Ecuador scraps 100% tariff on Colombian goods from June 1
Synopsis
Ecuador's 100% security surcharge on Colombian goods — escalated from 30% in January to its peak on 1 May — has been wiped to zero overnight. The rollback, ordered partly by the Andean Community and brokered after talks between President Noboa and a Colombian presidential candidate, ends a standoff that saw Colombia retaliate with 75% duties and cut electricity exports. Whether both sides now fully normalise is the key question.
Key Takeaways
Ecuador abolished its 100 per cent tariff on Colombian goods effective 1 June 2025 .
The surcharge had escalated from 30 per cent in January to 50 per cent , then to 100 per cent on 1 May 2025 .
Colombian retaliation included tariffs of up to 75 per cent on Ecuadorian products and a suspension of electricity exports.
The Andean Community ordered both countries to remove trade restrictions under regional bloc rules.
The rollback follows talks between President Daniel Noboa and Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella .
Exceptions to the original surcharge had covered oil, energy, and special customs regimes.
Ecuador formally lifted its 100 per cent security surcharge on Colombian imports effective 1 June 2025, ending a months-long trade dispute that had strained bilateral ties and drawn intervention from the Andean Community. The resolution, issued by Ecuador's customs authority, reduces the levy on all goods of Colombian origin or shipped from Colombia to zero per cent.
What the Resolution Says
Sandro Castillo, Director General of Ecuador's National Customs Service, announced the measure on his X account on Sunday, describing it as opening 'a new stage of cooperation between the two countries in security, trade and development.' Castillo added that the customs authority would ensure effective implementation to strengthen legal trade, regional integration, and joint efforts to combat illicit economies.
How the Dispute Escalated
Ecuador first imposed the surcharge in January 2025, citing border security concerns and what it described as insufficient reciprocity from Colombia in combating drug trafficking along their shared frontier. The rate was initially set at 30 per cent, raised to 50 per cent, and then escalated to 100 per cent on 1 May 2025. The measure applied to all Colombian-origin goods based on customs value, with carve-outs for strategic sectors including oil, energy, temporary admission, customs transit, re-export, and private tourist vehicles.
Colombia's Countermeasures
Bogotá responded by imposing retaliatory tariffs of up to 75 per cent on select Ecuadorian products and temporarily suspending electricity exports to Ecuador. Business groups on both sides had warned the escalating duties could disrupt supply chains, reduce trade flows, and cost jobs across the border region.
Regional Body Steps In
The dispute was formally referred to the General Secretariat of the Andean Community, which ordered both nations to remove the trade restrictions in line with the regional bloc's rules. The rollback follows talks between Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa and Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, after which Noboa announced the decision on Friday.
What Comes Next
With the surcharge now at zero, attention shifts to whether Colombia will reciprocally wind down its retaliatory measures and restore electricity exports. The Andean Community ruling adds a binding dimension to the normalisation, and both governments will be watched for follow-through on the broader security and anti-trafficking cooperation that Ecuador originally cited as the core grievance.
Point of View
And Quito's business community paid the price as supply chains frayed. The Andean Community ruling adds a cautionary note: unilateral trade restrictions within regional blocs carry legal exposure that limits how long any government can sustain them. The real test is whether the underlying grievance — drug trafficking cooperation along the shared border — is actually addressed now that the economic pressure has been removed. Lifting tariffs without a credible bilateral security framework risks repeating the cycle.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ecuador impose a 100% tariff on Colombian goods?
Ecuador introduced the surcharge in January 2025, citing border security concerns and what it called a lack of reciprocity from Colombia in fighting drug trafficking along their shared border. The rate was progressively raised from 30% to 50% and finally to 100% on 1 May 2025.
When was Ecuador's tariff on Colombian goods lifted?
The tariff was lifted effective 1 June 2025, following a resolution by Ecuador's National Customs Service. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announced the decision on Friday after talks with Colombian presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella.
How did Colombia respond to Ecuador's tariffs?
Colombia retaliated by imposing tariffs of up to 75% on select Ecuadorian products and temporarily suspending electricity exports to Ecuador. The dispute was also referred to the General Secretariat of the Andean Community for resolution.
What role did the Andean Community play in resolving the dispute?
The General Secretariat of the Andean Community ordered both Ecuador and Colombia to remove the trade restrictions imposed during the conflict, citing the regional bloc's rules. The ruling added a binding multilateral dimension to the bilateral negotiations.
Which goods were exempt from Ecuador's 100% tariff on Colombia?
Strategic sectors including oil and energy were excluded, as were goods under special customs regimes such as temporary admission, customs transit, and re-export. Private tourist vehicles were also exempt from the surcharge.
