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Export from El Salvador
A short guide for companies selling from El Salvador: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What El Salvador sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$6.43 billion
Merchandise exports were US$6,428,509,282.76 in 2025 as UN Comtrade reports them, including re-exports.
Source: UN Comtrade, El Salvador exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exports
US$6.21 billion
Services exports were US$6,213.51 million in 2025 in the WTO, UNCTAD and ITC services data on UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC services data, El Salvador (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. T-shirts and knit tops (HS 6109)US$495.8 million
- 2. Sweaters and pullovers (HS 6110)US$393.2 million
- 3. Plastic packaging (HS 3923)US$315.3 million
- 4. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$217 million
- 5. Cane sugar (HS 1701)US$207.8 million
- 6. Toilet paper and tissues (HS 4818)US$202.6 million
- 7. Electrical capacitors (HS 8532)US$186 million
- 8. Coffee (HS 0901)US$167.7 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Medicines in measured doses (HS 3004)US$164.7 million
- 10. Bread and pastries (HS 1905)US$162.9 million
- 11. Sweetened and flavored waters (HS 2202)US$156 million
- 12. Socks and hosiery (HS 6115)US$152.6 million
- 13. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$141.9 million
- 14. Prepared fish (HS 1604)US$138.7 million
- 15. Petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$137.3 million
- 16. Paper and cardboard boxes (HS 4819)US$113.8 million
- 17. Knitted and crocheted fabrics (HS 6006)US$99.7 million
- 18. Plastic sheets and film (HS 3920)US$88.4 million
- 19. Men's knit underwear and pajamas (HS 6107)US$73 million
- 20. Cereal snacks and prepared grain foods (HS 1904)US$72.9 million
- Comtrade flow X includes re-exports, so the ranking is not domestic exports alone. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The WTO review put free zone exports at 19 percent of exports in 2021, concentrated in textiles and clothing, plastics, paper and chemicals. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, El Salvador exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- United States32.8%
- Guatemala19.6%
- Honduras16.7%
- Nicaragua9.1%
- Costa Rica4.5%
- Mexico3.9%
- Panama1.9%
- Dominican Republic1.7%
- El Salvador reports its export values to UN Comtrade; each share is the partner value over the World total of the same 2025 query. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, El Salvador exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks T-shirts and knit tops, sweaters and pullovers and plastic packaging as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only El Salvador’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, El Salvador exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Coffee grew 22% from 2024 to 2025; cereal snacks and prepared grain foods grew 11% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, El Salvador exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
The United States takes 32.8% of El Salvador’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: UN Comtrade, El Salvador exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
General Treaty on Central American Economic Integration
A seller can ship goods of Central American origin to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica under the regional free trade regime, declared on the DUCA-F.
As of 2022, per the WTO review; origin follows the Central American Regulations on the Origin of Goods, and the customs union is still being built.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
A seller can claim duty-free or reduced duty entry to the United States and the Dominican Republic with a producer, exporter or importer certification.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; origin rules apply to each product.
Source: MINEC, CAFTA-DR page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Central America-European Union Association Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in the European Union with an EUR.1 certificate or an origin declaration on the invoice.
Rules-based preference; the trade pillar applied provisionally from October 1, 2013, and the whole agreement from May 1, 2024, per the European Commission.
Source: European Commission, EU trade relations with Central America (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Central America-United Kingdom Association Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in the United Kingdom with an EUR.1 certificate or an origin declaration on the invoice.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; entry date per the WTO review of 2023.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
Show 12 more agreements
Central America-Mexico Free Trade Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in Mexico with a certificate of origin issued by the exporter or producer.
Rules-based preference; the month is as MINEC states it, and some products were still phasing in duties.
Source: MINEC, Central America-Mexico agreement general information (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Central America-Chile Free Trade Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in Chile with a certificate of origin issued by the exporter or producer.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access.
Source: MINEC, Central America-Chile agreement general information (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Central America-Korea Free Trade Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in Korea with a certificate of origin completed in English by the exporter or producer.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; entry date per the WTO review of 2023.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
Central America-Panama Free Trade Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in Panama with a certificate of origin signed by the exporter.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access.
Source: MINEC, Central America-Panama free trade agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Colombia-El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras Free Trade Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in Colombia with a certificate of origin signed by the exporter or producer.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access.
Source: MINEC, Colombia free trade agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in the Dominican Republic with a certificate of origin from the exporter or producer.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access.
Source: MINEC, Central America-Dominican Republic free trade agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
El Salvador-Ecuador Partial Scope Agreement
A seller can claim preferential duties in Ecuador, with a certificate of origin that CIEX issues.
Covers listed products only; it is not a full free trade agreement.
Source: MINEC, Ecuador partial scope agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
El Salvador-Bolivia Partial Scope Agreement
A seller can claim tariff preferences in Bolivia on listed products, with a certificate of origin that CIEX issues.
Covers listed products only; it entered into force recently.
