Shipping Your Belongings: What to Bring and What to Leave

The Big Decision: Ship or Start Fresh?

Every expat moving to Ecuador faces the same dilemma. You stare at a house full of belongings and wonder which items are worth the cost and hassle of shipping across international borders. The answer depends on your budget, your attachment to specific items, and how long you plan to stay.

Here is the honest truth: most long-term expats who shipped a full container say they wish they had brought less. Ecuador has IKEA-style furniture stores, appliance shops, and markets where you can furnish a home for a fraction of what shipping costs. But certain personal items, specialty tools, and high-quality goods are genuinely worth bringing.

This guide walks you through every aspect of the decision so you can ship smart and arrive without regrets.

What to Bring vs. What to Leave Behind

Worth Shipping

• Sentimental and irreplaceable items — family heirlooms, photo albums, artwork
• High-quality kitchen equipment — stand mixers, cast iron cookware, specialty knives (these are expensive in Ecuador)
• Bedding and linens — quality sheets, towels, and pillows cost significantly more in Ecuador
• Electronics you already own — laptops, monitors, gaming consoles (Ecuador uses 120V/60Hz, same as the U.S., so no converter needed)
• Tools — power tools and specialty hand tools are overpriced in Ecuador
• Books — English-language books are hard to find and expensive
• Musical instruments — if you play, bring yours
• Specialty hobby supplies — sewing machines, art supplies, woodworking gear
• Medications — a 90-day supply of prescriptions you rely on (check legality first)
• Outdoor and sports gear — bicycles, hiking equipment, fishing gear

Leave Behind

• Large furniture — bulky sofas, dining tables, and bedroom sets are cheaper to buy locally and not worth the shipping volume
• Old appliances — washers, dryers, and refrigerators are affordable in Ecuador and come with local warranties
• Excessive clothing — Ecuador's climate means you need far less, and you can buy basics locally
• Anything cheaply replaceable — plastic storage bins, basic kitchenware, cleaning supplies
• Heavy exercise equipment — treadmills and weight benches eat container space; gyms in Ecuador cost $25-40/month
• Cars — importing a vehicle to Ecuador involves duties of 35-40% of the vehicle's value, plus inspections; buy locally instead

Shipping Options

Sea Freight (Most Common)

Sea freight is how the vast majority of expats ship household goods to Ecuador. You have two main options:

Costs above are for the ocean transit only, from a major U.S. port (Miami, Houston, or Los Angeles) to Guayaquil, Ecuador's main port. Add $500-1,500 for customs brokerage, inland transport, and delivery to your door.

Air Freight

Air freight makes sense only for small, high-value, or urgently needed items. Expect to pay $4-8 per pound, with a minimum charge. A 200-pound air shipment might cost $1,200-1,600 but arrives in 5-10 days instead of 6-10 weeks.

Baggage Shipping Services

Companies like SendMyBag or LugLess can ship extra boxes or suitcases for $100-300 per box, arriving in 1-3 weeks. This is ideal for people who want to bring a manageable amount without dealing with a full freight shipment.

Personal Luggage

Do not underestimate the power of extra checked bags. Most airlines charge $50-150 per extra bag on international flights. If you are making multiple trips, you can move a surprising amount this way.

The Menaje de Casa: Your Tax-Free Import Privilege

Ecuador offers a one-time customs duty exemption called the menaje de casa (household goods). This is one of the most valuable benefits available to new residents and understanding it correctly can save you thousands of dollars.

How It Works

• Available to anyone entering Ecuador with a resident visa (not a tourist visa)
• Covers used personal and household items that you have owned for at least 6 months
• Must be shipped within 6 months of your visa being issued or your first entry as a resident
• Items arrive duty-free — you pay zero customs duties
• This exemption can only be used once in your lifetime

Requirements

1. A valid Ecuador resident visa (professional visa, investor visa, retirement visa, etc.)
2. A notarized inventory list of all items being shipped, translated into Spanish
3. Items must be clearly used, not new
4. You must be present in Ecuador when the shipment arrives (or have a power of attorney representative)
5. Work with a licensed customs broker (agente de aduana) — this is mandatory

What the Menaje de Casa Does NOT Cover

• New items still in packaging (customs officers check)
• Items clearly intended for resale (multiples of the same item)
• Vehicles, motorcycles, or boats
• Firearms and ammunition
• Controlled substances

Pro Tip

If you are not yet a resident but plan to become one, wait to ship until your visa is approved. The tax savings easily justify a few months of patience. Duties on household goods without the menaje de casa exemption can range from 20-45% of the declared value.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Ecuador customs strictly prohibits the following items from entry:

• Narcotics and controlled substances (obviously)
• Firearms and ammunition without an explicit import permit from the Ecuadorian military
• Pornographic material
• Counterfeit goods
• Certain agricultural products — fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and plants without phytosanitary certificates
• Used tires
• Certain chemicals and hazardous materials

Items that require special permits or documentation:

• Prescription medications (bring a letter from your doctor)
• Pet food in large quantities
• Drones (must be registered with Ecuador's DGAC)
• Radio equipment and walkie-talkies

Costs Breakdown: Real Numbers for 2026

Here is what a typical 20-foot container shipment from Miami to Cuenca actually costs in 2026:

These ranges reflect 2026 pricing and vary based on volume, season, and the specific companies you use.

