Export to El Salvador

Export to El Salvador: a 2026 guide for US manufacturers

5 min read · Updated 2026-09-26 · By the Fromerica team

El Salvador was the first country where CAFTA-DR entered into force with the United States, and it uses the US dollar as legal tender. In January 2026 it signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States.

CAFTA-DR: duty-free access to El Salvador

The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force between the United States and El Salvador on March 1, 2006. According to USTR, it eliminated tariffs on more than 80 percent of US exports of consumer and industrial products immediately, phasing out the rest over 10 years.

The preference only applies to originating goods. According to CBP, the producer, exporter or importer may support the claim with a certification, using a template or a free-form document. Give your buyer the origin information they need before the goods ship.

The 2026 Agreement on Reciprocal Trade

The United States and El Salvador signed the agreement on January 29, 2026. In the November 2025 framework, according to USTR, El Salvador committed to accept vehicles and automotive parts built to US safety standards, FDA certificates for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and remanufactured goods from the United States. Confirm entry into force before relying on these commitments.

Documents and registrations

Commercial invoice, bill of lading and an import license when applicable; sanitary certificates for fresh food, agricultural commodities and live animals; a certificate of free sale for food products.
Importers register products with the Superintendency for Sanitary Regulations (SRS); registrations are valid for five years.
US exporters can submit a federal export certificate issued by the FDA, USDA or NOAA; US meat products are exempt from the certificate of free sale requirement.
VAT on imports is 13% of the customs value plus the import duty. The US dollar has been legal tender since the Monetary Integration Law took effect on January 1, 2001.

US-side steps for every shipment

Classify the product with its 10-digit Schedule B number (Census Bureau search tool); the first 6 digits are the Harmonized System code your buyer uses for their own tariff.
File Electronic Export Information (EEI) in AES, through ACE AESDirect or a direct connection, when the value under an individual Schedule B number is over $2,500 or an export license is required. The USPPI or its authorized agent files it.
Check your export classification. According to BIS, items subject to the EAR that are not listed on the Commerce Control List are EAR99 and, in most situations, need no license, unless they go to a restricted end user, end use or destination.
Screen your buyer, consignee and end user against the Consolidated Screening List, which combines export screening lists of the Departments of Commerce, State and the Treasury.

Screen a buyer →Guide: how to export from the USA →Look up HTS codes →

Frequently asked questions

Can I use an FDA or USDA export certificate for El Salvador?

Yes. According to the International Trade Administration, US exporters can submit a federal export certificate issued by the FDA, USDA or NOAA.

Do I need to exchange currency to sell in El Salvador?

No. The US dollar has been legal tender in El Salvador since January 1, 2001.

Official sources

This page is general information to help you get started. It is not legal, tax or customs advice, and regulations change. Confirm current requirements with the official sources above or with a licensed customs broker, freight forwarder or trade compliance professional.