Couriers in Ecuador are struggling to keep up with the surge in deliveries from purchasing platforms like Temu, forcing them to subcontract additional distributors.
A flood of international online purchases is overwhelming Ecuador’s courier services, forcing logistics companies to rapidly adapt. Platforms like Temu, Shein, and Amazon have sparked a surge in e-commerce activity, leaving local couriers struggling to meet delivery demands. To keep up, major distributors have begun partnering with small businesses and individuals to expand last-mile delivery networks across the country.
Record-Breaking Import Growth
The scale of Ecuadorians’ appetite for online shopping is unprecedented. In 2024, imports through online purchases soared to $556.1 million—a staggering 50.5% increase from the same period in 2023, according to data from the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE). Even more striking is the sheer weight of incoming goods. In 2023, postal traffic accounted for 8.7 metric tons of deliveries; in 2024, that number skyrocketed to 13.9 metric tons, a nearly 60% increase.
The rapid rise in imports has put enormous strain on logistics providers. Major courier firms, including TMC Grupo Tramaco, Servientrega, and Laarcourier, have scrambled to expand their networks by onboarding independent distributors. This model allows individuals and small businesses to operate delivery points, earning commissions for handling incoming shipments.
A New Business Opportunity
For many, the e-commerce boom has become an unexpected economic opportunity. Andrés Campos, who works at a small Servientrega-affiliated delivery point in Conocoto, has seen his workplace transform. Initially a household cleaning products store, the shop’s shelves are now dominated by the distinctive grey packages of Temu. Campos notes a sharp increase in package volume, particularly around the holiday season, with a brief lull during Chinese New Year before demand picked up again in February.
“This place has changed completely,” Campos explains. “Before, the owners stocked disinfectants. Now, most products are delivered on demand, and the shop operates primarily as a package collection point. The business gets a commission for each package handled.”
Exploding Demand Stresses Infrastructure
TMC Grupo Tramaco, one of the largest logistics operators in Ecuador, illustrates the scale of the challenge. Antonio Cedeño, the company’s general manager, describes how the surge in orders forced them to rethink their distribution model. “We started handling Temu packages in July 2024,” he says. “At first, we processed about 5,000 shipments per month. By September, after integrating our systems with the Chinese platform, that number skyrocketed to 10,000 orders per day.”
Three major issues emerged: incorrect or incomplete addresses, security concerns in high-crime areas, and overwhelmed customs processing.
Ecuador’s infrastructure was not prepared for this surge, and customs bottlenecks became a significant hurdle. Meanwhile, international retailers like Temu demand strict delivery timelines, adding pressure to an already strained system.
To cope, Tramaco turned to local entrepreneurs. “We had to expand our network fast,” Cedeño explains. “We invited individuals and small businesses to become delivery partners. About 500 people have joined so far, and many have hired their own couriers. The economic ripple effect has been incredible.”
The 4×4 Policy Debate Resurfaces
The dramatic rise in online shopping has reignited debate over Ecuador’s 4×4 import system—a policy originally designed to help migrants send packages home. Established in 2008, the system allows duty-free imports of packages weighing up to four kilograms and valued at up to $400. In 2014, a $42 tariff was imposed, but this fee was eliminated in 2021, making online shopping even more attractive.
Now, local industries, particularly Ecuador’s textile sector, are pushing for restrictions. The Ecuadorian Association of Express and Courier Companies (Asemec) is reviewing the data, while the Association of Textile Industrialists of Ecuador (AITE) reports that domestic textile sales have plummeted by 60%, attributing the decline to cheap imports from Chinese platforms.
As policymakers weigh their options, Ecuador’s logistics sector continues to expand to meet demand. Whether the government intervenes or not, the influx of online purchases is reshaping commerce, employment, and economic structures across the country.
I stepped in the door of the Servientega office here recently to give them a cheer and a thumbs up. They are superior, calling the day before or the morning of a delivery. Can’t say enough good things about this courier!
You do not have addresses for homes, apartments and businesses which causes delay in getting a package delivered. Start with the center of the city and put addresses going north, south, east and west with every block has 100 numbers then 200 numbers etc.
I have been importing items from TEMU for personal use in Miami and my home in Ecuador. While the delivery time is quite reliable, with a variance of ±2 days, my experience with product quality has been disappointing. The same product shipped to the United States is decent, whereas the ones sent to Ecuador (and possibly the rest of Latin America) are of significantly lower quality.