Trade
Trade and Exports of El Salvador
El Salvador exported about $11.8 billion of goods and services in 2025, according to the World Bank, of which $6.4 billion were goods. It has seven free trade agreements in force, including CAFTA-DR with the United States since 1 March 2006, plus association agreements with the European Union and the United Kingdom.
- Free trade agreements, plus the EU and UK association agreements
- 7 + EU + UK3
- Free trade agreements, plus the EU and UK association agreements
- Exports to the United States, January to September 2026
- $1,662.3m4
- Exports to the United States, January to September 2026
Agreements in force
| Partner | In force since |
|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | 2001 |
| Chile | 2002 |
| Panama | 2003 |
| United States and Central America (CAFTA-DR) | 2006 |
| Colombia | 2010 |
| Mexico | 2012 |
| Korea | 2020 |
| European Union, association agreement | 2013 |
| United Kingdom, association agreement | 2021 |
Source: Ministry of Economy: trade agreements in force, Infotrade3
The United States
- Under CAFTA-DR all US industrial goods have entered El Salvador duty-free since 2015.
- An Agreement on Reciprocal Trade was signed on 29 January 2026; its framework removes the US reciprocal tariff on certain goods, including CAFTA-DR textiles and apparel.
- US tariff measures have changed several times since April 2025; check the current rate with a customs broker.
Source: Office of the US Trade Representative: El Salvador; US Embassy in San Salvador: US-El Salvador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade5,6
Importing
- DAI import duty from the common Central American tariff, from 0% to 40%, on the CIF value.
- 13% IVA on imports, and excise taxes on some goods.
- Free zone and DPA companies import machinery and inputs duty-free.
Source: General Directorate of Customs: which taxes are paid at customs?; General Directorate of Customs: Free Zones Law, consolidated with Decree 493 of 23 December 20257,8
Sources
- World Bank: exports of goods and services (current US$), El Salvador
- World Bank: merchandise exports (current US$), El Salvador
- Ministry of Economy: trade agreements in force, Infotrade (in Spanish)
- Central Reserve Bank: foreign trade statistics (in Spanish)
- Office of the US Trade Representative: El Salvador
- US Embassy in San Salvador: US-El Salvador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (in Spanish)
- General Directorate of Customs: which taxes are paid at customs? (in Spanish)
- General Directorate of Customs: Free Zones Law, consolidated with Decree 493 of 23 December 2025 (in Spanish)
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestSalvador.com for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.