icemeister
American expat in Ecuador
Forum posts
24
About me
American
Registration: 10 December 2015
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. ...
Dodd, they have a handy estimator on their website which may be helpful, but it's best to contact TransExpress.com to get a quote. Register for free and call them. 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
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 ...
I believe the government has made changes to require private health insurers to provide more comprehensive pre-paid health care packages with coverage for pre-existing conditions and such. The idea being that this would take some of the burden off ... 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 ...
That would be even better. I wonder if they would ship vitamins under that category.You can send them an email with a link to the item (on Amazon for example) you want to ship and Laar Courier will get an answer for you. My wife buys supplements ... 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 ...
I had to get a part for my car (a VW) and the local dealers said it needs to be imported and I would have to pay the total of about $200 up front to order it. So....I started checking around online and found an online store in Latvia that sold it ... 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 ...
I usually normally use TransExpress.com in Miami. They receive your purchases (and mail) and then ship it to Ecuador where they have Laar Courier, a partner company in Ecuador, handle it on this end and deliver it to your home. There's no ... 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 ...
No annual fee with TransExpress. I think they did back when they were affiliated with Club Correos, but not now. 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 changed my residence to here in Ecuador. My US bank was OK with that, as were Social Security and IRS, so they send their communications via USPS which takes 7-8 weeks. I am OK with that. ;) TransExpress told me that any and all mail sent to ... 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's true, only one new phone per year per cedula. I don't know how the year is defined. Laar Courier handles such questions on the Ecuador end and they have a parallel website... Laarbox.com. Just create a service ticket, ask your ... 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 ...
Nards Barley, My phone arrived at TransExpress on Oct 18 and was shipped to Ecuador the next day. Because it's a cell phone the govt requires the phone's IMEI number be searched and registered in their database, so that took several ... 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 used EconCargo in 2013 when they were handling the freight for Club Correos and for a short time after the $42 tax was implemented. I started having a lot of unexplained delays and unanswered questions, so that's when I switched to ... 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 ...
The shipping cost I posted would be for an actual weight. A dimensional weight could cost more than that. I don't know offhand how it's determined, but if you go to their website try their Calculator. It can give you freight estimates for both ... 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 have used TransExpress.com for over two years for my internet shopping forwarder. Their service is excellent and the rates are very good. On the Ecuador end they use LAAR Courier for receiving your shipments, getting them through customs and ... Read More