‘Boom’ of courier shipments by local and migrant customers

Every two months, Andrea Ayala brings vitamins from the United States that she takes frequently and takes advantage of to make other purchases, such as some clothing or a toy for her cat. “It is cheaper and there is more variety,” said the nutritionist, who assures that thanks to the fact that it has become cheaper to import, she does so frequently.

There are 48 registered companies that offer courier services in the country.

In Ecuador there is a ‘boom’ of imports via the 4×4 modality (four objects that cost up to $400 and do not exceed four kilos).

Three factors point to the exponential growth of package shipments through this route: the elimination of the $42 rate, from June 2021, which also eliminated the parameter of five imports per year through this route or the $1,200 limit in the fiscal year.

This change promoted purchases due to its lower cost, which also generated a second factor: the sending of packages by migrants through this route.

And the third, according to the commercial sector, is the increase in imports to resell informally, which is a situation that worries them.

“The policy of the 4×4 delivery system has increased from 7,000 operations per month to 270,000,” Lasso said in recent days, pointing out that the policy that has favored Ecuadorian migrants abroad to send packages to the country.

According to data from the National Customs Service (Senae), imports via 4×4 grew 58% in 2021 compared to 2020. If compared to 2019, the figure more than doubles.

For Renato Zuquillo, an Ecuadorian migrant who has lived in the United States since 2003, sending via 4×4 courier has been convenient for sending gifts and items to his family. “In February I was able to send some shirts to my brother and it turned out to be convenient,” said Zuquillo, who works at a limousine rental company in New York.

“With the entry into force of resolution 006, which applies to the category By eliminating the fee ($ 42), the migrant saw that it is much easier to send materials from abroad through this category since they do not have to make a consular registration ”, explained Edith Villavicencio, manager of DHL and president of the Ecuadorian Association of Companies and Express and Courier Messaging (Asemec).

However, the exponential increase in purchases in this way worries the commercial sector. The explosion in imports is a symptom that not everything has to do with shipments of migrants or personal consumption, but rather with the bringing of merchandise from abroad for informal trade.

“It is not being brought for personal consumption, but rather it is being sold. Yesto generates that taxes are not paid. You generate a type of informality , which could simply be controlled before,” assured Luis Naranjo, head of Economic Analysis of the Quito Chamber of Commerce (CCQ).

In social networks it is common to see advertisements for clothing or items for sale brought from abroad. José Luis was fired from his job in 2021 and reselling merchandise became an opportunity to generate income.

The systems engineer imports cases for cell phones of different models and technological accessories. “ It has been a help,” she assured.

For Naranjo, although the measure is beneficial, limits should be set to curb informal trade.

• OTHER DATA

COURIERS.  According to data from the National Customs Service (Senae), 48 companies offering courier services are registered in the country. The firms are located in provinces such as Pichincha and Guayas.

MORE CONTROLS.  Since November 2021, Customs has detected several attempts to send packages with weapons and drugs via courier. Due to this situation, the authorities have mentioned that more controls will be implemented when importing through this route.

PRODUCTS.  The Customs has mentioned that among the products most brought by Ecuadorians through this route are clothing and technology. Other items such as video games are also among the favorites.