Official System: Ecuador Formulario de Registro Aduanero en Línea (FRA)
2026 Quick Answer
Conditional Mandatory (Travelers aged 18+ or Head of Family group): (1) Mandatory on Arrival into Ecuador when carrying taxable goods exceeding duty-free personal effects ('efectos personales del viajero'); (2) Strictly Mandatory on BOTH Arrival and Departure when carrying cash, bearer negotiable instruments, or precious metals/stones equal to or exceeding USD 10,000.00 (or equivalent) under Art. 84 of the AML Law (failure to declare or false declaration carries a 30% to 50% fine of the total amount); (3) Required for non-resident foreigners staying <= 90 days who register temporary foreign currency on entry (> USD 3,000) to claim ISD tax exemption on exit. Note: Travelers visiting the Galápagos Islands must also obtain the separate Galápagos Transit Control Card (TCT, USD 20.00 fee). Travelers must submit the Ecuador Formulario de Registro Aduanero en Línea (FRA) (Up to 3 calendar days before arrival or departure). This digital declaration replaces: Paper Customs Registration Form (Formulario de Registro Aduanero físico).
Follow this exact countdown schedule before arriving in Ecuador so your QR code is ready prior to airline check-in.
| Timing Before Arrival | Window Status | Required Traveler Action |
|---|---|---|
| Before 3-day official window | Too Early | Prepare your passport and itinerary, or pre-submit early with NomadicMart (from $29) so our queue files automatically as soon as the window opens. |
| Up to 3 calendar days before arrival or departure | Window Open | Ideal submission window. Complete your Ecuador Formulario de Registro Aduanero en Línea (FRA) with passport, transport, and accommodation details to receive your digital confirmation. |
| 24 hours to 3 hours before departure | Priority Window | Submit immediately before airline check-in closes and save a screenshot or PDF of your SENAE FRA confirmation offline. |
| At departure gate / Ecuador arrival | Final Cutoff | Airlines and border control officers verify SENAE FRA completion prior to boarding or at the port of entry. |
Compliance tip: 100% Free SENAE Customs Portal: The Ecuadorian National Customs Service (SENAE) does not charge any fee to complete or generate the online FRA QR code.
Compliance tip: Conditional Mandatory vs. Universal: Unlike universal arrival cards, the SENAE FRA is only required if you carry taxable goods exceeding personal effects, carry >= USD 10,000 in cash/instruments/precious metals (Arrival or Departure), or are a non-resident tourist registering temporary currency (> USD 3,000) for ISD exit tax exemption.
Compliance tip: Up to 3 Calendar Days Window: The SENAE FRA datepicker allows submission from 3 calendar days before your arrival or departure date up to the moment of border inspection.
Compliance tip: One Form per Family Group: Adults (18+) traveling together with spouse/children may submit a single FRA covering the entire household and list accompanying minors under 18 in Section 3.
Eligible Passports: Generates a downloadable PDF with an official registration number (FRA-XXXXXXXX-YYYY) and 2D QR code scanned by SENAE customs officers at air, land, and maritime border checkpoints.
How Airport Clearance Works: Generates a downloadable PDF with an official registration number (FRA-XXXXXXXX-YYYY) and 2D QR code scanned by SENAE customs officers at air, land, and maritime border checkpoints.
