Exporters set expectations for changes to send small quantities in courier category

There are modifications to export and to import certain inputs

Golden Sweet Spirit sells uvillas and other processed products in the foreign market. 20% of its client base are buyers who acquire small volumes. And these loads, being reduced, fall into an exportable category to be shipped by plane.

Dennis Brito, manager of this company, maintains that when they start a new business abroad, they first send samples and then small orders come until little by little the market consolidates. These small commercial transactions, however, are not easy to develop, since they have complications to go abroad due to high logistics costs.

The announcement made days ago about the implementation of new mechanisms that seek to facilitate this type of shipments through the courier It has raised expectations in entrepreneurs like Brito.

As part of the Exportando plan, the Ministry of Production and the Ecuadorian Association of Express and Courier Messaging Companies signed an agreement that aims to improve logistics, differentiated and reduced rates, and advice to make the process more agile.

This scheme is focused on promoting the use of courier To send products for commercial purposes. Currently, in that simplified export category are allowed sending less than 50 kg and up to $ 5,000. In those cases, entrepreneurs or microentrepreneurs must present commercial invoice of the Internal Revenue Service (SRI), specific tariff item, export form. The merchandise is exposed to the customs capacity.

Edith Villavicencio, president of the Ecuadorian Association of Express and Courier Messaging Companies, explains that the program has several aspects, such as training and advice to entrepreneurs and microentrepreneurs. In addition, there will be discounted rates to make shipping more affordable. "The idea is to increase cross-border export trade," he says.

The union leader indicates that the rates will depend a lot on the destination, the weight and the content, an aspect that may affect whether the owner of the merchandise wants to insure it. The idea is to have rates set for one year. They hope to polish details at a technical table with the new Government.

Boris Aguirre, manager of the Entregas group and president of the Foreign Trade Committee of Amcham Quito, affirms that the improvements will help develop business from client to client or directly from client to buyer. Consider that it is an opportunity to enhance theecommerce.

Products made with leather, flowers, handicrafts, toquilla straw hats may have the potential to expand into new markets, according to Aguirre.

The manager of Golden Sweet Spirit believes that not only the uvilla they export could have more opportunities, but also elaborated ones such as the red pepper of uvilla with passion fruit. "This gives the opportunity for entrepreneurs in other countries to start ordering products in small quantities, over time there is a potential for growth," he says.

As trade is two-way, the Foreign Trade Committee also made changes in category C, which are related to weight and allowed value. It went from 50 to 100 kilos and in value it changed from $ 2,000 to $ 5,000.

Aníbal Galarza, Expresito Carga executive, explains that this is a category focused on imports.

The resolution indicates that in the case of spare parts for the industry, for medical equipment or for means of transport, urgently required, a weight not exceeding 200 kilograms will be admitted in that category, provided that their value does not exceed $ 5,000 .

Brito points out that this change in category C can be another tool to help exporters, because special packaging for the products that is not available in the country could be brought in from abroad.