icemeister
American expat in Ecuador
Forum posts
24
About me
American
Registration: 10 December 2015
Activity
Shipping / Importing a single large item (39 lbs) to Guayaquil by lebowski888
So it looks like I will be relocating to Ecuador in fall 2018. I'm currently in Guayaquil for the second time, each time I've stayed for about a month. I've done quite a bit of shopping at MegaKywi, mi Comisariato, the malls, etc. ...
Charlie--I have an expensive Persian carpet in Los Angeles--9x6--about 70LB or more- I am here in Quito on a pensioner visa--the company you mentioned will be a good idea to ship==? Do you know if the duty might be hefty--Thanks Dodd SDodd, they ... Read More
Shipping / Importing a single large item (39 lbs) to Guayaquil by lebowski888
So it looks like I will be relocating to Ecuador in fall 2018. I'm currently in Guayaquil for the second time, each time I've stayed for about a month. I've done quite a bit of shopping at MegaKywi, mi Comisariato, the malls, etc. ...
To add to Vicente's suggestion for Laarbox... Laarbox is part of Laar Courier which is partnered with TransExpress.com in Miami. TransExpress handles the shipments at the US end and Laar handles it after it arrives in Ecuador. They typically ... Read More
Importing of goods to Ecuador by expats. by Alberta Chris
Hey all, I am curious about those who have imported their good to Ecuador. I am curious about what is allowed and what isn't. In all honesty I don't feel like buying appliances and bringing them is a good idea and I love the hand crafted ...
Sandra Baquero's email: *** Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
Go back to Banco Guayaquil. I use them to pay all my bills online. Charlie B Read More
Importing of goods to Ecuador by expats. by Alberta Chris
Hey all, I am curious about those who have imported their good to Ecuador. I am curious about what is allowed and what isn't. In all honesty I don't feel like buying appliances and bringing them is a good idea and I love the hand crafted ...
I was a commercial refrigeration contractor and when I moved to Ecuador 4 years ago, I brought all my service hand tools, meters, gauges, etc as well as a vacuum pump, refrigerant recovery unit, oxy-acetylene torch set and numerous power tools. My ... Read More
IESS (Ecuadorian Social Security) Costs Increasing by vsimple
Nards Barley, posted a link to a CuencaHighLife article which stated that IESS (essentially public health insurance) will cost as much of 17.6% of an expat's income. This is developing news, but it looks like Ecuador for many people will be a ...
No posts, just an email ad I get from the online insurance company I used for my car insurance. Here's the page they link you to in the email: http://seguros.com.ec/publicidad/salud/ Read More
IESS (Ecuadorian Social Security) Costs Increasing by vsimple
Nards Barley, posted a link to a CuencaHighLife article which stated that IESS (essentially public health insurance) will cost as much of 17.6% of an expat's income. This is developing news, but it looks like Ecuador for many people will be a ...
Was going to ask what the general cost for private insurance was in Ecuador? Thanks for the breakdown CCC. Would seem unless private coverage spikes up - that it would be the way to go. Assuming the individual is in relatively decent health.I ... Read More
Basic necessities by Exskipper
I have seen references to a lack of paper products, and I saw someone planning to bring food-quality baking soda back from the US (for bathing, tooth brushing.....). Sorry if I missed other blogs with good info, but I'll ask about how to find what ...
The Tips bicarbonato de sodio contains boric acid and is intended as a cleaning agent...even though it says "Baking Soda" on the label http://www.calbaq.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23 As I understand it, ... Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
Nards, You can expect they will ask you to provide an IRS W-9 form: https://www.irs.gov/uac/about-form-w9 And who actually has a US Social Security Card? I've never had anyone ask to see it. Charlie B Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
I'm in Samborondon, Guayas so I have CNEL for electric and water is through Amagua. Neither would accept my Produbanco debit but they do accept my debit from Banco Guayaquil. I asked why the difference and Produbanco says their credit card ... Read More
Cuenca Banking by jerry39603
I am considering moving to Cuenca but one concern is the banking system there. Is it safe? Are there special rules about opening an account for Expats? What about ATM and finally do they accept debit cards or is it a cash society? Thanks in advance.
I pay everything online...electric, water, phone, cellular and internet. The rent I pay by bank transfer to the landlord. I pay at the supermarket and pharmacy with a credit card. I only use cash for services like bottled water and propane as ... Read More
Top Mail and Package Forwarding Services for U.S. Expats by Nards Barley
No, I am neither a moderator, expert or adviser. I decided to create this thread because I have been thinking about seeing if there are new services on the internet that may be better or cheaper than what I currently have, and I thought I would ...
I took a quick look at USDelivered.com and their shipping rates are way higher than TransExpress. For a 1 lb package to Ecuador, the cheapest listed is DHL at $36.00 whereas TransExpress would be $9.50. They don't mention anything about ... Read More
Top Mail and Package Forwarding Services for U.S. Expats by Nards Barley
No, I am neither a moderator, expert or adviser. I decided to create this thread because I have been thinking about seeing if there are new services on the internet that may be better or cheaper than what I currently have, and I thought I would ...
I had a card go missing when sent by regular post to Ecuador from the US. The one I did get took 7 weeks. Then had another sent from the UK by regular Royal Mail and received it in 1 week. Now I'll only use TransExpress/Laar Courier. The ... Read More
Top Mail and Package Forwarding Services for U.S. Expats by Nards Barley
No, I am neither a moderator, expert or adviser. I decided to create this thread because I have been thinking about seeing if there are new services on the internet that may be better or cheaper than what I currently have, and I thought I would ...
That is fast. TransExpress told me the mail is sent out twice a month, so you lucked out on this one. Read More
Internet shopping? by Lauratort
I'm so used to buying things on Amazon that I wonder if I'd be able to make regular purchases and have it shipped to my home in Ecuador. I'm learning, however, that things don't work the same way and since I'm so GREEN, I have no idea if I'd be ...
Those ear plugs would likely be in a medical supplies category, so there may be no import fee and just the IVA and If the ship weight is 3 lbs, the shipping would be free from Amazon and $20 to Ecuador. Charlie B.That would be even better. I ... Read More