To start a coffee business in Colombia, decide early whether you’re opening a café, micro-roastery, or exporter, because each path sets your permits, equipment, and cash-flow model. Register the company at the Cámara de Comercio (Registro Mercantil), obtain your NIT and RUT with DIAN, and verify land-use (uso de suelo) approval with the local planning office before signing a lease. Cafés need a sanitary concept from the Secretaría de Salud, food-handler certificates for staff, and a basic INVIMA notification for packaged items; roasters and packagers require an INVIMA registro sanitario and a fire-safety inspection. Exporters must register with the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC), enroll in SICA/VUCE, and process export permits and quality certificates per lot. Source green coffee via cooperatives or direct relationships; lock quality using cupping scores, humidity (10–12%), and defect counts, then negotiate in COP/kg with clear delivery terms. Specify power (110/220V), water treatment, and ventilation for roasters; budget for grinder-to-espresso ratios and preventive maintenance. Choose a tax regime (Simple vs Ordinario) and set up electronic invoicing; accept Nequi, datafono, and QR payments. Hire formally and enroll staff in EPS, ARL, and pensions. Pilot your menu, measure daily covers, and track COGS under 30% from day one.
