# Ecuador (EC)

**Capital:** Quito  
**Currency:** US Dollar (USD) (USD)  
**Population:** 17,966,573 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 256,370 km²

> Ecuador is an export-driven Pacific country whose main gateways are the Guayaquil seaport cluster (Contecon, TPG) and the deepwater DP World Posorja terminal. Key exports are bananas, shrimp, cocoa, cut flowers and oil, often in reefer containers. Customs runs electronically via ECUAPASS (SENAE); import VAT is 15 percent. EFTA and EU agreements grant tariff preferences. The main risk factor is the strained security situation, with cocaine smuggling in containers and gang violence along the coast.

Ecuador (ISO-Code: EC) is located in South America on the Pacific coast and borders Colombia and Peru, including the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific. Politically, the country is a presidential republic with stable institutions and democratic structures. The climate is diverse, ranging from tropical humid along the coast to temperate elevations in the Andes and subtropical conditions in the Amazon region. Economically, Ecuador is heavily reliant on raw material exports, particularly oil, bananas, and cocoa, while services and agriculture play complementary roles. Foreign trade is central, with export revenues supporting the economy, while the country remains dependent on imports of industrial products, machinery, and consumer goods. Strategically located seaports, such as Guayaquil, and an extensive road and airport network ensure the transit and logistics function for regional supply chains. The national currency is the US dollar (USD), which enables stable trade and financial transactions. Ecuador plays an important role in South American trade and in global supply chains, particularly through its export products and maritime connectivity. Infrastructure, geographical location, and political stability strengthen the country's position as a regional economic hub.

**Top Import Partners:** US, CN, CO, BR, PE

**Top Export Partners:** US, CN PA, CL, PE

**Top Import Goods:** Mineral oils, Machinery, Vehicles, Electronic devices, Pharmaceuticals

**Top Export Goods:** Crude oil, Fruit, Crustaceans, Flowers, Cocoa

**Key Airports:**
- [José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport (GYE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/jose-joaquin-de-olmedo-international-airport-gye)
- [Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mariscal-sucre-international-airport-uio)
- [Carlos Concha Torres International Airport (ESM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/carlos-concha-torres-international-airport-esm)
- [Chachoán Regional Airport (ATF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/chachoan-regional-airport-atf)
- [Coronel E Carvajal Airport (XMS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/coronel-e-carvajal-airport-xms)
- [Cotopaxi International Airport (LTX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/cotopaxi-international-airport-ltx)
- [Eloy Alfaro International Airport (MEC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/eloy-alfaro-international-airport-mec)
- [Francisco De Orellana Airport (OCC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/francisco-de-orellana-airport-occ)
- [General Ulpiano Paez Airport (SNC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/general-ulpiano-paez-airport-snc)
- [Jose Maria Velasco Ibarra Airport (MRR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/jose-maria-velasco-ibarra-airport-mrr)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** IVA 15 percent (as of 2026, SRI). Assessment base: customs value plus duties and levies.  
**Customs complexity:** medium  
**Customs system:** Electronic processing via ECUAPASS. Import declaration DAI by an authorized customs agent; registration as foreign trade operator (OCE) with digital signature required.  
**Customs authority:** [Servicio Nacional de Aduana del Ecuador (SENAE)](https://www.aduana.gob.ec)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Agricultural/oil export country with Pacific seaport hub  
**Economic area:** Andean Community (CAN)  
**Logistics risk:** High  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium to high

## FAQ

### Which customs system does Ecuador use?

Ecuador processes imports and exports electronically through the ECUAPASS system of the customs authority SENAE. Importers and exporters must be registered as foreign trade operators (OCE) with a digital signature; the import declaration (DAI) is made through an authorized customs agent.

### What is the import VAT (IVA) rate in Ecuador?

The general IVA rate is 15 percent (as of 2026, confirmed by the SRI). The assessment base for imports is the customs value plus duties, fees and other levies as stated in the import declaration.

### Which free trade agreements does Ecuador have?

Ecuador has an agreement with EFTA (in force since 1. November 2020, including Switzerland), the trade agreement with the EU (since 2017) and the customs union of the Andean Community (CAN). With the appropriate proof of origin, tariff preferences are possible.

### What are Ecuador's most important seaports?

The largest port is Guayaquil, with the Contecon (CGSA) and TPG terminals. The deep-water port DP World Posorja accepts large vessels. Other ports include Manta, Esmeraldas (oil) and Puerto Bolívar (bananas).

### What risks currently exist in logistics?

The security situation is tense: cocaine smuggling in containers (mainly in banana exports), gang violence on the coast and a state of emergency in 2025 increase control and reputational risks. Port operations nevertheless continue.

### Which currency is used in Ecuador?

Ecuador has been dollarised since the year 2000; the official national currency is the US dollar (USD). This simplifies international trade and financial transactions and eliminates the exchange rate risk against the USD.

### Which documents are required for import?

Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (B/L or AWB) and the import declaration DAI. Under preferential agreements, a proof of origin is added; for agricultural and health goods, SPS certificates may be required.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.aduana.gob.ec](https://www.aduana.gob.ec)
- [https://www.aduana.gob.ec/servicio-al-ciudadano/para-importar/](https://www.aduana.gob.ec/servicio-al-ciudadano/para-importar/)
- [https://www.aduana.gob.ec/servicio-al-ciudadano/para-exportar/](https://www.aduana.gob.ec/servicio-al-ciudadano/para-exportar/)
- [https://www.gob.ec/senae](https://www.gob.ec/senae)
- [https://www.sri.gob.ec/en/impuesto-al-valor-agregado-iva](https://www.sri.gob.ec/en/impuesto-al-valor-agregado-iva)
- [https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/ecuador](https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/ecuador)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ecuador-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ecuador-trade-agreements)
- [https://www.comunidadandina.org/quienes-somos/paises-miembros/ecuador/](https://www.comunidadandina.org/quienes-somos/paises-miembros/ecuador/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-22*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ec](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ec)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/ec](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/ec)*