International Freight Shipping to El Salvador

➤ Get cost-effective shipping solutions to El Salvador with LAC! We offer the most competitive freight services in the Americas

Choose the best freight forwarder to safely transport your goods to El Salvador from the US and Canada.

Exporting goods to El Salvador, whether it is for the first time, or on a regular basis, can be a challenging experience. There are many elements to consider when shipping to a country such as El Salvador.

If you are in Canada or the US and not entirely familiar with the Latin American market, you should consider a cargo shipping company that knows the business culture, the language, the customs regulations and has a proven track record of success when it comes to freight shipping to El Salvador.

What Can You Expect in El Salvador?

Regulations, communication methods, and business etiquette in El Salvador differ significantly from those in the US or Canada.

Salvadorans, known for their warmth and friendliness, attach great importance to developing personal relationships in contrast to the more formal approach common in the US or Canada. Building informal business relationships, or ‘friendships’, is key, as they prefer to do business with familiar faces. Furthermore, their loyalty may be tied more to personal connections than to the company itself. Leveraging third-party introductions is also vital for business success in El Salvador. Having a respected individual vouch for you and your company can significantly boost your credibility.

Salvadorans are known for their flexibility and spontaneity, exhibiting a more relaxed approach to time management than Americans and Europeans. Though punctuality remains crucial for business appointments.

Language can also be a consideration. While many business executives are fluent in English, a good knowledge of Spanish is highly valued in building relationships.

Quick Facts About El Salvador (2023 Update)

• Capital: San Salvador
• Other Large Cities: Santa Ana, Soyapango, San Miguel, Mejicanos, Santa Tecla, Apopa, Delgado
• Population: 6,344,722 (2023 est., World Bank) (Urban Population: ~73.5%)
• Official languages: Spanish
• Time Zone: GMT -6
• Currency: United States Dollar (USD)

Economic Snapshot (Source: IMF – World Bank, 2023 est.)

• GDP: 30.28 billion USD (2022, World Bank) (GDP Growth: 2.6% (2022), 1.9% projected 2023, World Bank / GDP per capita: 4,810 USD (2022, World Bank)
• Inflation Rate: 7.0% (Avg 2022, World Bank)
• Unemployment Rate: 6.2% (2021 est., World Bank) – Latest available data
• Total Imports of Goods: 14.89 billion USD (2022 est., World Bank)
• FDI Inward Flow: 0.741 billion USD (2022 est., World Bank)
• Ease of Doing Business Score (2020): 84th / 190 (Note: The World Bank discontinued the Doing Business report in 2021)

Why Doing Business With El Salvador?

El Salvador, a fully dollarized economy, offers a unique and dynamic backdrop for companies seeking international expansion.

Historically tied to agriculture, the country’s recent market expansion has focused on manufacturing, particularly in sectors like textiles, clothing, and processed foods, often through local assembly plants known as maquiladoras.

The import market has experienced steady growth in recent years, with further increases anticipated. The USA is El Salvador’s largest trading partner, and its dollarized economy eliminates foreign exchange risk and streamlines transaction and financial costs. The new Central American Customs Union with Honduras and Guatemala, along with the Central America – Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), present attractive opportunities for exporters, eliminating duties on U.S. consumer and industrial goods. Additionally, there is strong potential for establishing local assembly plants across various industries.

The demand for shipping to and from El Salvador has grown significantly in recent years. Partnering with LAC strengthens your company’s cargo shipping capabilities to this market. Our seasoned professionals possess in-depth knowledge of El Salvador’s market requirements, ensuring smooth and timely import processes. We equip you with the tools and expertise needed to successfully navigate the Salvadoran market.

El Salvador Trade Overview (Updated 2024)

MAIN IMPORTS:

• Petroleum: Remains crucial for energy needs
• Medicaments: Essential for healthcare
• Raw Textile & Apparel: Key inputs for the textile industry
• Telecommunication Equipment: Driven by increasing demand for connectivity
• Vehicles & Parts: Both for personal and commercial use
• Electrical Energy: Supplementing domestic production
• Processed Food: Meeting consumer demand

MAIN EXPORTS:

• Textile & Apparel: Remains a significant export sector
• Packaging: Growing industry, catering to domestic and regional needs
• Plastic Products: Diverse range of products for various applications
• Sugar: Traditional agricultural export
• Forestry & Paper: Leveraging natural resources
• Food & Beverage: Processed foods and beverages for domestic and export markets
• Electrical & Electronic components
• Coffee

INDUSTRIES WITH STRONG BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:

• Manufactured Goods: Expanding beyond textiles and apparel
• Infrastructures & Construction: Public and private investments driving growth
• Furniture: Domestic and export potential
• Electrical Goods: Growing demand for appliances and electronics
• Plastics: Diverse applications in various industries
• Agriculture: Potential for high-value crops and sustainable practices
• Transportation & Logistics: Supporting trade and regional connectivity
• Tourism: Leveraging natural and cultural attractions
• Renewable Energy: Increasing focus on solar and other clean energy sources
• Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): El Salvador is emerging as a competitive location for IT and BPO services due to its skilled workforce and favorable business environment

PRINCIPAL TRADING PARTNERS:

• USA: Remains the dominant trading partner
• Central America (Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica): Key regional partners
• China: Growing source of imports
• Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic: Important trading partners in the Americas
• Spain: Traditional ties and growing trade
• Japan & South Korea: Opportunities for electronics and automotive trade

What Makes LAC Your Ideal Logistics Partner?

Navigating the complexities of international trade requires a logistics partner who understands the unique challenges of each market. Every country presents a unique set of laws, guidelines, customs regulations, documentation requirements, restricted goods lists, communication norms, and cultural nuances. To successfully enter the Salvadoran market, you need a logistics partner who understands Salvadoran culture, the business landscape, and the local language.

Our team of experts offers superior freight forwarding services and competitive rates for your cargo shipping to El Salvador. Our combined experience, extensive knowledge, logistics skills, and local connections will ensure a smooth start and guarantee that your goods are transported quickly, safely, and worry-free.

We prioritize your company’s success. If you’re aiming for a successful venture in El Salvador, Latin American Cargo is your ideal freight forwarding partner.

Import and Custom Particulars when Shipping to El Salvador

If you are sending merchandise to El Salvador by sea or air for the first time, guidance and support will surely be needed, as there are guidelines, prohibitions and restrictions to consider.

What Paperwork is Needed for International Shipments to El Salvador?

Documentation requirements vary depending on the category of goods being shipped, and can get quite extensive. They usually include:

• Commercial invoice
• Bill of lading / Air waybill
• Packing list
• Insurance certificate
• Certificate of Origin (if required).

To avoid delays or hassles when shipping to El Salvador, your packing list must be as detailed as possible. Vague wording like “miscellaneous” attracts negative attention and further inspections.

What Are the Regulations and Restrictions When Shipping to El Salvador?

Regulations can be strict on certain categories of goods being imported to El Salvador. Prior authorization or special permits may be needed for certain items such as agricultural products, processed foods, pharmaceutical, cosmetics or antiques. Prohibited commodities include certain used vehicles, used clothing and accessories, used tires, certain used machinery and all types of toxic wastes or dangerous residues.

Duties and tariffs are usually based on the total value of the shipment in question, and depending on how well-documented the cargo is, those values could be determined by the judgment of Customs Officials on the spot.

Shipping cargo to El Salvador is easier with LAC as we have overcome these obstacles many times and have developed a thorough understanding of the customs procedures.

Main Ocean Ports and Cargo Airports When Shipping To / From El Salvador