Ecuador’s new $20 fee on 4×4 courier shipments raises concerns for shoppers on platforms like Temu and Amazon.
A new $20 tariff on 4×4 courier shipments has raised significant questions among Ecuadorians, particularly regarding purchases made on international e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, Amazon, and AliExpress. The recent approval of this measure by Ecuador’s Foreign Trade Committee (Comex) has left many wondering how it will affect their shopping habits and costs.
The measure, which will come into effect on June 16, 2025, stipulates a fixed fee on all 4×4 purchases, a popular system used by many to import goods into Ecuador from overseas. While the announcement came on June 2nd, it is the specifics of how the new regulation will impact consumers and businesses that are still unclear.
Understanding the 4×4 Courier System
To better understand the implications of the new tariff, it’s important to first grasp what the 4×4 system entails. This system allows for personal imports of goods weighing up to four kilograms, with a maximum value of $400 per item. Ecuadorians are allowed to make up to four purchases a year under this scheme, with an annual import limit of $1,600.
The new $20 fee applies to all goods arriving under the 4×4 system, including purchases made on platforms like Temu, Shein, Amazon, and others. Despite the fact that consumers may not interact directly with a courier service, they still pay for this service when they buy products online. The fee will be applied at the point of customs declaration when the packages arrive in Ecuador.
The Timing of the Fee and its Collection
Luis Jaramillo, Ecuador’s Minister of Production, clarified that the $20 fee will be collected at the time the customs declaration is made when the package enters Ecuador. This means the payment will occur regardless of the platform from which the purchase was made, whether it’s Temu, Shein, or any other international website.
However, the timing of when the package is declared is important: if the package arrives before June 16, 2025, and the declaration occurs before that date, the $20 tariff will not apply. After June 16th, the tariff will be imposed per package.
Exemptions for Migrant Shipments
A notable exemption from this new tariff is for migrant shipments. Migrants sending packages to Ecuador will be subject to a different regime and must go through a special registration process. As a result, they are not required to pay the new $20 fee under the 4×4 system.
The Motivation Behind the Tariff
The government has justified the implementation of the new tariff as a measure to curb the growing misuse of the 4×4 system. There have been increasing concerns over the practice of individuals buying goods in bulk through the 4×4 system and then reselling them in Ecuador, which undermines local businesses.
According to the Ministry of Production, the textile sector in Ecuador for example, has been hit hard by this phenomenon, with losses exceeding $69 million between 2020 and 2024. During this period, the number of 4×4 shipments has surged by 637%, totaling 6.5 million packages. Additionally, the national footwear sector has seen sales fall by 8%, and the textile industry has witnessed a 7% reduction in employment.
The Role of Ecuador’s Free Trade Agreement with China
Some consumers are questioning whether Ecuador’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China, effective since May 1, 2024, will affect the new tariff. The Ministry of Production has confirmed that the $20 fee applies to purchases from any country, including China, regardless of the FTA. Therefore, goods purchased from platforms like Temu, which are primarily based in China, will still be subject to the $20 tariff.
What Shoppers Need to Know
As the June 16th deadline approaches, many are left trying to understand how these new fees will affect their shopping habits. The uncertainty surrounding this tariff—particularly in how it will be collected, who will be responsible for paying it, and its effect on online purchasing platforms—is leading to confusion.
Shoppers may need to reassess their buying habits and be prepared for additional costs on purchases from popular online stores. Whether this will encourage more local shopping or further complicate online purchasing remains to be seen.
I buy things on Amazon most of the items I buy have an import tax cost . My question is when I pay the import tax do I also pay the new tariffs of $20.00 ?
What about shipments from Tiendamia?
This government says they’re doing this to benefit the clothing and footwear manufacturers in Ecuador. So once the government takes its $20 from every order, how much of that will be given to the clothing and footwear manufacturers, and who in this government will decide who gets what? Or, will the government keep it all and do nothing to benefit the manufacturers? My money is on the latter.