❌

Normal view

Received — 14 April 2026 ⏭

Tecnoglass Cuts 2026 EBITDA Guidance as US Aluminum Tariffs Hit Colombian Window Exports

✇Finance Colombia
By: Loren Moss
10 April 2026 at 13:07

New 10% tariff on finished aluminum windows forces EBITDA revision of ~$50M

Barranquilla-based window and architectural glass manufacturer Tecnoglass, Inc. (NYSE: TGLS) has revised its full-year 2026 financial guidance following the April 2 announcement of updated US trade policy that introduced a 10% tariff on finished aluminum window products imported into the United States.

The company stated that its first quarter 2026 performance was in line with internal expectations, supported by continued order activity and a record project backlog. Those results, the company indicated, support the continuation of its previously stated expectation of strong double-digit full-year revenue growth. However, the tariff development — which was not incorporated into the original 2026 guidance issued February 26, 2026 — required a revision to Adjusted EBITDA projections.

“We are executing at a high level to start 2026, with first quarter performance in line with our expectations and continued strength across our residential and commercial platforms. Our record backlog and strong order activity provide excellent visibility, and we continue to gain market share supported by our differentiated vertically integrated model and industry-leading cost structure. The developments in U.S. trade policy applicable to aluminum-containing imports do not reflect any change in our competitive positioning or underlying demand environment. We have proactively restructured our supply chain over the past several years to significantly reduce raw material tariff exposure, and our platform remains advantaged within our industry,” said CEO José Manuel Daes.

Tecnoglass is now guiding for full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $225 million USD to $245 million USD. The updated range reflects an estimated net incremental impact of approximately $50 million USD compared to the midpoint of the company’s previously stated guidance, attributable to the newly applied 10% tariff on certain finished aluminum window imports into the US market.

The April 2 White House announcement updated Section 232 metals tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports, and expanded the applicability of those tariffs to finished goods and certain derivative products containing those metals. The action affects Tecnoglass and other aluminum window exporters that ship products into the United States.

In response, Tecnoglass says it has implemented pricing adjustments effective on orders placed beginning in early May, the benefit of which is expected to materialize in the second half of 2026. The company is also advancing operational efficiency measures including logistics improvements, increased automation, and workforce adjustments. The revised guidance also accounts for the potential effect of sustained elevated aluminum prices in the second half of the year.

“The developments in US trade policy applicable to aluminum-containing imports do not reflect any change in our competitive positioning or underlying demand environment. We have proactively restructured our supply chain over the past several years to significantly reduce raw material tariff exposure.” – CEO José Manuel Daes

Santiago Giraldo, Chief Financial Officer of Tecnoglass, added, “The change to our full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA expectations is entirely a result of the revised U.S. tariff framework, which was not contemplated in our original guidance. We have already announced pricing actions that will start with orders in early May, and we are advancing additional efficiency initiatives, including automation and logistics optimization, to further mitigate the anticipated net impact of tariffs disclosed today. These actions, combined with our strong margin profile and disciplined cost management, position us to partially offset the tariff impact as we move through the year and fully neutralize it in 2027. Our updated outlook reflects this discrete policy-driven headwind and does not change our confidence in the trajectory of the business. We remain well positioned to drive growth, expand margins over time, and continue delivering industry-leading financial performance.”

A more comprehensive update, including first quarter results and a full restatement of 2026 guidance, is expected in early May.

Tecnoglass operates a 5.8 million square foot vertically integrated manufacturing complex in Barranquilla, Colombia, and counts the United States as its dominant market, representing approximately 95% of total revenues. The company describes itself as the second-largest glass fabricator serving the US market and the largest architectural glass transformation company in Latin America. Its products have been specified for notable projects including One Thousand Museum and Paramount in Miami, Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, and Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado in Bogotá.

 

Received — 16 March 2026 ⏭

Colombia Tightens Rules for Bringing Drones into the Country Over Security Concerns

✇Finance Colombia
By: Jadin Samit Vergara
13 March 2026 at 21:57

Drones may now be seized upon a traveler’s entry into Colombia, unless specific conditions are met.

Colombia has modified the rules for bringing drones and their spare parts into the country for security reasons. The measure was established through Resolution 000242 of 2025 issued by the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN) and has been in effect since January 11, 2026.

The regulation was adopted “with the objective of preventing the illegal entry of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones) and mitigating the risks associated with their misuse.” According to the DIAN in a press release, the provisions aim to “strengthen national security against the possible use of these devices in criminal activities, such as indiscriminate attacks against security forces and the civilian population.”

Under the directive, drones may enter the country through two mechanisms. The first is by submitting an Advance Import Declaration (Declaración Anticipada de Importaciones, by its Spanish name), which must be filed five calendar days before travel through the Customs Services (Servicio de Aduanas) section of the official DIAN website at www.dian.gov.co. The second option is to complete DIAN Form 530 upon arrival in the country.

In both cases, travelers must present the original purchase invoice, declare the intended use of the drone, and pay the corresponding import taxes, regardless of the price already paid for the equipment in the country of purchase. In some cases, DIAN may also request an inspection of the device.

The regulation establishes that drones or their parts may only enter the country if they comply with this standard import procedure.

Another key aspect of the resolution is that drones may only enter Colombia through two authorized entry points: the port of Cartagena and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá. If a drone is brought into the country through any other location, customs authorities may seize it.

DIAN also clarified that travelers should “refrain from bringing this type of merchandise under the traveler import modality.” If they attempt to do so, customs authorities will require the change of modality so that the device can be processed through ordinary import procedures, provided that the arrival occurred through the authorized entry points. Entry through other locations is not permitted and could result in the seizure of the merchandise.

Additionally, the resolution states that drones cannot enter the country through postal shipments or express courier services, meaning international deliveries of these devices may be subject to confiscation.

Retail companies may continue selling drones in the Colombian market, provided they comply with import procedures and pay the applicable taxes. However, these requirements may lead to delays and additional costs for final consumers.

According to the magazine Cambio Colombia, the measure responds to the growing use of drones in criminal activities. These “recreational or productive technologies have begun appearing in high-risk scenarios such as illegal surveillance, the transport of explosives, criminal intelligence operations, and even attacks against security forces.”

Defense Minister, Major General (ret.) Pedro Arnulfo Sánchez Suárez, confirmed that 162 drone attacks against security forces were recorded in the country during the past year. According to the minister, the resolution will make it possible to “know exactly who is purchasing drones and what their intended purpose and use are. This will allow us to protect the population and prevent a tool designed for progress and development from being used to kill Colombians.”

In general terms, Resolution 000242 establishes three main rules for bringing drones into Colombia:

  1. Mandatory advance declaration for importers, including travelers.
  2. Restriction of entry to two authorized points: the port of Cartagena and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá.
  3. A total ban on postal or express courier shipments of drones.

Additionally, drones that weigh more than 250 grams or are used for professional activities must be registered with Aerocivil, Colombia’s civil aviation authority. Failure to register the device or operating it without authorization may result in fines.

Above photo: DJI drone courtesy DJI

❌