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The rules for shipping vehicle?

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irishrk
  3/3/2013 19:31 EST

I am a new member to this site and look forward to future discussions with all of you!

For my first post I am looking for the final and most recent rules when it comes to shipping a vehicle to Ecuador. I have heard many different things recently so anyone who has any up to date info would be great appreciated!

I need to know the basics as far as make, model, how old, mileage, etc. is allowed in the country, if I am able to get past the import tax for a one time move, and any other info that you might be able to share with me.

Thank you very much for your time and help!

Ryan

DUNMOVN
  3/3/2013 21:08 EST

There are restrictions on importing you car to Ecuador. It can only the current or previous year. This is 2013 so the oldest car you can import will be 2012. You will also pay taxes and duty which may be more than the car is worth. In 2012 I considered importing my 2011 Toyota Prius and the estimated taxes and duty equaled the value of the car. I did not import it. You cannot get around the import tax unless you are a returning Ecuadorian citizen. In addition, cars are not considered personal or household items. I would think twice about importing a car.

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lional
  3/3/2013 21:47 EST

Unless you are a returning Ecuadorian you will have to pay import duties on any auto you bring in and the auto must meet strict requirements as to engine size and age or even more duties are due. At present the tariff is about 40% which means it is cheaper to buy here than to bring in your car. My question to you though is why do you want to bring a car in. Taxis are abundant and cheap, buses go everywhere and are even cheaper and the drivers here are crazy not to mention street and highways are poorly marked and parking in the cities is as crazy as the drivers. And finally, should you become involved in an accident, who do you think will be blamed? Think about it and spend some time here before you start making assumptions about what you need here.Walking is a wonderful exercise and will add health and years to your life. And it is a great way to meet people and see the country.

ainglis
  3/4/2013 02:52 EST

I was told by a former Ecuadorian official that the free importation of vehicles used to extend beyond just returning Ecuadorians to new residents as well. One vehicle per person with an engagement not to sell for 4-5 years.

However, the benefit was abused by the wave new residents, who would import vehicles and sell them quickly at a very tidy profit. The government responded by removing the benefit for these people.

Confirmation?

DUNMOVN
  3/4/2013 03:18 EST

That is absolutely true.

DUNMOVN
  3/4/2013 07:34 EST

Lionel is absolutely correct, I have been in Cuenca one year, I do not have nor do I plan on buying one. As a senior, busses are half price and I can get anywhere i need to go. I have lost 35 lbs and I feel great. If I really need a car, I hire one with an English speaking driver for $10 hour

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irishrk
  3/4/2013 09:07 EST

Thank you very much for the respinses and plse keep them coming!

I heard through a good local friend of mine that he could get my vehicle in with no taxes and reguardles of year etc. Anyone know if he is correct or not or if that rule has changed too?

I know that some people have said that busses and taxis are great but I still need a truck of my own. I have been to Ecuador many times and have used the local transportations, but for longer rides I would like my vehicle.

lional
  3/4/2013 09:09 EST

Only Ecuadorians who are returning to Ecuador to live may bring in vehicles duty free. There are restrictions as to age, engine size and so forth but this is only for Ecuadorians who are returning to Ecuador to live.

lional
  3/4/2013 09:13 EST

There is no legal way your friend can get your car into Ecuador without paying the proper duties and following the rules. Either you are being scammed or you will be breaking the law. With the required inspections and occasional roadside stops you would be putting yourself at risk. I don't know about you, but I do not want to spend a single night in an Ecuadorian Jail.

DUNMOVN
  3/4/2013 09:18 EST

You friend's car would not even make it off the ship, customs will impound it and either sell to pay the fines and taxes, or ship it back where it came from at your friend's expense

irishrk
  3/4/2013 09:53 EST

Lional,
Yeah my friend is a returning Ecuadorian so that is why he was thinking he could bring it in for me. He is double checking on everything though bc he knows the rules have been changing.
He also said that I could bring the truck in on a visitor visa for the vehicle which would be good for 6mts, then redo it for another 6mts, but then i would have to drive it out of the country and sell it. Seems that way would be a pain in the backside though. I'd rather be able to keep it since I know how it was taken care of etc. I've seen the kind of trucks that are for sale in Ecuador and most of them are in very rough shape.

Donmvn,
Yeah, def rather skip the jail tours haha

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Silverwater
  3/4/2013 10:04 EST

The rules on returning vehicles are that the person bringing in the vehicle cannot sell it for five years. So it must be registered and licensed in that person's name for five years. Also the transit police will take a very good look at the documents pertaining to that vehicle. If your name should show up as a previous owner and you again become listed as owner that will likely trigger a fraud investigation. Personally, I would not want a very pricey item of mine to spend 5 years registered in someone else's name. That's a really expensive gift to give a friend.

lional
  3/4/2013 11:29 EST

I would be very careful. You and your friend could find yourself in some serious hot water. Also there still is the question, will your vehicles meet the restrictions for import? My advice is, if you must have a truck here (and believe me you really should try living here without having a vehicle first) you most likely will find what you want here.

