Noticias de Ecuador. Aduana Store Closures Can Have Drastic Consequences Although they look similar to the IRS Clausurado signs, those posted on businesses by the National Customs Service, or Aduana, can mean much more serious consequences, including permanent closure and jail time for owners. As of Wednesday, there were 14 Cuenca businesses, mostly restaurants, bars and clothing stores, that had been closed for customs violations. Businesses are given 30 days to prove that the merchandise they were selling was obtained legally. If they do not, legal charges can be brought against owners and the business will be closed. The Aduana is focusing on clothing and liquor since they are the most frequently smuggled items. Ecuadorian import duties on clothes and booze can amount to as much as 50% of wholesale prices, creating a lucrative illegal trade across the Colombian and Peruvian borders. In contrast to businesses closed by the Aduana, those closed by the IRS can usually reopen in one to two weeks, after fines are paid and offenders agree to issue receipts to customers.
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 13:24:01 +0000
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