Moving to Ecuador
PROHIBITED AND RESTRICED GOODS
Drugs, narcotics, food, pornographic material, live plants, firearms, ammunition, tires and Household Appliances (refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers, etc) that operate with compressed gas containing CFC's or with fluids type R-12 or R-502 are strictly prohibited. - Alcohol, cigarrettes are restricted.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
New Customs Law issued by the Ecuadorian Congress, and published at the Official Register On May 3rd 2003, verification at origin for shipments whose value for customs is equal or greater than US$ 4000= is mandatory.
Contact will be made with the Ecuadorian Insurance Company or broker to obtain the local Insurance Policy, costs to be informed and billed, including handling fees, to customer in Ecuador or Origin Agent, accordingly.
Once the previous steps are fulfilled a "GREEN LIGHT" will be given to proceed with the embarking of shipment.
In the event of a shipment arriving to Ecuador without the Inspection Certificate. - The Customer has 15 Working days upon the arrival date of the shipment to request Ecuadorian Customs Authorities at Port/Airport of shipment's arrival: re-embarkation, in this case Customer's presence is needed to sign personally this request and present additional obligatory documents, as per Customs Procedures valid at that time. - If in this period of time, Customer does not apply for it, Customs will confiscate the shipment.
Only the following imports are exempted of Verification at Origin:
• Imports destined for the Diplomatic and Consular Sector
• International Transit Regime
• Traveler's accompanied baggage
• International Mail Traffic and Courier
• Border Traffic
It is important to differentiate between [Declared Value For Customs] and [Declared Value for Insurance].-Also it is recommended that these figures are not indicated on MAWB,HAWB,MBL or HBL.-The process of assessing values to the shipment based on the consularized list is a careful coordination between Customer, Origin Agent, Customs Broker and INSA.
In any case, the Door to Door Insurance, purchased by the Customer is a different document, not requested by Customs.-Please inform if by T.I.M.N. Insurance Program, there would be an insurance conflict regarding this matter to prevent any confusion and misunderstandings with claims arising under the Door to Door Insurance in the event a complete loss during international transportation arises.
HOUSEHOLD GOODS Household goods and personal effects are allowed duty free for:
• Foreign diplomats
• Ecuadorian diplomats
• Ecuadorian citizens returning after finishing official assignments in International Organizations recognized by the Ecuadorian Government
• Ecuadorian citizens returning after a minimum if one (1) year of legal residence abroad (resident visa from the country where they return from is required)
• Foreigners with immigrant visa
• Foreigners with non-immigrant working visa
REMARKS:
Only one item per article is allowed. Additional items are subject to payment of duties and fines or confiscation
Returning citizens will not be eligible for duty free importation in they have stayed in Ecuador for more than 30 days during the last year of abroad residence.
The shipment must arrive up to 60 days AFTER the arrival of the consignee.
Shipments on which all conditions are not fulfilled will be subject to payment of import taxes (approx. 43% of CIF value, calculated by Customs after inspection).
The OBL/AWB and cargo documentation must have the consignee’s R.U.C. (Ecuador tax contributor unique register, if the consignee is a company)), ID number (if importer is an Ecuadorian natural person) or passport number (if other than Ecuadorian). If the cargo is consigned to THE OTHER, the notifies R.U.C., ID or Passport number must be indicated.
