'Couriers' estimate that importing under 4 × 4 will cost between 15% and 60% less due to the elimination of the $ 42 fee

Companies have promotions to attract customers this month.

With the elimination of the $ 42 fee that was charged until June 14 on 4 × 4 shipments, thecouriersor rapid emails estimate that the movement in this category may have growth of up to triple digits.

In recent weeks and after knowing the decision of the Foreign Trade Committee (Comex), thecouriersthey have turned to promotethis service in an attempt to capture a larger customer base.

The packages that benefit from the exemption of the fee must have a weight less than or equal to four kilograms and a FOB value less than or equal to $ 400. And there are also adjusted purchases made online.

Without the rate that was in force since 2014, the user only pays the value of the product and international shipping, which is a cost per kilo, although some companies charge per pound. This cost is calculated based on the weight of the order and varies depending on thecourier.

Aníbal Galarza, Expresito Carga executive, maintains that costs can range from $ 18 to $ 60, including handling, transportation, customs and delivery services.

Before the elimination of the rate, the 4 × 4 category had already been registering significant growth. During 2018, 604,000 4 × 4 shipments were made per consignee, representing $ 66.68 million. In 2019, shipments reached 635,000 and amounted to $ 68.64 million.

And last year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, movements shot up in this category B or 4 × 4, as 880,000 shipments were made for $ 102.75 million, according to data from the National Customs Service.

Roger Dimant,regional managerof Tiendamia, explains that the elimination of the tariff means a reduction of tariffs and shipping costs between 15% and 40% approximately.

With this, bringing items from abroad means a lower cost for the buyer. Thus, for example, the Apple Airpods Pro can be obtained at $ 228 when before its value was $ 270, that is, now it is 16% cheaper.

"In these first days we are seeing a growth of up to 500% in transactions," says Dimant, whose company charges $ 20.99 per kilo.

During this month, Tiendamia activated a “free shipping” promotion with Banco Pichincha cards.

Products that can be imported under this 4 × 4 modality are clothing, shoes, household items, tablets, laptops, cell phones, vitamins, among others. In the case of cell phones, only one can be imported per year and its value should not exceed $ 400.

Alejandro Montalvo,head of marketingDHL Ecuador, a firm that months ago introduced the DHL Latam eShop service for online purchases in more than 100 stores in the United States, indicates that consumers have a greater affinity for technological products that are not commonly found in Ecuador.

Among those products are smart watches or speakers, wireless headphones, video game consoles, graphics cards.

The executive estimates that with the elimination of the $ 42 fee, consumers can see reductions of up to 60% in the cost of their imports for personal use purposes. The firm charges approximately $ 5.50 per pound.

Montalvo recalls that there are items that by their nature cannot be transported by air and within the 4 × 4 mode such as fuels, flammable liquids, ivory, live animals or firearms.

For the father's month and for users to take advantage of the elimination of the tax, DHL Latam eShop, a service that allows you to buy without having a post office box, delivers a 30% discount on international shipping with the code "PADRE30" until availability is exhausted. .

In terms of number of users and volume of purchases, this company projects growth in line with the incidence of electronic commerce in Ecuador, up to triple digits by the end of 2021. (I)

Delivery times

In addition to the competition in rates, the companies ofcourierthey are also trying to make their delivery times faster and more agile to attract customers.

Aníbal Galarza, Expresito Carga executive, maintains that they have daily shipments from Miami and are focused on offering their clients better times.

Other companies such as DHL offer a time for receiving products in Ecuador, between seven and fifteen days maximum. "The speed of delivery is possible since they have two of their own planes that allow them to meet the demands of the current market", indicates Alejandro Montalvo,head of marketingDHL Ecuador.