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I began researching shipping companies to ship my household goods (HHG) when I seriously decided to retire in Ecuador. I got quote after quote, but all were exorbitantly expensive and I was not satisfied of their expertise with Ecuadorian Customs, and their ability to pick up and deliver my shipment to my home in Puerto Cayo, Ecuador. Finally, I was put in contact with Paul Wilches of Ecuador Relocation Services (RSE). Paul immediately emailed me with information to include the shipping process, how to inventory each box – a requirement of Ecuadorian Customs, and the customs process. Finally, we had a  Zoom call to go over the details. Paul always gave me the opportunity to ask questions and he promptly replied. I signed a contract with ERS in July 2024.  I then began the painstaking process of inventorying ever box that I wanted to ship, recording even the smallest of items. A representative of ERS picked up my HHG from storage on July 19, 2024. By August 12, 2024 my shipment was in the Port of Guayaquil. On August 16, 2024 Ecuadorian Customs inspected by shipment, which passed inspection the same day due to recording a meticulous inventory of ALL items in each box. By Tuesday, August 27, 2024, my HHGs arrived in the same condition as when I shipped them! Of course some boxes were a little worn and I inspected those boxes to make sure nothing was broken. I have not opened each box because I am renting until my house build is complete.

This sounds like a very simple process, and for the most part it is. However, since I did not have an Ecuador Visa at the time my HHGs arrived in the Port of Guayaquil, I had to post a bond with Customs to release my HHGs. I had to provide to Paul Wilches 3 certified copies of my Immigration Movement Report, meet Paul’s representative at Notiario 3 in Manta (I live in Puerto Cayo and it’s a 1 hour trip each way), to notarize my USA Passport and the 3 movement reports, then sign paperwork. The last trip to Manta, I signed more paperwork to release my HHGs and then post a bond so my shipment could be delivered to me. They bond money is refundable once I get my temporary Visa, and Paul will do that paperwork for me as well. Although this process required multiple trips to Manta, it was smooth and Paul Wilches of RSE took care of all the details for the shipment including dealing with Ecuador Customs. I would highly recommend using RSE to ship to Ecuador.