Ecuador Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in ecuador, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Prohibited and Restricted Imports
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COMEX resolution 009-2022 and its reforms establishes the following goods as prohibited imports:  

  • Hazardous waste
  • Radioactive materials
  • Used clothing or footwear  
  • Scheduled substances subject to control
  • Ozone depleting substances
  • Reptile hides
  • Used spare parts for vehicles 
  • Baby bottles with BPA components
  • Used tires
  • Refrigeration units for vehicles for transport of goods
  • Violence and crime films
  • Equipment containing CFCs using R-12 or R-502 refrigerants 
  • Worked ivory and its manufactures
  • Used vehicles and motorcycles 
  • FTA satellite decoders and receivers classified in subheading 8528.71.00.21 through Ecuadorian post office, courier, or through natural persons entering through international passenger arrival halls.  For imports for consumption, ARCOTEL (Agency for Control and Regulations of Telecommunications) will issue the corresponding non-automatic import license for subheading 8528.71.00.21.
  • Used or refurbished cell phones via courier service
  • Single-use plastic straws

Used special-purpose vehicles such as ambulances, mobile clinics, street sweepers, and fire trucks are permitted as donations with a tax exemption.  

Antiques, precious gems and jewels, human remains, original artwork, guns, and live animals require authorization of the respective ministries for import into Ecuador.   

Prohibited imports for couriers and postal service shipments can be found at Envios Courier or Postal. 

For more information, visit COMEX.