Customs to Ecuador (updated 2017)

A drone up to $500,000? Whats that all about? With or without air to surface missles?

You added an extra 0..

It is $500

Thank you for this great information. Can you let me know how to acquire a National or Foreign medial prescription form to provide my Physian? Does this prescription need to be apostle ?
Can you give me an estimate of the duty fees on electric kitchen tools, small mixer, food processor, and pressure cooker. Thank you for your time.

la veta wrote:

Can you let me know how to acquire a National or Foreign medial prescription form to provide my Physian? Does this prescription need to be apostle ?

Dear La Veta,

There is no need looking for such a form.

Have your physician in Denver write up a prescription for your meds and take it to a prescribing physician in Santa Elena.

The Santa Elena doc can then verify the names of the meds as used in Ecuador and transfer the potency and dosage information to a list on his stationery or prescription form.

Many meds do not require a prescription in Ecuador.   Mind-altering meds known as psicotrópicos y estupefacientes can be authorized by a specialist in Ecuador on a form known as a receta especial.

No apostille is needed in this process.  Just take the receta to a pharmacy that sells what you need.

If possible, bring up to three months worth of meds from the U.S. so you don't have to refill stuff on a deadline.  Customs will understand if you do this and have your prescription list handy.

cccmedia

la veta wrote:

Can you give me an estimate of the duty fees on electric kitchen tools, small mixer, food processor, and pressure cooker.

Non-industrial kitchen stuff that fits in your carry-on luggage will probably clear customs without special fees. 

Do not pack borderline items in their new-looking original boxes, which could indicate possible re-sale intentions. 

cccmedia

CCCMEDIA- Thank you,

I am coming by myself and am bringing a shipping container.  We’re can I find a list of what I can bring in a container.  I have to decide what I want to keep, what to sell and what to buy.  I own lots of items of good quality. 
I found out I can bring a nice farmhouse sink and my favourite kitchen faucet that is touchless as well as indoor and outdoor appliances. There must be lots of things I am not thinking of a list would be nice. 

Also when coming through the boarder by plane what type of food can I bring with me?

Thanks for any clarification

Dear Shadow Girl,

Welcome to the Ecuador forum.

Your can bring just about anything that doesn't present an obvious danger (explosives, machine guns).  Used cars are specifically prohibited unless you are a returning citizen of Ecuador.

It is unlikely you will find an official list of what is permissible, containing words like "farmhouse sink" or "touchless faucet."  The list would be too long.

If you exceed the number of permissible items in any individual category, SENAE will charge duty fees.

If you try to bring everything, you might pay $15,000 US to the shipper, the port, for destination mileage fees and a laundry list of other fees.

Anecdotal reports have told us of damaged items, missing items, storage fees, unanticipated charges and other Expat nightmares related to first-time shipping. 

Instead of shipping a container, many Expats pack up to half a dozen suitcases, pay the airline for excess baggage charges and call it a day.  This works best if you have a definite destination for all the stuff so you don't face the logistical challenge of moving it around.  If going the suitcase route, contact your airline in advance to see if they limit the amount of excess baggage that would be permissible.

This post only scrapes the surface of all the responsibilities you would assume -- and scenarios you may encounter.  For a fuller picture, google: movers.com customs regulations ecuador .. and shipping your household goods to ecuador cuencahighlife.  The latter is an essay by an Expat named Charles Phillips.  It is eight years old, yet is still a brilliant write-up highly recommended for someone considering a container move.

First-time Expats should be certain they will be moving to one location in La República for many years before committing to a full-on container shipment.  They also are advised to be certain that Ecuador -- including the specific place they choose for residency in Ecuador -- is right for them.

Consider using an Ecuadorian immigration attorney from start to finish to supervise the myriad aspects of such a project.

cccmedia

There are also regulations about timing, when it comes to shipping in a container. We shipped ours in almost five years ago and the process was seamless (we used an Ecuadorian shipping firm, well versed in the technicalities). Our only hiccup was the mad dash to get it packed up and shipped to the country before our deadline. There are several sites that list the limits on certain household items (to avoid paying duty, but this list is ever changing, as are the laws. As cccmedia recommends, make sure you are ready to stay here for an extended period of time before going to the cost of shipping down a container.

is there an update to this list for November 2018?

I did find this:
https://www.aduana.gob.ec/viajeros-por- … eropuerto/

How about 30 unopened jars of Nativa coconut oil and 30 unopened jars of Ambrosia honey packed in a suitcase?
I like honey and coconut oil.
Also maybe 30 unopened jars of peanut or almond butter?

I have no input on what is allowed. But I know that I arrived late at night and they just waved me through but checked other passengers. And I had lots of luggage. I must look honest or something