The United States engaged in free trade agreement negotiations with five Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) in 2003. El Salvador ratified the Agreement in December 2004. This allows removing barriers for trading and investment in the region and further regional economic integration.
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In most cases, Salvadoran Customs does not require import licenses and requires only a commercial invoice and bill of lading.
Prohibited Imports
The following items are prohibited or restricted to import: (1) books, booklets, emblems, posters and any other articles of a subversive character or doctrines contrary to the established political, economic and social order; (2) figures, statues, books, booklets, almanacs, magazines, engraved or lithographed articles, newspapers, lithographs, stamps, photographs, and cards of an obscene nature or any other obscene articles; (3) movies contrary to ethics and good behavior; (4) abortives; (5) roulette wheels, gambling tables, and any other item or article used for gambling (not prohibited, but subject to authorization by the Ministry of Finance and local municipalities); (6) opium with less than 9% morphine; (7) non-stamped paper for cigarettes; (8) machines and tools for making coins; (9) counterfeited coins and bills; (10) plain silver coins of less than 0.900 purity; (11) tokens of any metal or alloy that may be used as substitutes for legal coins; (12) coffee trees and coffee seeds for planting.
Weapons - The import of certain high-caliber firearms is prohibited. Arms for personal defense or hunting may be imported, but are strictly controlled by the police and Ministry of Defense based on a special law that also controls the sale to the public and to private security companies.
Drugs - Cocaine, opiates and barbiturates may be imported solely for medical use, with the permission of the Consejo Superior de Salud Publica (Superior Council for Public Health). The Consejo controls the sale of these substances to the public. Such medications as tranquilizers, sedatives, anti-depressants and certain antibiotics were recently added to the list of prescription medicines.
Anyone considering the import of these items should consult with the appropriate government regulatory agency for exemptions or special permits.
Tariffs
As a member of the Central American Common Market (CACM), El Salvador has agreed to implement a maximum common external tariff of 15%. Nevertheless, certain products remain subject to tariffs above the 15% ceiling. Salvadoran imports of clothing, certain agricultural products, vehicles, and certain other items remain subject to tariffs ranging from 15 percent to 30 percent – and in a few significant cases even higher. Tariffs on new and used finished clothing are generally 25%. Tariffs on fabrics range from 15% to 20%, with some exceptions.
The highest tariffs – up to 40%– are levied on certain food imports and alcoholic beverages. Dairy and meat products are assessed a 40% ad valorem duty; beef a 30% duty. Alcoholic beverages are subject to 30% ad valorem duty, a consumption tax based on alcoholic content, and a special 20% sales tax.
Non-tariff Measures: rice and pork are both subject to import quota schemes and 40% duties.
Labeling and Marking Requirements
Products that are sold by weight or volume or any other measure must have the weight, volume or an exact measure of its content on the label.
Retailers must have the price of the product either on the packaging or in a visible place.
For pharmaceuticals, the list of ingredients, expiration date, dosage, contraindications, risks involved when used, residual toxic effects, etc. as established by the Ministry of Public Health must be printed on the label.
Labels on frozen and canned foods must include an expiration date. | 
