How to Ship Your Household Goods to Ecuador

In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about shipping your household goods to Ecuador.

Should You Ship Your Household Goods to Ecuador?

Deciding whether to ship your household goods to Ecuador is a personal choice. There are both economic and emotional factors to consider. If you're thinking about shipping your belongings, we recommend reaching out to a shipping agent to get an estimate of the costs, so you can make an informed decision. In the past, many expats found it worthwhile to ship their goods because most items were expensive in Ecuador. However, over the last few years, prices have dropped, and more items are available locally, making shipping less of an obvious choice.

Shipping Duty-Free

You can ship your household goods duty-free once you've obtained a resident visa. Ecuadorian citizens who are returning to Ecuador (remigrating) can also ship their household goods duty-free.

Restrictions

There are some restrictions on what you can ship to Ecuador, including:

• No motorized vehicles (cars, motorcycles, scooters, etc.), although there are exceptions for Ecuadorian citizens.

• No guns, ammunition, or explosives.

• No filament lightbulbs, and a limit of 10 bottles of liquor per person.

• Some restrictions also apply to the quantity of certain items. If you ship too many of the same items, customs might view it as a business activity rather than personal shipping.

Shipping Container Options

Shipping companies typically offer three container sizes:

• 20-foot containers: Usually cost between $7,500 and $10,000, depending on your location.

• 40-foot containers: Priced similarly to the 20-foot containers, even though they’re twice as long.

• 40-foot high-top containers: Only about $1,000 more than the 20-foot container, with an extra foot of height.

If you don’t have enough items to fill a whole container, pallets are the most economical option.

The Process

1. Contract a shipping agent: Your shipping agent will handle the logistics of getting your household goods to Ecuador.

2. Packing and documentation: Ecuador's customs requires a detailed list of everything in your container, so make sure to list every item carefully.

3. Loading: Your goods will be loaded into the container either at your home or a storage facility.

4. Customs clearance in Ecuador: Your container will arrive at the ports of Guayaquil or Posorja. Your shipping agent will coordinate with you to be present during customs clearance at the port.

5. Delivery: A truck will transport your container to your address. Ensure your agent arranges for a few people to help unload the container, so the truck driver can return it to the port.