Correos del Ecuador
| 📬 Correos del Ecuador | |
|---|---|
| Type | Former state-owned postal service |
| Status | In liquidation (no longer operating) |
| Successor | Servicios Postales del Ecuador (SPE) |
| Alternatives | Private couriers, bus cooperative encomiendas |
Correos del Ecuador (CDE EP) was Ecuador's state-owned postal service. It no longer operates: the company has been in liquidation since 2020, and the government has extended the liquidation deadline several times. Postal services formally passed to a new public company, Servicios Postales del Ecuador (SPE), but its delivery performance has also been poor. For anything that matters, use a private courier or a bus cooperative's encomienda service instead.
Private Courier Alternatives
Private couriers are the most reliable way to send and receive letters and parcels:
- Servientrega — nationwide; good for domestic shipments
- DHL — international express; offices in La Libertad
- FedEx / UPS — through authorized agents in the region
- Urbano Express — growing domestic courier
See Shipping & Couriers for a broader overview.
Bus Cooperative Encomiendas
Most interprovincial bus cooperatives run a Servicio de Encomiendas (parcel service) to the destinations on their routes. It is often a cheap and fast way to send documents or packages within Ecuador.
- Drop the package off at the cooperative's encomiendas office at the terminal and pay by size/weight.
- Encomiendas are normally not delivered to the address. The recipient must pick them up at the cooperative's encomiendas office at the destination, usually with ID (cédula or passport).
- Keep the receipt/guide number and give it to the recipient.
Receiving Packages from Abroad
For expats, receiving packages from home countries can be challenging. High import duties and customs delays are common. Package forwarders such as Jetbox offer warehouse addresses in Miami for forwarding packages to Ecuador.
Incoming international parcels may be subject to customs inspection and possible import duties. Small items under $400 from abroad are typically exempt; larger or commercial quantities may face duties at Aduana.
History
Correos del Ecuador handled domestic and international mail, EMS express parcels, certified mail and P.O. boxes (casillas postales), with its main Peninsula office in La Libertad. Service was generally slower and less reliable than private couriers. In 2020 the government ordered the company's liquidation.