Discusses requirements for products entering the country/economy temporarily including information on warranty and non-warranty items entering the country/economy for repair.
Last Published: 8/1/2016

Ecuador’s Régimen 20 (http://www.aduana.gob.ec/pro/special_regimes.action) sets forth the regulatory framework for the temporary entry of up to one year of items used for demonstration, trade fairs, and special projects. For government tenders, temporary entry is allowed from 20 to 90 days depending on the contract. In some instances, the time period may be extended. During this period, the obligation to pay taxes and duties is suspended with the condition that the commodities be re-exported. Commodities may also be nationalized after paying the required taxes and fees on the CIF value of the merchandise.

For maquila operations, the equipment needed for assembly operations can also be imported free of duties, although a bond has to be deposited. No import permits are required. Special labor regulations apply to companies operating under this system.

According to Ecuadorian import regulations, when merchandise is temporarily exported for repair, applicable import duties are only charged on the aggregate value, i.e., new or reconditioned replacement parts, added to the original merchandise. Merchandise temporarily leaving the country will be marked by SENAE, the Ecuadorian customs agency, in order to identify it upon its return.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.