: Sergio Acero / EL TIEMPO
TL;DR
- More than 3,600 transport companies in Colombia must implement the SARLAFT system by May 6th.
- SARLAFT aims to prevent the use of transport operations for money laundering, terrorism financing, or illicit resource movement.
- Starting May 7th, companies must actively validate drivers, vehicles, owners, and third parties in operations.
- Compliance shifts from a formality to a constant operational exercise with an emphasis on traceability and support.
- Non-compliance can lead to significant sanctions, including fines from one to 2,000 minimum monthly legal wages.
- Penalties extend beyond financial to potential closure of financial system doors, limited credit access, and reputational damage.
- The scope of control is broad, encompassing all participants in an operation, from drivers to clients and beneficiaries.
- Companies with higher revenues must implement the full SARLAFT, while smaller ones can use simplified measures, but all must verify third parties.
- The challenge is internal, requiring companies to define responsibilities, update risk matrices, and establish clear mechanisms for reviewing alerts.