There are people who, despite the recommendations of the authorities, choose to bring their products informally.
Those who buy in the United States from Ecuador have the option to search couriers They bring their official purchases, but acquaintances who bring the products on their trips are also usually chosen.
Although this practice is, according to Customs, something illegal, it is a reality in which several people rely on to obtain a source of income and consumers to pay less.
Karla is one of the people who have been doing this activity for more than a year. He comments that it seems a little “illogical” to say that it is something illegal, since there is currently no work in the country, and there are people who, due to family, children, studies, multiple reasons, cannot sit idly by without a job; and finding a market where you can bring your purchases and pay for them “should not be considered a crime as long as they respect the limits of items that can be brought”, and those who do can bring sustenance to their homes.
She says that the process is that each person buys what they want and sends it to an address in the United States, and then brings it to Ecuador paying by the pound or for a fixed value, usually in the case of electronic devices. Even the one that arrives with or without its box makes the product have a different value.
“For Black Friday people do buy a lot (…). Last year, November and December (were two) of the best months. Now, as there is this restriction in the country that the airlines can sell more than two suitcases to Ecuador, it has been more complicated to bring things unless you can travel with another person; whereas, previously, a person could bring three, four or five suitcases, ”says Karla, who adds that on these dates people take advantage of the fact that many discounts are available in stores since November 1, and that one of the products that most They are sought from Ecuador, but for now it is not so easy to get it in the US, it is the PlayStation 5.
Both she and other people with these couriers Informal workers take care that the things they bring are within the allowed size, weight, quantity and type of product. In addition, they comment that buyers, when buying, pay the exit of foreign currency and VAT, depending on the case, but this has not caused a decrease in customers, since even with these values and the cost of the brought the prices are better depending on the product, especially things from well-known brands. The same thing happens with electronics and character toys, according to account.
The same says Gabriel, who has been in this for a few months after being fired from the public sector. He comments that clients arrive on the recommendation of acquaintances and arts are made and the trip is promoted, from when to when they will leave and from when to when the merchandise is received. “It charges an average of $ 8 a pound and depending on the article as well.”
“This time of November / December is good, because people take advantage of Black Friday discounts, and in Ecuador they pay the thirteenth salary. What they ask the most is clothes ”, Gabriel points out.
In the case of Martha, she has had it as an extra income for four years, especially on special dates like this, in which she says that many toys are requested.
He adds that, in addition to having an extra income, it is a way to visit their relatives while paying for expenses, since with what is carried in a suitcase, depending on the case, you can get almost double a ticket. Although with the elimination of some taxes there is competition that has lowered the rate per pound, complicating those who have been doing this for years.
Another related work is that of the personal shopper, who go and buy what the customer asks of them and make a single charge for everything. Something that Marta’s sister, who lives in the United States, does, And just for looking for something in particular she has a rate of $ 20. For example, if you want specific shoes, she can search where they are cheaper, she passes the information to the client and he pays the price with the discount plus the search and the one brought, the sum being even cheaper than the initial price in the US or other countries. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
