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Importing Valuable Collections?

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Womblingfree
  7/1/2021 10:27 EST

Hola. Have you or anyone you know imported into Ecuador a household collection of objects such as art, paintings, figurines, sculptures, rocks, crystals, or minerals?

I won't be bringing household furniture but I want to immigrate to Ecuador next year with my glass, crystals, and paintings intact. The glass sculptures are insured for around US$80K.

The company I'm inquiring with in Ecuador suggested I label these items 'household decor' rather than 'fine art' as that can trigger inspections and delays on the U.S. end of shipping. The U.S. does not permit anything that can be considered 'national patrimony' to be exported to another country without approval. (None of my stuff is that level but the delay and burden of proof would be on me.)

I'm concerned that importing my art collection may trigger a significant import duty at customs in Guayaquil. I also don't want to liquidate my lifelong personal collections prior to moving to live in Ecuador.

Any experience or advice on this?

kmoriarty45
  7/1/2021 12:03 EST

The company you are dealing with has the right idea. Simply label the goods as Household Decor. Deal with a reputable shipping company and make sure everything is wrapped to protect from breakage or damage in transit. "Fine Art" labels can trigger too many flags - and not just with Customs! Better to understate the value, rather than advertise the high-priced goods you own.

You're not "smuggling" goods, you are being truthful in that these items are going to be decorating your home.

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user001
  7/1/2021 13:23 EST

Also consider how it might be to export them out of Ecuador and back to your home country.

Simple fact is 50% of people leave within 5 years and 99% of people are gone within 10.

Womblingfree
  7/1/2021 17:11 EST

kmoriarty45, thank you for your reply!

I understand when you import your household items Ecuador customs requires a detailed inventory naming everything not just in vague terms such as 'home supplies' or 'gardening tools.'

Do they also require an estimate of value for household objects? Let's say they are looking at a box 24"x24" which weighs 20 lbs and is marked FRAGILE - GLASS, for example?

I'm planning on the Lift Van option since I won't have enough stuff to justify a full shipping container.

Womblingfree
  7/1/2021 17:20 EST

user001, thank you for your reply!

You make an excellent point. While I can't know what might happen to make me want to come back to the US, I'm in good health, have no family in the US, speak fluent Spanish, work online, and have been hoping to live the rest of my life through retirement outside of the US for multiple reasons.

Still, I might end up leaving Ecuador, but would more likely move to Colombia or Argentina or Mexico before coming back to North America.

gyuris
  7/1/2021 20:56 EST

Womblingfree:

Yes, that is correct. You need to make a COMPLETE list of EVERYTHING, like how many shirts, pants, socks, etc. etc. and also list their estimated value (even if you don’t know, you need to write in something like 10 cents each).

A.T.

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Womblingfree
  7/1/2021 21:09 EST

Gyuris, thank you for replying!

That's good to know. I'm going to get started well in advance of my move because that sounds like a lot of detail work.

Anyone else had experience related to this topic?

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