Ecuador Air Transport Guide 2025: Airports, Flights and Costs from China

Multiple airports in China provide cargo services to Ecuador. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, etc. have their own characteristics. Multiple airlines cooperate, and the time and price are affected by the cargo. Charter flights are available, and attention should be paid to customs clearance, embargoes, and special requirements.

Airports with air freight services from China to Ecuador

Major airports in China provide cargo services to Ecuador, such as Beijing's Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai's Pudong International Airport (PVG), Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport (CAN), etc. These airports have many international cargo flights, especially to Ecuador. Ecuador's main international airport is Quito International Airport (UIO), located in the capital Quito, which is the busiest airport in the country and handles most international cargo. Another important airport is Guayaquil International Airport (GYE), located in Guayaquil, which is also an important cargo hub.
The following is a more complete information on air freight from China to Ecuador (Quito/UIO), including departure airports, airport codes, provinces, flight numbers, and frequency:

Hong Kong Airport (HKG) detailed flights
There are many flight options in Hong Kong with dense schedules. The following are the main airlines and frequencies:

Quito International Airport (UIO): Quito's international airport, Ecuador's main cargo hub, providing customs clearance and logistics services.
Guayaquil International Airport (GYE): The airport of Guayaquil, an important port city in Latin America, suitable for goods entering the coastal area.

Chinese airlines providing air freight services to Ecuador

Air freight services from China to Ecuador are mainly provided by international air cargo companies and some passenger airlines' belly cargo services. The cheapest is Mexico Max Airlines, which ships from Guangzhou in 3 days and costs 42 yuan per kilogram, but this price may not include miscellaneous fees. The fastest is Atlas Airlines, which arrives from Hong Kong in 3 days and costs 50 yuan per kilogram, but the lithium battery needs to be marked with the UN code. Remember: low prices may not include operating fees, and overweight or large items should be asked in advance! The following is a table of airline information on air freight services from China to Ecuador (Quito/UIO):

1. International cargo airlines
Air China Cargo: Provides cargo services from cargo airports such as Beijing and Shanghai to South America, and can reach Ecuador through Miami or other transit points.
China Southern Cargo: Departing from airports such as Guangzhou, stopping at European and American cargo airports (such as Amsterdam or Los Angeles) and transferring to Quito or Guayaquil cargo airports in Ecuador.
China Eastern Cargo: With Shanghai as the main departure airport, it covers the South American region including Ecuador airport through transit routes.
2. International integrated airlines
KLM Cargo: Provides cargo services to Ecuador via Amsterdam.
Lufthansa Cargo: Transit from Frankfurt, covering major cities in South America to Ecuador.
US Cargo Airlines: Door-to-door air freight service via Miami or Dallas, US.
3. Local airlines in South America
LATAM Cargo: One of the largest cargo airlines in South America, connecting to Ecuadorian airports via Santiago or Lima.
Avianca Cargo: Connecting China and Ecuador through a transit point in Bogotá.

The time required for Chinese air cargo to arrive at the Ecuadorian airport

The time for air freight from China to Ecuador is usually 3-7 days, depending on the route, transit method, customs clearance efficiency, etc. The following are the main factors affecting the transportation time and detailed explanations:

Transit hub: Transfers in Europe and America such as Miami/Amsterdam/Los Angeles are more efficient and usually take 3-5 days. Transfers in Asia such as Seoul/Dubai may take an additional 1-2 days.
Flight frequency: Shanghai/Beijing/Guangzhou and other major airports in China have dense flights, and the cabin is easier to match. Second and third-tier cities need extra time to collect goods.
Clearance speed: Ecuador customs clearance usually takes 1-2 days, but if the documents (such as invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin) are incomplete, delays may occur.
End Delivery: Urban delivery in Quito (UIO) or Guayaquil (GYE) is usually completed within 1 day, with additional time required for remote areas.

Document preparation: Commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill (AWB) are required, and some goods require certificate of origin or import license.
Prohibited items: Ecuador prohibits the import of second-hand electronic products, drugs (with special permits), animal and plant products, etc., which need to be confirmed in advance.
China → Ecuador (Quito/UIO) Air Transport Popular Route Timing Reference
If your goods are urgent, you can choose Mexico Airlines or Cathay Pacific Airways first, but please note that you must prepare everything in advance (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, etc.) to avoid long stays and affect your goods transportation.

