Shipping Heavy Equipment to Ecuador

The four ways to ship machinery to Ecuador

Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.

What the U.S. ships to Ecuador

U.S. exports to Ecuador by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade^[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.

A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.

Import duty on machinery in Ecuador

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading^[2]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.

The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.

Worked example: a $100,000 excavator

Import duty: 0% of $100,000 CIF is $0 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)^[2].

IVA: 15% of the duty-inclusive $100,000 is $15,000 (SENAE (Ecuador), checked June 2026)

Total duty and tax: $15,000, or 15% of CIF.

• Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.

Vehicles and other taxes

Ecuador (which uses the US dollar) restricts used-vehicle imports to those under 5 years old and applies an import duty plus 15% VAT (IVA) and a special consumption tax (ICE). Import licences/quotas can apply.

Source: SENAE (Ecuador), checked June 2026.

• Import duty: Import tariff by type (confirm by HS code)
• VAT: IVA 15%
• Other charges: Special consumption tax (ICE); import licensing/quotas may apply

Rules for used machinery in Ecuador

Used road-building (equipo caminero) and farm equipment may be imported only if it is 15 model years old or newer. Machinery over 3.5 tonnes also needs a Ministry of Infrastructure (MIT) non-automatic import licence before shipment. No U.S. trade agreement applies.

• Age limit: COMEX Resolution 51, Art. 3: used road equipment (equipo caminero), agricultural equipment and their parts may be imported freely only if the model year is within the 15 years before import. Subheading 8704.10.00.90 is included.^[4]
• Licence or permit: MIT non-automatic import licence (pre-shipment) for heavy cargo vehicles, machinery and road equipment of 3.5 t gross weight or more. File via the VUE single window with an apostilled spec sheet and RUC; valid 90 days.^[5]
• Documents: Required documents: commercial invoice, bill of lading, insurance policy, RUC tax number, certificate of origin when applicable. Also an INEN-1 certificate when applicable, plus gross and net weights per item. Clearance runs through ECUAPASS with a Central Bank e-signature.^[6]
• Conformity: An INEN-1 standards-compliance certificate is required when the product falls under an Ecuadorian technical regulation.^[6]

Documents for Ecuador

The papers a machinery shipment to Ecuador usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin
• Import Declaration
• INEN Certificate (if required)
• Equipment Specifications

U.S. export rules

What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.^[7][8]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.^[9][10][8]

Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.^[11]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)

An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.^[12][13][14]

Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations

Clearance notes for Ecuador

• Guayaquil is the main gateway; Manta serves as an alternative Pacific port.
• Confirm current import licensing/quota status with an Ecuadorian broker.

Questions buyers ask

Export checklist (PDF)

A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping Ecuador: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.

Nearby destinations

• Shipping Heavy Equipment to Colombia
• Shipping Heavy Equipment to Peru
• Shipping Heavy Equipment to Panama

All destinations in South America