MetroZona - Free Trade Zone Quito, Ecuador

Commencement of Data Transference in the Fourth Customs District has been Postponed
In the 24th CAE newsletter, sent on November 8, 2002, it was published that the starting date for data transference via the SICE system to be carried out in the Fourth Customs District (Quito) has been postponed until November 25, 2002. The original starting date was set for Monday, November 11, 2002.

October 28, 2002, Quito
The Customs Corporation of Ecuador hereby informs Foreign Trade Operators (OCE, by its Spanish acronym), of the Fourth Customs District (Quito), that as of Monday, November 11 of this year, the new SICE system will be in effect and that all transport information regarding the loading and dispatch of merchandise that enters the Freight Zone Area should be carried out via the CUSCAR and CARDAT formats, in the case of processing of freight, and via the DAUDAT format, in the case of processing dispatches, and all information should be sent via email to intercambio@cae.gov.ec.

The implementation involves all regimens and, from the above mentioned date onward, the SICE system will be the only active mechanism in place for the reception of information involving freight and dispatch processes.

October 16, 2002
In the early hours of October 15, in the city of Lima, Peru, the ministers of Foreign Relations, the Economy, Foreign Trade, and Agriculture of the member nations of the Andean Community approved the Common External Tariff (AEC by its Spanish acronym), establishing the levels at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20%.

The new tariff tax system, which will be placed into effect starting in December, 2003, is being extended to 62% of the region’s products, which, in turn, represent 4,200 tariff classes. With in respect to the 2,800 other tariff classes, the CAN General Secretary committed to resolve the issue before December 15th of this year, by which time the negotiations regarding the maintenance or elimination of the 15% rate will be held.

The decision adopted yesterday by the ministers will deepen the process of Andean integration, thereby, assuring the goal of establishing the Andean Common Market by the year 2005. Moreover, the decision will allow CAN to consolidate its negotiating position in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (ALCA by its Spanish acronym) and in the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR by its Spanish acronym).

October 14, 2002
The Directory of the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation (CAE by its Spanish acronym), determined to qualify, as of October 14, the companies BIV INTERNATIONAL S.A. AND BUREAU VERITAS INSPECTION, VALUATION, ASSESSMENT AND CONTROL BIVAC B.V., so that they can completely reestablish the Pre-shipping Verification services which they were originally authorized to carry out in Ecuador.

With this decision, the resolution adopted by the CAE Directory on this past October 1, is hereby nullified.

From October 22 to October 25, 2002, Cádiz, Spain
The VI Latin American Free Trade Zone Conference will take place. This business forum to promote investment and trade between Europe and America will allow Latin America free trade zone to promote the facilities they offer to European investors. Furthermore, the conference will allow Ecuadorian businesses make important contacts with possible investors, partners, and clients in Europe For more information about the conference, you can visit its official web site at www.viconferencia.zonafrancacadiz.com.

Metrozona S.A., at the request of the Zone's users, solicited from the National Council of Free Trade Zones (CONAZOFRA, by its Spanish acronym) a meeting with Ing. Jaime Santillán (the General Manager of the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation - CAE, by its Spanish acronym). The purpose of the meeting is to have CAE endorse the Manual for Customs Procedures for Free Trade Zones, with the end of completely eradicating all of the difficulties and impediments that Customs users presently face.

Update: Annulment of Resolutions 316 and 355
With the passage of Resolution 485 on September 20, 2002, CAE has annulled Resolutions 0316, passed on June 20, 2002; and Resolution 0355, passed on July 15, 2002.

Resolution 316 established the “ability to enter the country up to two shipments of merchandise, from the same provider, from the same country of origin, destined for the same importer, with a FOB value of under USD 4,000 within the period of one year which will be exempted from certificates of inspection of origin.”

Resolution 355 added the following to the end of the first article of Resolution 316: “exmempted from the Resolution are the importations of machinery, apparatuses and their repairs parts and accessories that are imported via air transport and via parallel mail (express or couriers).”
Resolution 0485, will be placed in effect on the 20th of September of 2002, regardless of its publication in the Official Register.

July 16, 2002
On July 16, 2002, the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation published Resolution #11-2002-R3 in Official Register #N619, which modifies the tariff regimen to be followed by verification companies as outlined in Annexes 1 and 2 of the Resolution. Click here to download the file.

Tuesday, July 16, Quito
Happy Dragon Ltd.'s (HD Logistics) first shipment of Hyundai vehicles arrived at the Free Trade Zone, to be received by Megamotors S.A. The automobile sector will enormously benefit from the advantages offered by the free trade zone system as do from the service of HD Logistic.

Wednesday, July 3, Quito
I in a session of Metrozona S.A.'s Director's Board, the qualification of two new users - BATIRFAY S.A. and AGROREPRAIN S.A. - was approved. Batirfay S.A. will carry out activity of a commercial nature in the Free Trade Zone, dedicating itself to the storage of various foreign products that will be traded throughout Ecuador and the rest of Latin America. Agroreprain S.A. will carry out industrial activities in the Free Trade Zone, producing plant food, 100% will be exported.

June 20, 2002
The signing of Resolution 316 by the Ecuadorian Customs Corporation on June 20, 2002, will allow two shipments of merchandise from a given provider, with a FOB value of up to $4,000.00, to enter Ecuador provided that it is destined for the same importer or consignee, with the exception of the inspection certification of origin