Compliance · Colombia
RCS Compliance in Colombia
A practical overview of the rules that affect RCS messaging and marketing in Colombia, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for RCS in Colombia
RCS business messaging availability in Colombia depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS.
RCS availability in the Americas varies by carrier and device; consent rules that apply to SMS marketing generally apply to RCS too.
Data Protection
Law 1581 of 2012 and its decrees require a data processing policy, authorisation from the data subject and, for larger companies, registration of databases with the SIC.
Keep a record of how each contact was collected, what they agreed to and when, and make it easy for them to withdraw consent.
Practical Checklist
- Verify your brand with the RCS provider and keep the sender profile accurate.
- Confirm device and operator coverage for the country and configure SMS fallback.
- Apply the same consent rules you use for SMS marketing to promotional RCS.
- Keep suggested replies meaningful and do not hide key terms inside images.
- Track opt-outs and suppress those numbers on both RCS and SMS.
Contact data
Format numbers in international E.164 format with the +57 country code, remove duplicates and invalid numbers, and keep consent records linked to each number.
Timing and Language
Colombia follows the America/Bogota time zone (UTC-05:00 in October 2026). The usual working week is Monday to Friday. Schedule RCS campaigns for the recipient's local daytime hours, avoid public holidays and religious observances that matter to your audience, and convert send times from IST before scheduling.
In Bogotá, customers commonly use Spanish. Messages in the customer's preferred language usually perform better, but check how local-language text affects character counts (for SMS) and template approval (for WhatsApp).
Digital Habits and Channels in Colombia
Colombia is a WhatsApp-first market where customers expect to contact businesses by chat, and Instagram, Facebook and TikTok drive discovery. Colombian rules on commercial messages, overseen by the CRC and the SIC, limit marketing contact to reasonable hours and require an easy opt-out.
Nequi and Daviplata wallets, PSE bank transfers and cards are common payment methods. Mother's Day in May, the mid-year and December bonuses (prima), Black Friday and Christmas season with novenas shape demand.
Colombia's economy includes oil and coal, coffee, cut flowers, bananas and a growing services and software sector in Bogotá and Medellín. VAT (IVA) is 19%, and prices are in Colombian pesos. Law 1581 of 2012 on personal data requires prior consent for marketing, supervised by the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC), and Law 2300 of 2023 limits collection messages and restricts contact to weekdays and Saturday daytime hours. Claro, Movistar and Tigo are the main mobile operators.
Regulators, Registers and Practical Rules in Colombia
Colombia's SIC enforces Law 1581 and Law 2300 of 2023 limits contact hours.
The CRC runs the Registro de Números Excluidos.
Colombia's CRC has also set rules for SMS short codes and requires a clear opt-out. Claro, Movistar and Tigo are the operators, and WhatsApp is the main customer service channel.
In practice, Law 2300 means marketing contacts must stay within the allowed days and hours and be limited to one contact per week through each channel.
General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with the regulator or a local adviser before launch.
Advertising Alongside Messaging
Advertising follows the Consumer Statute (Law 1480 of 2011), and the SIC's guide on influencer marketing requires clear disclosure of paid content.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding as of October 2026. Rules change, so we check current requirements for Colombia before every launch.
Planning RCS campaigns for Colombia?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
RCS in Colombia: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing RCS messages in Colombia?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. RCS business messaging availability in Colombia depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS.
Is RCS available in Colombia?
RCS business messaging availability in Colombia depends on operator and device support, so we confirm coverage before planning campaigns and keep SMS as a fallback; the same consent rules that apply to SMS apply to RCS.
Can DND Teams run RCS campaigns to Colombia?
Yes. We are based in Bhopal, India, and run campaigns for international markets remotely, after checking the current rules, sender requirements and coverage for Colombia.
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide is general information to help you plan. Regulations change and their application depends on your business, so take local legal advice for significant campaigns.
Related Guides and Services
Other channels in Colombia
RCS rules in nearby markets
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