Since October 1, 2025, China has ended the use of export licenses managed by third parties, requiring every export operation to be registered directly under the manufacturer or license holder. For companies in Ecuador that import machinery, electronics, textiles, industrial inputs, and other key intermediate goods for manufacturing and retail, this legal change can trigger immediate effects: supplier cleanup, contract reconfiguration, and possible pressure on prices and delivery times.

In the short term, Ecuadorian importers that relied on suppliers in China operating through intermediaries without their own licenses face a real risk of supply disruption. This compels an urgent audit of the legal and tax status of each Chinese counterparty, replacement of factories lacking a direct license, and prioritization of suppliers that can guarantee formal exports and full traceability. This transition will likely entail additional switching costs, adjustments in commercial terms, and logistical delays while documents, tax records, and supply chains are validated.

On the sourcing and financing front, fewer intermediaries and stricter compliance requirements are expected to push some price adjustments onto the importer, while concentrating supply among formalized producers. For Ecuadorian importers with high turnover or seasonal products, this implies bringing purchases forward, expanding safety stocks, and planning for longer logistics windows to avoid stockouts. Proactive inventory management and more flexible planning can make the difference.

In the medium term, this new framework also creates opportunities. Working directly with licensed manufacturers improves transparency, reduces the risk of customs rejections, and strengthens compliance with local requirements on origin, valuation, and quality. Companies that restructure their supplier base in China, formalize contracts with compliance clauses, and optimize anticipatory logistics can secure a stable competitive advantage next year.

What can Ecuadorian importers do now?
• Audit all Chinese suppliers: confirm they hold their own export license and meet tax obligations in China.
• Review and update contracts: include clauses covering regulatory compliance, documentary responsibility, and adjustment mechanisms if the regulatory framework changes.
• Diversify sources: while formal Chinese supply chains consolidate, simultaneously evaluate alternative suppliers in Asia or Latin America for critical inputs.
• Strengthen logistics and inventory: secure consolidation capacity, plan for longer production lead times, and establish safety stock for fast-moving goods.
• Build strong documentary compliance processes: standardize export document packs (invoice, packing list, certificates, license) and verify them prior to shipment.

In short, the elimination of third-party licenses in China raises the compliance bar and may create cost and lead-time tensions during the transition, while opening the door to more reliable and efficient supply chains. Ecuadorian importers that act early—with contract adjustments and improved logistics planning—can mitigate the initial shock and position themselves more solidly for next year’s challenges.