The Ecuadorean customs corporation (CAE) is the state agency responsible for managing imports in Ecuador. Individuals and legal persons interested in international trade are required to register with the central bank of Ecuador as importers.
Any person is allowed to import goods and services into Ecuador. Casual imports simply fill out the declaration form and attach a copy of the local identification document. Frequent importers should register their data through the private banks duly authorized by the central bank of Ecuador or related offices. They will also require a tax contributors register (RUC) and proof of legal organization as a formal business or corporation.
Import medicines require a sanitary registration permit, which is obtained through the ministry of health. All agricultural products for human consumption require a fitosanitary permit, which is obtained through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Ecuador.
Note: Any written authorization required prior to shipping has been obtained. It is always significant to consider the national importation tariff list for this purpose.
Here the list of products that require an import authorization from an official institution/regulatory body: endangered wildlife and plant species; drugs, narcotics and psychotropic substances; firearms, ammunition and explosives; medicines and medical devices; food and other goods for human consumption; grains, animal origin consumer products, supplies, seeds, live animals and plants.
Items which are currently prohibited to be imported include: used clothing, used or retreaded tires, used shoes, used vehicles, certain pesticides, certain epoxies and esters, reptile hides, leather (either raw or pretanned), worked ivory and articles of ivory, carved animal materials, certain Chemicals (HS Nos. 2935110, 2935910, 29035920, 29036210, 29109010, 29109020, 29189030, 29201010, and 29201020).
Import Tariffs
Ecuador's tariffs are based on the Harmonized System of Nomenclature. According to Andean Common External Tariff (CET), the tariff range is 0-35%. Most consumer goods imports pay up to 30%, while intermediate goods are typically imported between 0% and 10% rates. Raw materials and capital goods usually pay 0% to 5%. Ecuador has negotiated exceptions under the Andean common tariff that allow for lower duties for certain capital goods and industrial inputs.
There are some additional taxes: 0.05% modernization fee on the CIF + duty value; 12% value added tax on CIF + duty + all other taxes. (Note: agricultural inputs, books, medicines, and petroleum development equipment are exempt from the VAT); 0.5% Children's Development Fund Tax on the CIF + duty + modernization fee- (imported raw materials to be used in the production of pharmaceuticals are exempt from this tax); 0.25% per thousand $'s of transaction for Exports and Investment Promotion Corporation based on FOB.
Labelling
Labels must contain a description in Spanish of the main ingredients of a product, its country of origin, manufacturing and expiration date and the full name and address of the Ecuadorean importer. They should also have Spanish instructions. The sanitary registration authorization number should also be clearly printed on the label. In many occasions consumer products may have a temporary authorization for sanitary registration which is valid for up to six months. | 
