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The designated operator of Ecuador, Empresa Pública Servicios Postales del Ecuador (SPE EP), wishes to inform Union member countries and their designated operators that the Government of Ecuador has amended the national customs regulations applicable to postal packages under the customs regime for postal traffic, in accordance with article 20 of the UPU Convention. Prior to this amendment, international postal items containing goods were exempt from customs duties and taxes when weighing less than or equal to 4 kg and having a transaction value of less than or equal to 400 USD, provided that the goods were intended for the recipient’s personal use and had no commercial purpose. Under the new regulations, only international postal items that meet all of the following conditions will be exempt from customs duties and foreign trade taxes: • Weight of less than or equal to 2 kg; • Free-on-board (FOB) transaction value of less than or equal to 2 USD; and • Content of goods intended for the recipient’s personal use and with no commercial purpose. All postal packages exceeding these parameters will be subject to the applicable foreign trade taxes in accordance with the various categories of the express courier customs regime. Category B items weighing less than or equal to 4 kg and with an FOB value of less than or equal to 400 USD will be subject to a specific tariff (provided the goods are non-commercial). For all other categories (C, D, E, F and G), customs duties and taxes will apply in accordance with their tariff classification, and in compliance with applicable tariff and non-tariff measures (if any). The categories of the express courier customs regime are available to all authorized couriers and foreign trade operators, including SPE E.P. SPE E.P. guarantees the shipment of printed documents such as books, letters, postcards, newspapers, photographs, or any other type of information contained in audio, video, magnetic, electromagnetic, or electronic media that are not subject to licensing requirements, etc., which may be legal, commercial, or banking in nature, but entirely non-commercial and not prohibited for importation. Such goods do not require the submission of a customs declaration. Likewise, parcels, pouches, or sacks containing documents or items known as “co-mail” entering the country through international transport lines, by their own means of transport, and for their intended specific use, will also be exempt from customs declaration. Consequently, international postal items containing documents (category A) are exempt from any weight or value restrictions. This measure aims to strengthen customs control and prevent misuse of the postal system for tax evasion through the entry of commercial products under exception and simplified regime categories. The provision will take effect on Wednesday, 20 August 2025 (eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette on 12 August 2025). We kindly request all Union member countries and their designated operators to take this amendment into consideration for all international postal items subject to customs control destined for Ecuador, in order to ensure compliance with the new conditions and to avoid delays or returns.
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