El Salvador may be the smallest country of continental America, but it has more than its fair share of big volcanic eruptions and biodiversity.
Notable amongst those include:
Izalco - El Salvador's best known active volcano, also called 'The Lighthouse of the Pacific'
Home to 100s of species of trees, tropical birds, butterflies, and marine fish
Host to six terrestrial ecosystems
E-commerce may have had a slow start in El Salvador compared to its neighbours, but it is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 11% from 2021 - 2025. Combined with 50% of the population using the internet, and climbing steadily, this country should be on Canadians' shipping radar. Not only is the USD El Salvador's official currency, Canada is also home to a significant Salvadoran diaspora.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to El Salvador through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to El Salvador. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to El Salvador
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 1, 2023
8:49 am
San Miguel, SM, SV
Delivered
May 31, 2023
7:18 am
Santa Ana, SA, SV
In transit
May 30, 2023
9:03 pm
Soyapango, SO, SV
International Clearance
May 30, 2023
8:14 am
San Salvador, SS, SV
In transit
May 30, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 29, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in El Salvador before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
All gift shipments entering El Salvador will incur duty and taxes even if the gift has a minimal value.
NOTE: Goods sent by relatives in Canada to a family member in El Salvador will be exempt from duty and taxes provided:
The shipment is small and is non-commercial in nature
They are for the personal use of the recipient
It has been at least 6 months since the previous shipment
The total customs value is $500 USD or less (about $625 CAD)
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment to an individual in El Salvador from an individual in Canada will be charged duty and taxes by customs authorities.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
If a business in Canada ships a gift to a business in El Salvador, the parcel will have duty and taxes applied to it no matter the value of the gifts in the shipment.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
Any gift shipment from a business in Canada to any individual in El Salvador will be liable to duty and taxes regardless of the shipment's value.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 El Salvador City 01001 El Salvador
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If your shipment has multiple gifts within it, be sure to wrap and tag each gift separately.
Also be advised that duty and taxes will be charged on all of the gifts even if they have negligible value.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 El Salvador City 01001 El Salvador
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Personal effects may be shipped to El Salvador exempt from duty for people who are moving to the country as a result of their work with a foreign government or similar agency.
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students shipping their personal effects to El Salvador for the purpose of studying in the country.
Non-students
Non-students, such as people affiliated with foreign government organisations, may ship their personal effects to El Salvador duty-free.
Moving Permanently
Salvadoran citizens returning to El Salvador to live permanently will be allowed entry of their personal effects duty and tax free up to the value of $15,000 USD (about $18,900 CAD).
The exemption is allowed on used and new goods, but the amount must be appropriate to the size of the household. Also, the items must be for personal use only; they are not to be sold.
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 El Salvador City 01001 El Salvador
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment for repair may enter El Salvador exempt from duty charges (though a guarantee will be required) for a maximum period of 12 months. (This time period is fixed and cannot be extended.)
Items Under Warranty
Equipment repaired under warranty in Canada may be returned to El Salvador exempt from duty charges except for those expenses not covered by the warranty itself.
Also, the piece of equipment must re-enter El Salvador no more than 6 months after its arrival in Canada.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Items no longer under warranty that are returned to El Salvador will incur duty on the value of the repair, parts, and any other expenses incurred (such as insurance and freight charges).
Sending Product for Repair to El Salvador
Products sent to El Salvador for repair will be exempt from duty provided they remain in the country a maximum of 12 months (no time extensions allowed).
NOTE: A guarantee deposit must accompany the shipment.
Returning Repaired Product to El Salvador
Products and equipment repaired in Canada will incur duty charges when they re-enter El Salvador except if they have been repaired under a warranty.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to El Salvador or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 El Salvador City 01001 El Salvador
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods and samples imported temporarily into El Salvador will be exempt from duty if:
A guarantee is provided
Stay no longer than 6 months in the country
They are not for sale
Are in a reasonable quantity for the purpose of the visit
Have been marked or stamped such that they are easily identifiable
Temporary imports may include the following items:
Goods for display at an exhibition, trade fair, or international meeting
Equipment to be demonstrated, such as to perform a test
Advertising materials
ATA Carnets
At this time, El Salvador does accept ATA Carnets for the temporary importation of goods.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 El Salvador City 01001 El Salvador
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
All sold goods will incur duty and taxes when they enter El Salvador. However, an exception is made for shipments of a small, non-commercial parcel to a relative in El Salvador. Provided its contents will be used or consumed by the recipient, no charges will be liable if the customs value is $500 USD or less (about $625 CAD).
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only occasionally ship sold goods to El Salvador, please be advised that all imports will incur duty and taxes. There are no thresholds below which duty or taxes are not collected.
NOTE: A shipment to a family member in El Salvador is allowed exempt from duty and taxes if:
Its value is $500 USD or less (about $625 CAD)
It has been 6 months since the previous shipment
The quantity of goods in the parcel is clearly for personal use, i.e. it is NOT an amount that could be used for commercial purposes
Regular shipper
As a regular shipper of sold goods to El Salvador, you should consult a licenced Salvadoran customs broker to ensure you follow all procedures required by the customs authorities.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Miguel Ángel Asturias Calle 24 3-81 El Salvador City 01001 El Salvador
Phone: +502 2208 7777
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 29 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with El Salvador. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into El Salvador, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods identified as prohibited will not be allowed entry into El Salvador. Those deemed restricted may enter, but they may have to abide by quantity limits or other rules.
Prohibited Items
Any material in any form that is considered to be against the social, economic, or political interests of El Salvador
Any item of any format that is deemed obscene
Films that are contrary to good morals, ethics, and customs of the country
The amount of duties and taxes on imports entering El Salvador is calculated using the CIF value of the shipment. The CIF value is the sum of the customs value plus insurance amount plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By determining the CIF value of a shipment sent to El Salvador, you will be able to predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
There is no threshold (de minimis value) on goods imported into El Salvador. Therefore, duty and taxes will be applied to all shipments regardless of their value.
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
13%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
The following products will incur an excise tax when shipped to El Salvador:
Soft drinks (10%)
Alcoholic beverages (variable, click here for details)
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to El Salvador from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
