Country Guide: El Salvador

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport
• Residence Permit / Work Permit
• Visa
• Numero de Identificacion (NIT) from the Ministry of Finance
• Certificate of Migratory Movement from the Immigration General Office
• Temporary Import Permit
• Bank Guarantee, if applicable
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory in Spanish
• Packing list
• Letter of Employment
• Certificate of Change of Residence
• Certificate of Residence Abroad (returning citizens)
• Diplomatic Franchise (Diplomas)

Specific Information

• All shipments are subject to inspection.
• The shippers must be present for Customs clearance.
• Household goods and personal effects are duty free provided they have been owned and used by the shipper for at least 6 months.
• The shipment must arrive within 90 days of the shipper’s arrival.
• Customs clearance takes approximately 2-3 business days.
• Items cannot be sold, loaned or disposed of during the shipper’s stay.
• Returning residents must have lived abroad for at least 3 years for duty-free import and provide proof of residency abroad; citizens must not have returned to El Salvador for more than 30 consecutive days during the 3-year period of official residency abroad. Contact the destination agent for specific requirements of eligibility.
• The Certificate of Residence can be obtained from the Salvadoran Consulate and must verify the location and time spent abroad.
• The packing list must include the value of each item and the make, model and serial number of electrical appliances.
• Foreign Diplomats and certain government/organization members are granted duty-free entry. Documents must be received by the destination agent 15 days prior to the shipper’s arrival.
• Foreigners may qualify for a 6-month delay of duty payment with a Bank Guarantee for an amount equal to the Customs valuation of the shipment; however, the payment is required upon expiration of the Guarantee.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Passport
• Driver’s License
• Certificate of Title / Registration
• Purchase / Commercial Invoice
• OBL
• Diplomatic Franchise (Diplomats)
• Certificate of Compliance (new vehicles)
• Certificate of Emissions (used vehicles)

Specific Information

• Vehicles (motorized and non-motorized) can be imported duty free but are subject to taxes.
• Diplomats can import vehicles duty and tax free.
• New and used vehicles must be less than 8 years old from the date of manufacture for import.
• The Certificate of Compliance for new vehicles is issued by the manufacturer and must be authenticated by the Salvadoran Embassy or Consulate at origin.
• The Certificate of Emissions for used vehicles must be authorized by a mechanic and authenticated by the Salvadoran Embassy or Consulate at origin.

Pets

Documents Required

• Rabies Vaccination Record
• Veterinary Health Certificate
• Import Permit

Specific Information

• The Vaccination Record must be issued within 6 months of arrival of the animal.
• The Veterinary Health Certificate must be issued within 15 days of arrival of the animal by a licensed veterinarian at origin.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Firearms and ammunition (a permit from the local police is required)
• Live plants (an original invoice, Phytosanitary Certificate and a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture are required; subject to payment of duties)
• Medications (a permit from the local drug administration is required)
• Cigarettes (200) and cigars (50)
• Alcohol (an Import Permit is required)
• The following items require an original invoice and are subject to the payment of duties:
  • Appliances, machines and spare parts (duty free for Diplomats)
  • Gifts and souvenirs
  • Antiques and works of art
  • Precious metal objects, including jewelry and coins
  • Household and electrical items (serial number, make and model must be included on the detailed inventory)
  • Carpets
  • Wine (a permit from a local health department is required)
  • Food items (a Phytosanitary Certificate is required if the item is not canned and a certificate that the item is approved for human consumption)

Prohibited Items

• Illegal drugs
• Pornographic and subversive materials
• Military clothing and equipment
• Cleaning chemicals and supplies

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

http://www.elsalvador.org

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1109.html