Timeline: How Long Does Shipping Take?

From the day a moving company packs your container to the day your belongings arrive at your Ecuador home, expect the following:

Customs clearance is the most unpredictable phase. Having a reliable customs broker and complete documentation speeds this up significantly. Incomplete paperwork can add weeks.

Recommended Shipping Companies

These companies have established track records with U.S.-to-Ecuador moves as of 2026:

• International Van Lines — full-service, handles menaje de casa paperwork, offices in Miami
• JetPak Ecuador — Quito-based, specializes in U.S.-Ecuador moves, bilingual staff
• Gringo Post Movers — expat-run, based in Cuenca, handles door-to-door from multiple U.S. cities
• 1st Move International — UK-based but covers U.S.-Ecuador routes, competitive LCL rates
• UPakWeShip — budget option for self-packed containers

Always get at least three quotes. Prices can vary by 30-50% between companies for identical shipments. Ask specifically about door-to-door pricing versus port-to-port, because the extras add up.

Insurance: Protect Your Shipment

Shipping insurance typically costs 2-4% of the declared value of your goods. A shipment valued at $15,000 would cost $300-600 to insure.

Always buy insurance. Containers can be dropped, flooded, or delayed in tropical heat. Your moving company may offer insurance, but read the fine print. Many basic policies exclude breakage and only cover total loss. A comprehensive marine cargo insurance policy from a third-party insurer is worth the extra cost.

Document everything before packing:

• Photograph every item
• Create a detailed inventory with estimated values
• Keep receipts for high-value items
• Video the packing process if possible

Electronics and Voltage

Good news: Ecuador uses 120V/60Hz electrical current, the same as the United States and Canada. Your American electronics, appliances, and chargers work without any converter or transformer.

Electrical outlets in Ecuador typically accept Type A and Type B plugs (the same two-prong and three-prong plugs used in the U.S.). You will rarely need a plug adapter.

That said, power fluctuations are more common in Ecuador than in the U.S., especially outside major cities. Invest in:

• Surge protectors for sensitive electronics (computers, TVs, gaming consoles)
• A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your computer if you work remotely
• These items are available in Ecuador but cost 30-50% more than in the U.S.

Tips from Expats Who Have Done It

After interviewing dozens of expats who have shipped belongings to Ecuador, here are the most common pieces of advice:

1. Downsize ruthlessly before you pack. If you have not used it in a year, you will not miss it in Ecuador. Sell it, donate it, or trash it.

2. Ship sentimental items, buy practical ones locally. Furniture made in Ecuador from local hardwoods is beautiful and affordable. Your grandmother's china, however, cannot be replaced.

3. Bring a year's supply of specialty items. Contact lens solution, specific vitamins, your favorite spices, and niche hobby supplies are worth the space.

4. Label every box in both English and Spanish. Customs inspectors need to match your inventory list, and clear labeling speeds up clearance.

5. Do not ship anything you cannot afford to lose. Despite insurance, the claims process can be slow and partial. Carry truly irreplaceable items in your personal luggage.

6. Time your shipment to arrive after you have housing. You need a confirmed delivery address in Ecuador. Shipping to a temporary Airbnb creates complications.

7. Budget for the unexpected. Storage fees in Guayaquil port add up fast if customs clearance takes longer than expected. Have $500-1,000 in reserve.

8. Consider a hybrid approach. Ship a small LCL container with essentials, bring extra luggage on your flights, and buy the rest locally. This is the sweet spot for most people.

9. Your customs broker is your most important hire. A good broker in Ecuador saves you time, money, and headaches. Ask other expats for referrals.

10. Start the process 3-4 months before your move date. Getting quotes, sorting belongings, and scheduling pickup takes longer than you think.

Final Thoughts

Shipping your belongings to Ecuador is a significant logistical and financial undertaking, but it does not have to be stressful. The menaje de casa exemption makes it financially viable to bring the things that matter to you. The key is being strategic about what earns a spot in that container and working with experienced professionals who know the Ecuador customs process inside and out.

Start your inventory today. Be honest about what you truly need versus what you are holding onto out of habit. Your new life in Ecuador is a chance to simplify, and your shipping container should reflect that fresh start.