WiseTech expands CargoWise customs reach in Colombia

WiseTech Global has agreed to acquire Colombian customs and logistics software provider Opentecnología, extending its customs software footprint in Latin America.

The deal adds a specialist in Colombian customs compliance and electronic documentation to WiseTech's CargoWise product suite, subject to customary conditions.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Bogotá, Opentecnología develops software used by importers, exporters and logistics operators to manage customs, tax and fiscal processes. Its systems also generate and transmit electronic documents used in trade and billing workflows.

Colombia focus

Opentecnología's position in the market is underpinned by its standing within Colombia's regulatory environment. It holds a current authorisation from Colombia's National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN) as a technology provider for electronic document interoperability services in the country's electronic invoicing ecosystem.

The company also participates in working groups led by Colombia's logistics industry bodies, which WiseTech views as helpful for keeping pace with emerging data integration and interoperability standards.

Opentecnología's customer base includes major logistics operators and global carriers, including some that already use CargoWise. WiseTech described its software as a unified platform for billing, payments and regulatory compliance aligned with Colombian tax rules.

The acquisition comes as global logistics providers put greater emphasis on customs and compliance tools that meet local requirements while integrating with broader operational systems. Colombia's trade flows are heavily maritime, with close to 90% of foreign trade conducted by sea, according to figures cited in the announcement.

Colombia is the fourth-largest economy in Latin America and has the region's third-largest population, based on statistics referenced by WiseTech. Commercial activity is concentrated in hubs including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla and Cartagena. The United States is Colombia's largest trading partner for both exports and imports. Other major export partners include Panama, India, China and the Netherlands, while key import partners include China, Brazil, Mexico and Germany.

Customs platform

WiseTech has been expanding customs functionality across multiple jurisdictions as part of its strategy to broaden CargoWise's global trade coverage. It described the Opentecnología agreement as another step in that rollout across Latin America.

Vlad Bilanovsky, WiseTech Global's Chief Execution Officer, said: "I am impressed with Opentecnología's local customs and compliance software capability and an expert team who bring deep domain experience in both customs requirements and software development. Colombia is an important nearshoring option for the U.S. and a key market for many of the large global freight forwarders who already use CargoWise. By becoming part of the CargoWise global customs solution, large global logistics service providers will be able to significantly improve the efficiency of managing the end-to-end shipment process in and out of Colombia, all within CargoWise. With the LATAM region's growing importance in international trade, we continue to invest in customs footholds across the region as part of our goal for WiseTech's global customs platform to cover 90% of global manufactured trade flows."

Integration plans

Opentecnología will be integrated into the WiseTech group and will remain under the current leadership of General Manager Alex Gordillo and Commercial Director Sandra Guerrero. It will continue to deliver its products directly to customers and will offer other CargoWise products over time.

This approach signals continuity for users that rely on local compliance features and established interfaces with Colombian electronic invoicing and customs processes. WiseTech also expects the acquisition to strengthen its ability to offer end-to-end workflows covering both logistics execution and customs activities in Colombia.

"Joining WiseTech Global brings many benefits to Opentecnología's customers, product development and most importantly our people. As part of a global team with strong relationships with large global freight forwarders and extensive resources, we have a path to grow our business in a way that we wouldn't have been able to do on our own. Our customers will benefit from improved efficiencies while still being supported by a solution tailored to Colombia's customs requirements. And a wealth of new career opportunities are now available for our people. We are very excited in this next chapter in Opentecnología's ongoing legacy and journey into the future," said Alex Gordillo, General Manager, Opentecnología S.A.

CargoWise is used by logistics companies in multiple countries, and WiseTech has been acquiring specialist providers with local expertise in customs and regulatory processes. Once completed, Opentecnología's team and software are expected to become part of WiseTech's expanding customs product line in Latin America.