Ecuador - Clearance

PRE-ARRIVAL

Autografo:

Ecuador now requires (as of August 2023) that all foreign flagged vessels entering Ecuadorian Waters have a sailing permit called an Autografo (permission to enter Ecuadorian Ports) - just like in the Galapagos. This is issued by the Naval Authorities. The Autografo must be applied for 30 days prior to your estimated arrival date as it requires 30 days for processing and must be obtained via a Marine Agency. Approx. cost $250-$300.

Prior laws allowed vessels under 50 tons to be processed by the ship's captain directly with the Port Captain. This has now changed and an agent must be used to secure the Autografo and clear in (however, in some ports you may be permitted to represent yourself, but this would have to be agreed in advance with the Port Captain).

See Clearance Agents.

If you arrive at an Ecuadorian port without an Autografo you face the possibility of being refused entry.

The Ecuador mainland Autografo is not valid for the Galapagos. See Documents for more details.

Notice of Arrival:

Ecuadorian regulations require that visiting yachts give the Navy 3 days notice of arrival.

Contact DIRNEA (GUAYAQUI_RADIO@ARMADA.MIL.EC) with the following information:

• Declaration of your estimated arrival date and length of stay in Ecuador;
• Copy of yacht registration;
• Documentation reporting the measurements and technical information of the yacht, including length, beam, draft, gross tonnage, flag nationality, official number and name of the boat, call sign and MMSI of the vessel;
• Copy of crew and passenger list, along with their nationalities;
• Copy of passports;
• Black water or sewage certification (If you dont have one, your agent can likely assist with creating one for you).

Once an authorization e-mail has been received from the Navy, forward this and a copy of your exit zarpe, crew list and passports to your port/marina of entry to expediate the clearance process.

Agents are once again required for all foreign-flagged boat less than 50 TRB (Gross Registered Tonnage). Many marinas act as agents.

Declaration of Traveler Health:

All visitors are required to present a declaration of traveler health (one form per person). The declaration is available on the Ministry of Public Health website

Link to Traveller Health Declaration: https://declaracionsalud-viajero.msp.gob.ec/

ARRIVAL

Ports of Entry:

Puerto Amistad, Puerto Lucia Yacht Club and Guayaquil Yacht Club, are the ports more familiar with visiting foreign yachts.

General Process:

On arrival, try to contact the Port Captain on VHF Channels 6 or 12, as Channel 16 is rarely used except as a general calling channel. The Port Captain may respond and advise on where to berth the yacht for clearance, or, will communicate these details through your agent.

There are four officials who will visit the vessel. Port Captain, Customs, Immigration, and a Sanitary Doctor (Health). They will likely all arrive at the same time and will deal with clearance on board the vessel.

• Port Captain:  Will want to see your zarpe from the last country, crew list, passports of all crew and boat registration. It's likely they will also want to see safety equipment and will complete a check-list.
• Immigration: Will want to see passports for all crew members and the crew list and will issue free 90 day tourist visas. See Immigration for more details.
• Customs: Will want to see your exit zarpe from your last port of call, boat registration, Captain's passport, copy of entrance stamp from Immigration,
  All visiting yachts are entitled to a one-year temporary import permit (known as a DJT (day-jota-tay)) and this is issued by Customs on arrival. See Documents for more details.
• Health: Will want to see copies of all crew passports and know the health status of all crew on board, proof of vaccinations (in particular Yellow Fever if under 65), health insurance and probably inspect medications and food storage.
  In some ports (Puerto Lucia is one) Health will want to see a Fumigation/Health Certificate issued for the boat within the last 6 months. If you do not have one the boat will need to be fumigated at a cost of US$150. The pest control company will come to the boat and spray the entire boat, including all lockers.

The new inspection requirements may place anti-drug police with a dog onboard. They have issued a zero tolerance mandate.

The skipper and crew members must remain on board until all inspections are complete.

Notes:

• The majority of Officials usually understand English but your liason's rates depend on "translating" for non Spanish-speakers.
• For details on clearance charges see the Fees section below.
• Be sure to have lots of copies of all documents available.

CLEARING OUT

Domestic Clearance:

Yachts sailing from one Ecuadorean port to another must obtain a domestic zarpe from the Port Captain, for which there is a charge, and notify the Navy of the intention to cruise domestically. Yachts intending to visit the Galapagos from Ecuador should see Galapagos for more details.

International Clearance:

Yachts leaving the country will require an international zarpe.

First visit the Port Captain with all of your entry documents and they will issue a zarpe. Then go with your temporary import permit to Customs. Finally visit Immigration with passports and a copy of the exit zarpe.

Last updated:  December 2023