Located near Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is an important port city in South America. The country’s capital is Quito, and Guayaquil is the biggest city in Ecuador and home to a major sea shipping port; the Port of Guayaquil. Other shipping ports in Ecuador include the Port of La Libertad, the Port of Manta and the Port of Puerto Bolivar.
If you are ocean shipping to Ecuador, you can ship household goods and personal effects duty free if you are a foreign diplomat, Ecuadorian diplomat or a citizen of Ecuador returning after completing some type of official assignment for an international organization that is recognized by the Ecuadorian government.
If you are a citizen of Ecuador returning to the country after having been away for at least one year with legal residence abroad, including a resident visa from the country where you are returning, you are also allowed to ship household items back to Ecuador at no charge. If you are not a citizen of Ecuador but are a foreigner with an immigrant visa or a foreigner to the country with a non-immigrant working visa, you may also likely qualify for free shipping on personal effects.
When shipping personal items to Ecuador, please note that only one item per article is allowed. If you try to ship additional items, you may be required to pay certain duty fees, fines and taxes. Your items may also be at risk of confiscation.
If you are returning citizen, you are not eligible for duty free importation if you have been in Ecuador for more than thirty days during the past year of residence abroad.
The timing of your cargo shipment to Ecuador is important. Your shipment can arrive up to 60 days after your arrival in the country.
If you are shipping cargo to Ecuador and you do not meet the qualifications detailed above, you may be subject to pay certain import taxes (approximately 43% of CIF value, as calculated by customs officials in Ecuador).
When shipping to Ecuador, it is necessary to obtain a transportation insurance policy in Ecuador. This is for customs purposes and does not replace the coverage of regular door to door shipping insurance issued at origin.
If you are moving to Ecuador and are shipping household goods and personal items to Ecuador, your shipment may be inspected. If it is valued at over $4,000 it should be inspected at origin before arrival in Ecuador. Verification of this inspection is important.
Required Paperwork when Shipping to Ecuador
In order to get through the customs clearance process in Ecuador, you will need to get some important documents in order. Before you ship cargo to Ecuador you should plan to have a sworn declaration of your items stamped by an Ecuadorian Consulate at origin. It is extremely important that you provide a detailed and complete list of the household goods, personal items, equipment and other items that you are shipping. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
For non-resident visitors to Ecuador, you should plan to have a valid work contract available. If you are a resident returning to Ecuador, make sure to have your resident visa from the country where you have been living for a year or more.
If required, you can obtain a Migratory Certificate from the Migration Police prior to presentation of your customs declaration.
The following documents are necessary when shipping to Ecuador:
1.Original passport with stamped visa
2.Verification certificate (if applicable)
3.Transportation Insurance Policy issued in Ecuador
With the exception of foreign diplomats, a detailed physical inspection at the port of entry is mandatory when shipping to Ecuador. Please note, if non-declared items are found during inspection of your cargo shipment, this will be considered a felony and will be punished.
Restrictions when Shipping to Ecuador
If you are shipping to Ecuador, there are tight restrictions on a number of products and items including the following:
•Drugs or narcotics
•Food items
•Pornographic material
•Live plants
•Firearms and ammunition
•Tires
•Certain Household Appliances that operate with compressed gas containing CFCs or with fluids type R-12 or R-502 are strictly prohibited. This includes some refrigerators, freezers and dehumidifiers, etc.
There are some very specific restrictions on alcohol and cigarettes.
Shipping a Car to Ecuador
Typically you are not allowed to ship used vehicles to Ecuador unless you are a foreign diplomat. If you want to ship a car or other vehicle to Ecuador, the vehicle should be brand new.
Before shipping a car to Ecuador, your car will need to be inspected at origin. This is a requirement, even if you are shipping a car in a container with other household goods and personal items. In addition, before shipping a vehicle to Ecuador, you must obtain an import permit prior to shipment.
Duty fees for vehicle shipping to Ecuador are around 65% if the CIF value.
There is a lot to think about before shipping by sea to Ecuador or some other South American destination or shipping port worldwide. A professional cargo shipping company will direct you through all the rules and regulations, paperwork and logistics, pertaining to your shipment to Ecuador. Choosing the right international sea shipping agency will help make your experience with international shipping to Ecuador much easier.
Based about 30 miles north of Miami, Florida, Cargo Experts was formed by a team of moving professionals and cargo shippers who are committed to delivering outstanding customer service as they take care of all the details involved in your overseas cargo shipping. Ms. Bodner works with Cargo Experts and has many years of experience in international cargo shipping. Get a free estimate for your international shipment. For more information about international cargo shipping services, including information about shipping to Ecuador and other locations worldwide, call toll free at 1-866-994-7822.
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