Many people do not dare to start the import process with Chinese products because they do not know the steps to follow.
Since we contact a supplier, until we have the merchandise in our hands, the procedure can be extensive and specific, this will depend on factors such as customs, our same supplier, etc.
Requirements to import from China
Before importing, the following should be noted:
- Be registered in the RUC (Unique Taxpayer Registry), as a natural or legal person.
- Obtain an electronic signature certificate (through BCE or with the company Security Data)
- Register in the ECUAPASS system as an importer through the SENAE website.
- Know how the product is classified in the tariff nomenclature. This will define which certification processes must be carried out (phytosanitary, zoosanitary, etc.)
- Contact a forwarding company to introduce us to trusted suppliers and a customs broker.
- take out insurance. This will guarantee coverage against damage or loss of the product during transport.
Necessary documents
When the port receives the products, there is a period of five days to present the required documents and have them accepted by customs, before presenting the additional documents.
1. Commercial invoice. They can be easily created in Excel or Word, indicating:
- Provider data: Name, Address, Telephone.
- Data importer: Name and fiscal number of the tax, contact person, address, telephone.
- Product data: Quantity, type, value in relation to the negotiated incoterm.
- Other expenses incurred (expenses destined to manufacture the product): Certificate of origin, some special certificate, shipping price.
2. Certificate of origin. Confirm that the merchandise was made and imported from China. Includes:
- Exporter.
- Importer.
- Product, price.
- Amount.
- Size and number of boxes.
- Commercial invoice number.
5. List of boxes or packing (signed). Specify the number of boxes and merchandise. Mandatory for all general shipments valued at more than 5,000.00 yuan with more than 2 pieces and over a weight of 100 kg.
6. Bill of Lading – B/L (for maritime imports) or Air Waybill–AWB (for air imports). They demonstrate the existence of the contract of carriage. They include:
- Ship/aircraft name.
- Container and seal number.
- Transportation and importer data.
- Port and date of shipment.
- Discharge port.
- Commercial invoice, value.
- mbox merchants.
Steps to follow
Once managed the RUC (Unique taxpayer registry) it should:
1.Acquire the Digital Certificate for electronic signature and authentication. It can be through:
REGISTRATION OF THE IMPORTER AS A FOREIGN TRADE OPERATOR (OCE)
2. Register in ECUAPASS. >>See steps to sign up<
3. Hire a trusted provider and with an export license.
4. Agree on the Incoterm before the operation for set the delivery terms and shipping costs for both parties. In China3 types are usually used:
- FOB (Free on Board): The Chinese supplier transports the goods to the desired loading port. Then, the transport to the country of destination depends on the importer.
- DAP (Delivered at Place): The seller has the product shipped directly to the destination country. This option is more expensive.
- EXW (Ex Works): The transport of merchandise does not depend on the supplier, the latter should only leave it in a nearby place for collection.
5. Management of the product to be imported. We must make sure to obtain a sample of the product before starting the process.
- We give the product information to our customs agent so that he can carry out the tariff classification according to the harmonized code.
- Inform the factory contact to the freight forwarder so that he can coordinate the process.
- The freight forwarder issues the transport documentation and informs us of the expected date of departure and the date of arrival.
- The customs agent will ask us for the necessary documents when the merchandise arrives at the port/airport to proceed with the import clearance.
- Taxes (tariff and import VAT) are settled and the DUA (Single Administrative Document) is generated, a paper that declares our import and authorizes the withdrawal of the merchandise.
6. Collection of the merchandise. The most recommended form of payment is letter of creditsince it is generated through banks and is regulated by international standards.
- The supplier will ask us to open a letter of credit at the bank, and when it has been received, the production and loading of the merchandise begins.
- The freight forwarder delivers the goods as the owner in the BL either AWB.
- The provider sends the documents to your bank, and this to ours.
- The bank gives us the documents (if there are no errors in the data) and pays the provider.
7. Customs clearance. In most Ecuadorian customs, there are three forms of payment:
– Freight payment: With International Credit Card or PayPal.
