How To Invoice Overseas Clients in USD From Colombia

International business is booming for Colombian companies — but successfully invoicing overseas clients in U.S. dollars (USD) comes with challenges. Between local tax requirements, banking restrictions, and volatile currency markets, getting paid properly and on time requires strategic preparation. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to invoice international clients in USD from Colombia, while avoiding common pitfalls that slow down payments.

Why USD Invoicing Matters More Than Ever in Colombia

The Colombian peso (COP) has faced significant volatility in recent years, with 2022–2024 seeing major swings against the U.S. dollar. Exporters, service providers, and freelancers increasingly prefer to bill overseas clients directly in USD to:

• Avoid local currency risk

• Speed up international payments

• Simplify cash flow forecasting

According to Banco de la República, Colombia’s central bank, foreign remittances grew by 12.7% in 2023 — a clear sign that cross-border USD flows are becoming a critical part of business (Banco de la República, 2024).

However, to properly invoice and get paid in dollars, businesses must navigate several layers of compliance and operational setup.

Step 1: Make Sure Your Business Meets DIAN E-Invoicing Requirements

In Colombia, most businesses are required to issue electronic invoices (facturación electrónica) through the DIAN system — even for overseas transactions. While DIAN primarily governs domestic VAT, maintaining compliant invoices protects you during audits and when declaring exports.

Key points:

• Electronic invoices must be generated through an authorized software provider or DIAN’s free tool.

• Invoices must clearly indicate the nature of the export service or product.

• Currency (USD) should be clearly specified.

• Although no VAT is charged on exports, exemption must be documented properly (Fonoa, 2024).

For full compliance guidance, refer to DIAN’s export invoicing guidelines or consult a Colombian tax professional.

Step 2: Structure Your USD Invoice Correctly

Creating a clean, internationally-acceptable invoice reduces the risk of client confusion and payment delays. Your invoice should include:

• Your company’s legal name, address, and tax ID (NIT)

• Client’s full legal name and address

• Invoice number and date

• Detailed description of goods or services

• Currency clearly marked as USD

• Total amount due in USD

• Banking/payment instructions (see Step 3)

• Payment terms (e.g., 15 days, 30 days)

• Notes about tax exemption for exports (optional but recommended)

Using an invoicing platform that supports USD billing — such as Mural Pay's Invoicing system — can automate templates and compliance fields, saving you time.

Step 3: Set Up a Reliable USD Receiving Method

One of the biggest barriers Colombian businesses face is not issuing the invoice — it's actually receiving the dollars. Traditional local banks often convert incoming USD to pesos automatically at high rates, or charge steep wire fees.

Better alternatives include:

• Virtual USD Accounts: Platforms like Mural Pay’s Virtual Accounts allow Colombian businesses to receive, hold, and manage USD directly.

• Stablecoin Payment Solutions: USDC payments (via platforms like Mural Pay’s Payments) offer near-instant settlement and very low fees.

• International Fintech Platforms: Wise and Payoneer offer USD receiving accounts but may have restrictions on use cases.

Important:
Always double-check local regulations when moving larger sums internationally. Certain thresholds ($10,000+) may require exchange declarations (Formulario 4) with Banco de la República.

For a deeper look at fast digital USD accounts, you can also review: How to Open a USD Virtual Account in Bolivia — many steps apply similarly in Colombia.

Step 4: Select Payment Terms That Protect Your Business

For international invoices, payment terms are more than just administrative details — they are risk-management tools. Consider the following:

• Advance Deposits: Request 30%–50% upfront for large projects or shipments.

• Short Payment Cycles: Standard terms internationally are 15–30 days, not 60–90 days.

• Late Fee Clauses: Politely specify interest charges for overdue invoices, even if lightly enforced.

• Preferred Payment Methods: Clearly indicate whether you prefer wire, stablecoin, or virtual account payments.

Colombian businesses increasingly favor stablecoin-based payments for faster settlement and real-time tracking. According to Chainalysis, stablecoin transactions for B2B payments in Latin America grew over 400% from 2021 to 2024 (Chainalysis, 2024).

Step 5: Maintain Clear Records for Tax and Audit Purposes

Even if your client is based abroad, Colombia’s tax authorities expect clean documentation of export transactions:

• Store copies of all invoices and contracts.

• Maintain FX rate records if payments are converted.

• Document any DIAN filings or exemptions for each overseas transaction.

Using an integrated platform like Mural Pay’s Payments that offers automatic audit trails can simplify compliance dramatically.

Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

For Bolivian companies facing similar issues, here’s a related resource: How Bolivian Importers Avoid Delays When Sending Money Abroad.

Conclusion: Why Smart USD Invoicing Opens Global Doors

Getting paid in USD isn’t just a defensive move against currency swings — it opens up new markets, improves financial flexibility, and builds stronger client relationships.

By combining compliance with DIAN regulations, professional invoicing practices, modern virtual account tools, and client education, Colombian businesses can confidently scale their global operations.

Looking to simplify your cross-border invoicing?
Start with Mural Pay's Virtual USD Accounts today.

References

• Banco de la República. (2024). External Sector Statistics Report. Retrieved from https://www.banrep.gov.co

• Fonoa. (2024). E-invoicing and Reporting Requirements: Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.fonoa.com/countries/colombia/e-invoicing-and-digital-reporting

• Chainalysis. (2024). Stablecoin Adoption in LATAM Report. Retrieved from https://www.chainalysis.com

• Mural Pay. (2024). How to Open a USD Virtual Account in Bolivia. Retrieved from https://www.muralpay.com/blog/how-to-open-a-usd-virtual-account-in-bolivia

• Wise. (2024). How to Invoice International Clients. Retrieved from https://wise.com/us/blog/how-to-invoice-international-clients