In the prior post, I wrote “All non-food products are charged an additional 12% tax at the checkout.” — This is not quite true.
Yes, as a consumer, you are charged a 12% tax on imported items — food or not. On receipts, it’s labeled: “12% I.V.A.“. NOTE the “I” to the right of the price.
It also seems that there is an additional IMPORT TARIFF FEE paid to Ecuadorian customs when imported goods enter Ecuador because the price for many items here is MORE EXPENSIVE than in the USA.
Locally grown fruit and vegetables are generally LESS EXPENSIVE than in the USA. Of course, that depends upon which part of the USA you live in.
Interestingly, I don’t remember reading about a 12% import tax in any of the guide books with I read before coming to Ecuador. Please correct me with a comment, if I am wrong.