If something goes wrong in your import plan you could find yourself in a lot of hot water and looking at some big fines, confiscation of your truck and perhaps saying hello to fellow inmates.

irishrk
  3/5/2013 08:35 EST

Thanks again to everyone who commented with their thoughts, advice and ideas, it is very much appreciated!

DUNMOVN
  3/5/2013 08:51 EST

That is very true and If you become a guest of the Ecuadorian goverment, that thing you will be sucking on in Jail will not be a pina colada.

martagabriela
  1/20/2014 21:08 EST

No more than four years old...msrp no more than $20000 .... engine no more than 3000 cc .... any make or model ....it is critical that the price be no moret than $20k MSRP or the car will be shipped back... it doesnt matter if you get a bmw on sale less than regular price because they will value it at the original msrp the year it was m ade.

lional
  1/21/2014 08:55 EST

Unless you are a Ecuadorian Citizen and returning to Ecuador to live you cannot ship a car to Ecuador from anywhere in the world without paying very large import duties. This has been stated here over and over and is absolutely true. There are many auto dealers here who will be happy to sell you a car whenever you decide you need one and at a price that is a lot less than importing the same car from the states and a lot less hassle. If you will read other posts on this subject on this forum and others you will find the same advice given repeatedly. If someone is giving you other information they are giving you bad advice and following it will cost you a lot of money.Again, ONLY RETURNING ECUADORIAN CITIZENS MAY BRING IN A CAR WITH THEIR HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND THEY AND THE CAR MUST MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA FOR THEM TO DO IT>

Grasshopper
  1/23/2014 10:07 EST

Ugh... does a motorcycle fall under the same rules as a car? Please.. only if you are sure of this. My Harley Police Electraglide has personal meaning to me. I know there's a dealer in Quito. I know I could just sell mine and buy a new one. But after 30 years as a "biker", I woman pulled out on front of me and all but destroyed us both. I was, after a long coma, repaired... and my bike was, miraculously, repaired and better than when I bought it. We are connected - I should really be dead. I would love to have it with me in Cuenca, and would pay whatever I had to for me ride to be with me. I don't need a car, I know several Taxi drivers a like to call because they are friends now and we always have spanish lessons (Julio, the older one, will not even let me speak in English... he will say, "no James, in espanol, por favor!) ...but my bike is a 2006. Any good information of this? ...anyone?

Grasshopper
  1/23/2014 10:10 EST

I guess if P**y and I end up getting married, I'll be a citizen and things will be different. I am asking as a resident on a pensioner's visa.

divehavn
  1/23/2014 10:34 EST

i have an '09 Ultra Classic which was purchased new - i was recently quoted an import duty of $18,000 to take it with me.

Grasshopper
  1/23/2014 11:23 EST

Oh wow... Hi Divehaven.. it's good to hear from you again.. we've not spoken in a while. (but my PADI C card is right here in my wallet - I'll get down to the coast as soon as I can).

But man! 18,000 for an '09? that's only a few thousand less than you probably paid for it. I bought my '06 in '08 (after it had been leased to the city for $1 for 1 year..). my friend who owned the dealership just did it mainly as a favor to the city. Unfortunately, he (Click Baldwin) died somewhere near Deadwood outside of Sturgis SD on a cross country ride we did with Kyle Petty.. (great guy) and his family chose, after a year, to close the dealership. I had bought the Glide for 17k cash.. and then after the crash, Bought it again for 10k. (I had changed insurance agencies and didn't realize my new policy was only liability.. No collision and they habded me two tickets once I came out of the coma - I was deemed responsible, even though the police report said she had pulled out in front of me. The speed (mine) was listed as "about" 100. Man, I had just pulled forward from a red light and just shifted into 3rd gear. I took that report to the chief of police and raised total hell (something I will miss being able to do..lol) He agreed that was impossible and had the rookie punk cop rewrite the report. the new one said I was doing about 50. It was more like 30 tops, but how can a cop "guess" 100mph and then reguess to 50? Anyway, I have bought it twice.. 27k in it now. I'll check on the charges.. if I can even bring an '06 into EC. I'd go 8k tops.. but more than that and I guess I'll just put here up for sale and see what Quito's dealer has to offer. Thanks for the info, Dive.. lets stay in touch

Hwy101
  1/23/2014 11:39 EST

@Grasshopper, you might be in for a bit of a surprise when You price motor cycles here.

I saw a Yamaha 300 for $36,000!

Shoot, I can almost get a Condo for that...

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