International Shipping & Storage (INSA) in Ecuador has announced that, following many years of working with different administrations of the Ecuadorian Customs Agency (SENAE), the agency has issued a new import regulation, SENAE-SENAE-2023-0043-RE to be applied to household goods, personal effects, vehicles, and working equipment with immediate effect for returning citizens and foreigners entering Ecuador. The new regulations apply to all imports shipped after 27 July, 2023.

The new customs regulation is the result of INSA's persistence in asking many of SENAE's general directors for simplified procedures and norms.

Juan José Andrade Rojas, Operations Director for INSA thanked his Customs Business Unit for their hard work and paid tribute to LACMA for its support to get these proposals into effect. 

The most important changes of the new import regulation, SENAE-SENAE-2023-0043-RE, are the following:

Customs Inspection
The percentage of goods subject to prior inspection is reduced from 30% to 15%. The customs operating technician can review only 15% of the total amount of goods imported by the returning migrant. There will no longer be any second or third inspection of shipments. This will significantly reduce customs procedures times, demurrage and terminal handling charges. 

Identification of goods
If the imported goods are not properly identified, or do not match the data registered in the packing list, the returning migrant or foreigner will be required to pay a fine. However, this will not prevent the importation process from continuing as it did in the past. Please note that it doesn't affect the shipper record.  A list of admissible goods is available here.

Alcoholic beverages 
The limit has been extended from 10 litres to 50 litres with a maximum of 2 litres for each commercial brand. 

Used vehicles and motorcycles
Accepted for returning citizens only. The acquisition price of the used vehicle and motorcycle shall be related to the sale price when new, with depreciation applied.

The complete text of the Resolution can be viewed here.

Photo:  LACMA President Santiago Bosch and Vicente Avalos Vice President of INSA (both seated right) meeting the customs authorities from Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.