In 195lt, exports and imports totaled around $100 million each. 

 Baiianas, cacao, and coffee are the principal exports. Shrimp are becoming 

 increasingly more iniportant as an export item. In 19314 the United States 

 received 65 percent of the total exports and accounted for 53 percent of 

 the imports. 



Export taxes 



Official export figures on shrimp were not available. Probably 

 about 65 percent of the catch was exported in 195h. 



There are no quantitative restrictions on exports except that 

 the national market must be supplied first. 19/ Export permits are required, 

 and export taxes are applicable. 



According to the Guayaquil Customs Bureau the only export charges 

 that companies with government contracts have to pay per metric ton (220ii..6 

 pounds) are: s/20 for port charges; s/iiOO export tax; s/6.52 for dockage 

 taxes; and s/30 in stamps for each permit. The total charges am.ount to 

 slightly over 1 cent per pound. 



The shippers maintain that they have to pay various additional 

 taxes. Their estimates of total export charges run 3 to )| cents per 

 pound. Among the additional charges which they claim they have to pay are; 



a. "Recargo cambiario" (exchange tax). For each net short ton 

 (2,000 pounds) of shrimp exported, exporters have to give the Central Bank 

 $100. This is returned in siicres at the rate of 15.15 to the dollar. 

 (Dollars on the open market cost s/17.60). This tax amoiuits to s/2U5 a 

 ton, or about $13.92. 



b. A "vigilancia" tax of s/lO per net short ton. 



c. A statistical tax of s/l per net short ton. 



d. A one percent tax on freight charges . 



e. An "asistencia publica" tax of s/3 per net short ton. 



If export shipment is to be made at a port outside of Ecuador 

 (Buenaventura, for instance) at least one, and almost always two, in- 

 spectors must be taken along. All of their expenses including salary 

 must be paid by the shipper. 



In addition to the export taxes there are certain other fees 

 that must be paid. There is an annual vessel charge per net registered 

 ton of s/25 for boats 5 tons and under, and s/50 per net ton for boats 

 over 5 tons. There is also a n -minal anchorage fee for boats iiot occupy- 

 ing docks. 



19/ According to the contracts of the operating companies they are obligated 

 to supply shrimp to the public at prices fixed by the Ministry of Econoiry. 

 These prices VJill not be less than cost of manufacture plus transportation 

 charges plus no more than 15 percent profit. Welfare agencies can purchase 

 shrimp at cost plus transportation charges with no profit to the producing 

 companies. 



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