The Ecuadorian government has officially eliminated the so-called "Customs Service Security Fee" applied to goods originating in Colombia. The measure was formalized through Resolution No. 2026-0051-RE issued by the National Customs Service of Ecuador (SENAE), which establishes that, as of June 1, 2026, the fee applicable to Colombian imports will be 0%.
For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia issued a statement that, in accordance with the announced normalization of trade conditions and with the purpose of fully restoring symmetry in bilateral economic relations, it will also proceed to repeal the measures adopted to mitigate the distortions generated by the restrictions implemented by Ecuador.
Implications for companies
The elimination of this measure represents positive news for Colombian exporters, as it will allow nearly 2,000 national companies, mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, which have Ecuador as one of their main destination markets, to regain adequate access to that market.
Furthermore, the elimination of this surcharge restores the competitiveness of Colombian products against other international suppliers and facilitates the reactivation of commercial operations that had been affected by the imposition of the measure.
According to Ecuador's Ministry of Production, based on data from the National Customs Service (SENAE), the trade balance with Colombia showed a surplus for the first time in over 25 years during the period from February 1 to March 31, 2026, with an increase of USD 209 million. This surplus was due to Ecuadorian exports to Ecuador growing by 32%, while imports from Colombia decreased by 56,7%. The elimination of the Security Tax is expected to contribute to the recovery of bilateral trade flows and the strengthening of supply chains between the two countries.
For Colombia, the normalization of bilateral trade is expected to benefit all productive sectors, since the measure adopted by Ecuador affected the entire tariff schedule for goods originating in Colombia. In particular, the elimination of this restriction will favor those sectors that have historically relied on Ecuador as their main export destination, including processed foods, manufactured goods, construction materials, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and other industrial goods.
For its part, the elimination of the measures adopted by Colombia will allow the restoration of normal access conditions to the Colombian market for Ecuadorian products classified under the 191 tariff subheadings included in Decree 0455 of 2026. This is expected to lead to a gradual recovery of trade flows and greater stability for companies engaged in foreign trade operations within the framework of Andean integration.
Background
The trade dispute originated in January 2026, when the Ecuadorian government announced a 30% tariff on imports from Colombia, citing border security concerns and the existing trade imbalance between the two countries. Subsequently, the measure was progressively increased until it reached a 100% tariff on Colombian goods.
In response, Colombia adopted various trade measures on Ecuadorian products, generating an escalation of restrictions that significantly affected bilateral trade and regional supply chains. The latest decree, Decree 0455 of 2026, imposed tariffs of 35%, 50%, and 75% on 191 tariff subheadings.
Furthermore, in May 2026, the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (CAN) issued three resolutions concluding that both the measures adopted by Ecuador and the retaliatory measures implemented by Colombia were incompatible with the free trade obligations established in the Cartagena Agreement. Consequently, the CAN ordered both countries to dismantle the imposed trade restrictions.
Although Ecuador filed administrative appeals and legal actions within the Andean system seeking to challenge these decisions, it finally proceeded to eliminate the tax applied to Colombian products through the resolution issued by SENAE.
Araújo Ibarra International Business Consultants will continue to monitor the evolution of trade relations between Colombia and Ecuador and any regulatory developments that may impact bilateral trade.
Source:
Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia
X: National Customs Service of Ecuador
Bulletin prepared by Trade Policy and Defense: Trade Insight Newsletter June 1, 2026