Fastest: Mexico Max Airlines (3-5 days, 42.3 yuan/kg).
Balance: Cathay Pacific (5-7 days, 46 yuan/kg).
Lowest cost: US air multi-trip transfer (7-10 days, 43.5 yuan/kg).

Lithium Battery: Choose routes labeled "Lithium Battery Accessible" such as Mexico United Airlines 6R-873.
Large cargo: Panama Airlines (CM-323) single weight limit of 150kg, size 120 × 80 × 80cm.

Cargo charter flights from China to Ecuador airport

The following is a cargo charter flight information table from China to Ecuador (Quito/UIO) , including key information such as departure airport, destination airport, airline, aircraft type and remarks:
China → Ecuador (Quito/UIO) Cargo Charter Flight Reference Table

1. Air China Cargo: Provides flights from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Beijing Capital
Cargo charter service from PEK to Quito, Ecuador (UIO). The main flight numbers include CA1037 (direct flight from Shanghai to Quito) and CA1089 (Beijing to Quito via Miami). The operating frequency is 2 flights per month (5th and 20th) for the Shanghai route and 1 flight per week (Thursday) for the Beijing route. The airline uses Boeing 747-8F freighters with a maximum load capacity of 140 tons, suitable for transporting bulk cargo, high-value electronic products and medical apparatus, and provides priority customs clearance services.
2. China Southern Cargo (China Southern Cargo): Cargo charter flight from Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) to Quito, flight number is CZ5091, with two fixed flights per week (Tuesday and Saturday). It adopts Boeing 777F cargo aircraft, with a load capacity of about 100 tons, especially suitable for e-commerce goods, clothing and general trade goods. China Southern provides full temperature control services, suitable for temperature-sensitive goods such as fresh food and medicine.
3. SF Express Airlines (SF Airlines): Mainly departing from Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX), flight number O36901, can arrange charter flights according to needs (need to book 7 days in advance). The model is Boeing 767-300BCF, with a load capacity of about 50 tons, focusing on high-efficiency door-to-door service, suitable for express parcels, precision instruments and high value-added goods.
4. Russia AirBridgeCargo (AirBridgeCargo): Provide, from Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) to Quito irregular charter flights, flight number RU725, using one of the world's largest cargo aircraft, Antonov 124-100, single can carry more than 120 tons of cargo, suitable for large machinery and equipment, engineering vehicles and other oversized cargo. Need to inquire separately and apply for the cabin 15 days in advance.
5. Atlas Air (Atlas Air): Departing from Hong Kong (HKG), flight number 5Y802, 1-2 flights per week (dynamically adjusted). Adopt Boeing 747-400F, undertake dangerous goods (such as lithium batteries), precision equipment and other special goods, and provide full-process temperature control and real-time tracking services.
6. Luxembourg Cargo (Cargolux): Take Zhengzhou Xinzheng (CGO) as the departure airport, flight number CV987, twice a week (Monday, Friday). Use Boeing 747-8F, the main fresh cold chain transportation, can provide constant temperature cabin for seafood, fruits, etc., and assist in fast customs clearance.

Reference price for air freight from China to Ecuador airport

The cost of air freight from China to Ecuador will vary depending on several factors, including the weight, volume, origin airport, destination airport, airline, and whether additional services such as customs clearance are required . Here are some reference price information:
First, the basic air freight price

II. Price comparison of major routes

III. Special cargo surcharges

Lithium battery: + USD 3.0-5/kg
Cosmetics: + USD 1.5-2/kg
Medicines: + USD 2.0-3/kg

Constant temperature transportation: + USD 4.0-6/kg
Priority clearance: + USD 1.0/kg
Insurance: 0.3% of value
Price fluctuations during peak season
November - January of the following year: price increase of 15-25%
Chinese New Year: Prices up 10-15%
Ecuadorian holiday season: 5-10% price increase
VI. Precautions
Ecuadorian customs requirements: Commercial invoices need to be translated into Spanish, and certificates of origin need to be provided. Electronic products need SENAE certification
Suggestion: Book 7-10 days in advance and purchase transportation insurance.
Air freight prices from some airports in China to Ecuador in March 2025