Update to: Online purchases flowing into Ecuador via 4×4 shipments

Published: Volume 5, Issue 7

As of this past Monday, Ecuadorian purchases from abroad that are delivered through the ‘4×4 mechanism’ are tariff free up to $1,600 per year.

This was established by the Foreign Trade Committee (Comex) through Resolution 008-2022 issued on April 28, 2022.

With the 4×4 system, natural persons can buy goods abroad via postal mail or courier, as long as the package weighs no more than four kilos and the value does not exceed $400 for each shipment.

Prior to Resolution 008-2022, purchases through this system incurred a fee of $42, however, the Foreign Trade Committee has eliminated this charge in the new resolution.

The Committee also eliminated the maximum limit of $1,200 per year, or five annual packages under the 4 × 4 system.

Resolution 008-2022 established a new cap of $1,600 per year that took effect on Monday, May 16; the new limit will remain in place thru December 31, 2022.

If an individual exceeds $1,600 in imports in the 4 × 4 mode, the person must pay the tariffs for the merchandise that is above that amount.

Between January and March, imports through international postal traffic and express couriers totaled $80.7 million, according to the latest report from the Central Bank of Ecuador. This represents an increase of 49% compared to the first quarter of 2021.