In Ecuadorian customs clearance, paperwork is 80% of the work. An invoice without a 10-digit HS code, a packing list with no gross weight, or a bill of lading with the wrong address is enough to hold your goods in port for 3 to 5 days while storage charges run. This is the checklist your customs broker expects from you before filing the DAI, the import declaration with SENAE, Ecuador's customs service.

Documents every import needs

  • Import Customs Declaration (DAI, Declaración Aduanera de Importación), prepared by the broker with the importer data.
  • Commercial invoice signed by the supplier, with a 10-digit HS code and a detailed description.
  • Packing list with number of packages, net weight, gross weight, and dimensions.
  • Transport document (ocean Bill of Lading or Air Waybill).
  • Cargo insurance policy on the FOB value (1.5% is typical).
  • Certificate of origin when a tariff preference applies (CAN, ALADI, ATPDEA).
  • Notarized power of attorney authorizing the customs broker to represent you.
  • Current importer registration in ECUAPASS, the Ecuadorian customs electronic system.

Documents by product category

Food, beverages, and cosmetics

  • Current ARCSA sanitary notification.
  • Certificate of free sale from the country of origin.
  • Approved Spanish-language label, or provisional label approval.
  • AGROCALIDAD phytosanitary certificate where applicable.

Electronic equipment with radio frequency

  • ARCOTEL type approval for the specific model.
  • Technical specifications of the equipment (frequency, power).
  • FCC, CE, or equivalent certificate from the manufacturer.

Motor vehicles

  • Current COMEX quota (COMEX is Ecuador's Foreign Trade Committee).
  • ANT type approval for the model.
  • Certificate of vehicle age.
  • Manufacturer manual in Spanish.

Textiles, footwear, and toys

  • INEN certificate of conformity under the applicable technical regulation.
  • Spanish-language label showing composition, size, and origin.
  • For toys: compliance with the safety standard and its warnings.

Common mistakes that hold up your goods

  • Invoice without a 10-digit HS code: the broker cannot file the declaration.
  • Address on the bill of lading differs from the invoice: customs suspects a double consignee.
  • Packing list without gross weight: SENAE recalculates and applies an adjustment.
  • Label in a foreign language with no translation: rejected at inspection.
  • Certificate of origin expired or with inconsistent data.
  • No power of attorney for the broker when the DAI is filed.

Recommendation

Ask your supplier for every document as an editable PDF before the goods ship, so you have time to review and fix errors. Any correction after shipment costs three times as much and can force a reshipment.

Daleki Trade consolidates the documents with the customs broker before clearance. You only approve the final version, without having to learn the format of each certificate.