| Code | Port of Entry | Mode | 2026 Operational Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| UIO | Aeropuerto Internacional Mariscal Sucre — Quito (UIO / QUITO) | Air | Main SENAE air checkpoint in Quito; supports FRA QR scanning and Galápagos TCT pre-clearance |
| GYE | Aeropuerto Internacional José Joaquín de Olmedo — Guayaquil (GYE / GUAYAQUIL) | Air | Main SENAE air checkpoint in Guayaquil; supports FRA QR scanning and Galápagos TCT pre-clearance |
| MEC | Aeropuerto Internacional Eloy Alfaro — Manta (MEC / MANTA) | Air | Active SENAE FRA air customs district (MANTA) |
| CUE | Aeropuerto Mariscal La Mar — Cuenca (CUE / CUENCA) | Air | Active SENAE FRA air customs district (CUENCA) |
| ESM | Aeropuerto Coronel Carlos Concha Torres — Esmeraldas (ESM / ESMERALDAS) | Air | Active SENAE FRA air customs district (ESMERALDAS) |
| ETR | Aeropuerto Regional de Santa Rosa — El Oro (ETR / SANTA ROSA) | Air | Active SENAE FRA air customs district (SANTA ROSA) |
| LTX | Aeropuerto Internacional Cotopaxi — Latacunga (LTX / LATACUNGA) | Air | Active SENAE FRA air customs district (LATACUNGA) |
| EC-8 | CEBAF Rumichaca — Tulcán (Land Border with Colombia) | Land | Selectable in SENAE FRA under Terrestre -> TULCÁN |
| EC-9 | CEBAF San Miguel — Sucumbíos (Land Border with Colombia) | Land | Selectable in SENAE FRA under Terrestre -> SAN MIGUEL |
| EC-10 | CEBAF Huaquillas — El Oro (Land Border with Peru) | Land | Selectable in SENAE FRA under Terrestre -> HUAQUILLAS |
| EC-11 | CEBAF Macará — Loja (Land Border with Peru) | Land | Selectable in SENAE FRA under Terrestre -> LOJA-MACARÁ |
| GUAYA | Puerto Marítimo de Guayaquil (GUAYAQUIL) | Sea | Selectable in SENAE FRA under Marítimo -> GUAYAQUIL |
| MANTA | Puerto Marítimo Internacional de Manta (MANTA) | Sea | Primary cruise port and seaport; selectable in SENAE FRA under Marítimo -> MANTA |
| ESMER | Puerto Comercial de Esmeraldas (ESMERALDAS) | Sea | Selectable in SENAE FRA under Marítimo -> ESMERALDAS |
Choose 'Ingreso a Ecuador' or 'Salida de Ecuador', enter your travel date (up to 3 days ahead), select Air, Sea, or Land, and choose your SENAE customs checkpoint.
Fill in your passport or ID details (must be 18+), flight/vessel/plate information, luggage count, contact details, and any accompanying minors under 18.
Declare whether you carry cash, bearer instruments, or precious metals/stones >= USD 10,000, temporary non-resident currency, or goods exceeding duty-free personal effects.
Accept the sworn declarations to generate your official SENAE FRA PDF with a unique QR code ready for inspection by customs officers at the border.
Regional & Border Corridor Advisory (Americas & Caribbean):
100% Free SENAE Customs Portal: The Ecuadorian National Customs Service (SENAE) does not charge any fee to complete or generate the online FRA QR code. Conditional Mandatory vs. Universal: Unlike universal arrival cards, the SENAE FRA is only required if you carry taxable goods exceeding personal effects, carry >= USD 10,000 in cash/instruments/precious metals (Arrival or Departure), or are a non-resident tourist registering temporary currency (> USD 3,000) for ISD exit tax exemption. Up to 3 Calendar Days Window: The SENAE FRA datepicker allows submission from 3 calendar days before your arrival or departure date up to the moment of border inspection. One Form per Family Group: Adults (18+) traveling together with spouse/children may submit a single FRA covering the entire household and list accompanying minors under 18 in Section 3. Severe Penalties for Undeclared Cash >= USD 10,000: Under Article 84 of the Ley Orgánica de Prevención, Detección y Combate del Delito de Lavado de Activos (RO 610, 29 July 2024), failing to declare or falsely declaring >= USD 10,000 on entry or exit results in an administrative fine of 30% of the total amount (50% for recidivism) plus criminal asset investigation. Separate Galápagos TCT Requirement: If your itinerary includes the Galápagos Islands (Baltra GPS, San Cristóbal SCY, or Isabela IBB), you must separately complete the CGREG SIIG Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito (TCT) online at siig-registro.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec and pay the USD 20.00 TCT fee (plus the Galápagos National Park entry tribute).
No. Since July 2025 (Resolutions SENAE-2025-0076-RE and 0077-RE), travelers entering or leaving Ecuador who carry ONLY tax-exempt personal effects and less than USD 10,000.00 in cash, bearer negotiable instruments, or precious metals/stones are exempt. You MUST submit the FRA if you carry taxable goods on entry, carry >= USD 10,000 on entry or exit, or wish to register temporary non-resident cash (> USD 3,000) for ISD exit tax exemption.
You can complete the online FRA up to 3 calendar days before your scheduled arrival in or departure from Ecuador.
Yes. An adult traveler (18 years or older) can submit a single FRA covering their accompanying family group and register any accompanying minors under 18 in Section 3.
Under Article 84 of Ecuador's Anti-Money Laundering Law, failing to declare or falsely declaring cash, bearer instruments, or precious metals/stones >= USD 10,000 on entry or departure results in a mandatory administrative fine of 30% of the total amount (50% for repeat offenses) and potential criminal prosecution.
No. The SENAE FRA is a free national customs declaration for international entry/exit. If you are traveling to the Galápagos Islands, you must separately complete the CGREG SIIG Tarjeta de Control de Tránsito (TCT) online and pay the USD 20.00 transit control fee before boarding your flight to Galápagos.