Ecuador
Ecuador Customs Information – Hercules Worldwide
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- Original passport and according visa.
- Immigrant visa.
- Migration certificate issued by Migration Police at destination.
- Foreigners with a non-immigrant working visa need a work contract that is valid for more than 1 year.
- Inventory list written in Spanish; must be legalized by Consulate of Ecuador in place of origin
- Returning Ecuadorian citizens that have lived abroad for a minimum of 1 year, require a resident visa from the country they resided in
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- ALL SHIPMENTS CONTAINING HOUSEHOLD GOODS & PERSONAL EFFECTS REQUIRE A MANDATORY INSPECTION AT POINT OF ORIGIN PRIOR TO LEAVING FOR ECUADOR. IF YOU FAIL TO OBTAIN A PRE-INSPECTION, YOUR SHIPMENT WILL BE RETURNED TO THE PORT OF ORIGIN AT SHIPPERS EXPENSE. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONSULT YOUR ECUADORIAN DESTINATION AGENT.
- The above requirements are excluded for diplomatic shipments
- Must be present in Ecuador for customs clearance procedure.
- If you are a foreigner, immigrant or returning national your shipment must arrive in Ecuador within 60 days of your landing.
- If visa is valid for over 1 year, immigrants and foreigners may import household goods duty free.
- The following persons may import household goods and personal effects duty free:
- Ecuadorian diplomats
- Foreign diplomats
- Ecuadorians retiring from official assignments in international organizations
- Citizens of Ecuador that have lived for at least 1 year abroad may import household goods duty free.
- May import one electrical appliance; extras are subject to duties
- Incoming shipments that do not fulfill all conditions will be subject to payment of import taxes; approximately 43% of CIF value
RESTRICTED ITEMS/DUTIABLE
- Shipments that exceed certain valuations and new items are subject to duties
- Do not ship electrical appliances with original packing
- Allow limited quantities of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages
- Only one of each item allowed for entry; duplicates are subject to duties
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Ammunition and firearms
- Pornographic materials
- Narcotics and drugs
- Live plants and foodstuffs
MOTOR VEHICLES
- Used vehicles are prohibited from shipment
- Vehicles must be brand new and inspected at origin before shipment (even if sharing container with household goods)
- Vehicles subject to duties; approximately 65% of CIF value
- Requires authorization from the Ministry of Finance before new vehicles are allowed to ship from origin
PETS
- Can import up to 3 pets
- The following documents are required:
- Vaccine certificate
- Health certificate
NOTES
The customs clearance process will take approximately 4 to 5 weeks in Guayaquil, and about 2 weeks in Quito.
**NOTE- all customs regulations and procedures are subject to change at any time. The above customs information is provided as a brief summary of Ecuador’s customs regulations and applies only to household goods shipments, and is for your general guidance. Hercules Worldwide is not liable for any damage, delays, duties, costs, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, omissions or errors. Always check full requirements and restrictions with the local embassy or consulate. **
