Ecuadorian authorities seize Chinese contraband

Photo: Servicio Nacional de Aduana del Ecuador.

According to a report by La Hora, Ecuador’s National Customs Service (Senae) carried out an operation in which Chinese contraband goods valued at $2.5 million were seized. These goods violated intellectual property rights. It is worth noting that approximately 60% to 70% of the contraband seized in Ecuador comes from China.

The operation took place at the maritime port of Guayaquil and was the result of an investigation conducted by the National Intervention Directorate. This institution had been closely monitoring three containers from the People’s Republic of China, which had been classified as high risk through prior tracking, satellite monitoring, non-intrusive cargo scans, and document analysis.

During the seizure, various Chinese-origin products were found, including caps, toys, electronic devices, vapes, clothing, and others. All these items were intended to enter the country without paying tariffs, using false documentation to evade authorities’ controls.

This operation stands out because, according to Senae, the total value of contraband goods seized in Ecuador each year usually ranges between $70 million and $100 million. Therefore, a single seizure of $2.5 million has a significant impact.

One of the aggravating factors of this seized merchandise is that it violated intellectual property rights. Because of this, authorities reported the case to the National Intellectual Rights Service (Senadi) so that this organization, together with the affected brands, could initiate the appropriate legal proceedings against this crime.

Furthermore, it is important to highlight that illegal contraband has a negative impact on the country’s economy, affecting tax revenue and fair competition in Ecuadorian commerce. In this regard, the private sector has provided data showing that contraband causes annual losses of approximately $1.8 billion.

Currently, Ecuador has various customs controls in ports and land border crossings. The main strategies used include scanners, physical inspections, high-risk profiling, among others. However, the large influx of contraband shipments, the presence of international criminal organizations, and technological limitations in customs make it difficult to effectively respond to these smuggling attempts.

To address these limitations, Senae has strengthened its strategy by working in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and the National Police. Additionally, it has upgraded inspection equipment in areas with the highest presence of illegal goods, such as Guayaquil and Huaquillas.

Main Source:

Golpe millonario al contrabando chino en Guayaquil – La Hora

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