Compliance · Colombia
WhatsApp Compliance in Colombia
A practical overview of the rules that affect WhatsApp messaging and marketing in Colombia, with a checklist before you launch.
Key Rules for WhatsApp in Colombia
WhatsApp Business API campaigns to customers in Colombia need opt-in consent under Law 1581 of 2012 and Law 2300 of 2023, in addition to Meta's business and commerce policies.
WhatsApp is a major business channel in much of Latin America, while in the US and Canada it is used alongside SMS. Consent and data protection laws in each country apply to WhatsApp marketing.
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
- Use the official WhatsApp Business Platform rather than personal or modified apps, which risk bans.
- Collect opt-in that clearly mentions WhatsApp and your business name, and store a record of it.
- Choose the correct template category and keep utility messages free of promotions.
- Respond within the 24-hour customer service window where possible, and use approved templates outside it.
- Honour opt-outs and blocks, and watch your quality rating in WhatsApp Manager.
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 WhatsApp 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 WhatsApp campaigns for Colombia?
We check the rules, set up sender requirements and run compliant campaigns.
WhatsApp in Colombia: FAQs
Do I need consent to send marketing WhatsApp messages in Colombia?
In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. WhatsApp Business API campaigns to customers in Colombia need opt-in consent under Law 1581 of 2012 and Law 2300 of 2023, in addition to Meta's business and commerce policies.
Do WhatsApp rules differ by country?
Meta's WhatsApp Business policies apply worldwide, but local data protection and marketing laws in Colombia also apply, and per-message charges vary by recipient country.
Can DND Teams run WhatsApp 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
WhatsApp rules in nearby markets
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