– Payment of 4×4 Fee: With international credit card, andeffective or PayPal.
– Payment of Specific Taxes: When importing out of the 4×4, there are two options. The first is based on paying the tax to customs accounts; this lasts approximately 24 hours. In the second, the client requests the Customs settlement number and goes to the indicated bank to make the deposit the same day.
What products can I import?
In Resolution 450 of the Comexare specified the products that need or do not need to present import control, andamong them: feedproducts, cosmetics, industrial goods, etc.
If tires, shoes or clothing are imported, it is necessary the certificate of origin and an INEN document that validates the quality.
There are objects that could cause shipments to be returned, for example:
- Those that may present a danger to employees, stain or damage other shipments.
- narcoticspsychotropic substances.
- Explosive, radioactive, flammable materials, firearms. etc
- Obscene objects.
- Lithium batteries.
- Items that require a cold chain (medications, perishable foods)
- Coins, bills, checks, platinum, gold or silver, precious stones, etc.
- Packages that exceed 4kg, or that its contents are valued at more than 400 dollars.
- Used cars.
4×4 system: This allows Ecuadorian citizens who are not in the country to send merchandise to Ecuador without paying taxes, as long as does not exceed 4 kilos and its price is below $400
- IMPORT OF TEXTILES OR CLOTHING: They can be imported both within the 4×4 and by Specific Taxes (in this case, it is allowed to import once a year)
- IMPOCELL PHONE RATE: It is allowed to import a NEW cell phone once a year with Specific Taxes (it is not imported inside the 4×4).
- IMPORT OF PERFUMES: The import of perfumes (not exceeding 300ml) is allowed within the 4×4, up to 5 times a year.
- CONSOLE IMPORT: Video game consoles can be imported into the 4×4, otherwise they must cancel more than 100% of their value.
How much does it cost to import from China?
This will depend on the carga. If it is LCL (less than a container load, it will depend on its weight or volume) or FCL (full container load, it will depend on the type of container).
In the case of Ecuador, taxes tend to be a little higher than in other countries. Products such as liquor or perfumes, clothing, footwear, and tires have high tariffs. Raw materials for industrial use usually have low tariffs.
It is essential to know the tariff classification of the product to determine the tax that must be paid.
- AD-VALOREM (Tariff Charged to Goods). If the tariff is, for example, 5%, the import tariff is 5% of the value of the product. Adds to Cost, Insurance and Freight.
- FODINFA (Development Fund for Children). It represents 0.5% on lto import tax base.
- ICE (Special Consumption Tax). Varies depending on whats goods and services to import.
- VAT (Value Added Tax). It represents he 12% on: Tax base plus all the fees already mentioned.
Non-industrialized food, milk, bread, sugar, medicines, among others, are exempt from the tax.
recommendations
>> Consider the time it will take for the package to get from China to Ecuador. By sea, the average time is 30 days; airway, 7 to 9 days. This added to the fact that customs could take longer than agreed or there are bumps in the process. Be patient.
>> Verify that all certificates and documents are correctly filled out. All values must match.
>> The provider can do a draft of all the documentation so as not to lose the information or have to redo a certificate.
>> There are websites that monitor scam providersuse this to rule out if other people have had a bad experience with it.
Benefits
- It is usually more feasible to import than to manufacture, due to the cost that this implies.
- In some cases, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) allow importing at lower costs.
- New businesses are created in the country, and even international companies establish their own branches in it.
- If the purchase is made directly from the factory, without intermediaries, it could be much cheaper.
cons
- The scams. Many people are disappointed to find that the product was not as they imagined it to be, or as it was offered to them.
- thefts. It is also something that escapes our hands; Even when the process is carried out correctly, the merchandise may be at risk.
- Bad providers. Sometimes purchases are affected by a bad provider, or even theft by the same.
- If you did not properly insure your product, customs may not be responsible for the physical damage that it may suffer.
The information, data, costs and documents collected in this article could vary in the process depending on many factors. To clarify doubts, consult a professional or an establishment specialized in commerce in the country.