Source: MINEC, Bolivia partial scope agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
El Salvador-Cuba Partial Scope Agreement
A seller can use the preferences in the agreement on listed products entering Cuba.
Covers listed products only; MINEC lists it as in force, and the entry date is not established here.
Source: MINEC, Cuba partial scope agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
El Salvador-Belize Partial Scope Agreement
A seller may gain tariff preferences on listed products in Belize once the agreement enters into force.
Signed on August 13, 2026; both parliaments must still ratify it.
Source: MINEC, Belize partial scope agreement page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
United States-El Salvador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
A seller may gain relief from United States tariffs on listed goods once the agreement applies.
Signed on January 29, 2026; it starts five days after both sides notify completion, and no ratification decree appears to October 7, 2026.
Source: USTR, United States–El Salvador reciprocal trade agreement text, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 29, 2026
El Salvador-Honduras and Taiwan Free Trade Agreement
A seller can no longer rely on this agreement for preferences in Taiwan.
Ceased to apply on November 8, 2022, per the WTO review; no preferences remain.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from El Salvador
- Register as an exporter with CIEX; registration is free and instant once the published requirements are met.Centro de Trámites de Importaciones y Exportaciones (CIEX)Free of charge and instant, as of 2022Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
- Get any permit your product needs, such as the coffee, sugar quota or wild flora and fauna permits.Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) and other bodies named in the WTO reviewOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
- Ask CIEX for a certificate of origin where the agreement requires one, or complete the exporter's own certificate or declaration.Centro de Trámites de Importaciones y Exportaciones (CIEX)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MINEC, origin documents, European Union agreement (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Check the technical regulations and national standards that apply to your product.Organismo Salvadoreño de Reglamentación Técnica (OSARTEC) and Organismo Salvadoreño de Normalización (OSN)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: OSARTEC, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 4 more export steps
- Request the phytosanitary certificate for plant products, and pay the fee set by MAG.Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG)$6.45 per 10,000 kg by land or airOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MAG, export phytosanitary certificates service page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- File the export declaration, DUCA-F for Central America or DUCA-D for other markets, through CIEX for customs.CIEX and Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
- Ask the internal revenue directorate to refund VAT credit you cannot offset, using the online procedure.Ministerio de HaciendaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
- Ask the Ministry of Economy about free zone or service park status if you export from one.Ministerio de Economía (MINEC)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: INVEST, fiscal incentives and benefits guide (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with INVEST, DGA and ONEC. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
Investment and export promotion agency
INVEST
Agencia de Promoción de Inversiones y Exportaciones de El Salvador
Advises expanding companies on investing and exporting, and publishes an exporters directory, sector guides and an incentives guide.
Visit INVEST (opens in a new tab)Source: INVEST, about the agency page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
ONEC
Oficina Nacional de Estadística y Censos
Publishes the consumer and producer price indexes, household surveys and the business directory, and issues statistical registration certificates.
Visit ONEC (opens in a new tab)Source: ONEC, about the office page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Central bank
BCR
Banco Central de Reserva de El Salvador
Publishes macroeconomic and trade statistics and the price index, and houses the export procedures center CIEX and the statistics office ONEC.
Visit BCR (opens in a new tab)Source: BCR, services guide listing CIEX El Salvador (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Multilateral trade body
WTO
World Trade Organization
Multilateral body
Publishes El Salvador's member page, trade policy reviews and the Trade4MSMEs guide for small companies.
Visit WTO (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, El Salvador member information page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
DGA
Dirección General de Aduanas
Runs customs clearance and the export declaration process, and issues rules for exports from free zones and service parks.
Export and import procedures center
CIEX
Centro de Trámites de Importaciones y Exportaciones
Registers exporters, authorizes the DUCA export declarations and issues some certificates of origin, as a service of the central bank.
Visit CIEX (opens in a new tab)Source: MINEC, origin documents, Bolivia agreement (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Finance and tax ministry
Hacienda
Ministerio de Hacienda
Runs the internal revenue directorate, which refunds exporters' unused VAT credit, and is the parent ministry of the customs directorate.
Visit Hacienda (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
Plant and animal health ministry
MAG
Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería
Issues export phytosanitary certificates and export permits for wild flora and fauna.
Visit MAG (opens in a new tab)Source: MAG, export phytosanitary certificates service page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
National standards body
OSN
Organismo Salvadoreño de Normalización
Writes national standards, runs consultations on draft standards and certifies products and management systems.
Visit OSN (opens in a new tab)Source: OSN, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Technical regulations body
OSARTEC
Organismo Salvadoreño de Reglamentación Técnica
Coordinates the adoption of technical regulations and runs national and international consultations on draft regulations.
Visit OSARTEC (opens in a new tab)Source: OSARTEC, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
CAMARASAL
Cámara de Comercio e Industria de El Salvador
Represents member companies and reports on its trade and business activity in an annual report.
Visit CAMARASAL (opens in a new tab)Source: CAMARASAL, annual report for 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. Worth knowing
United States tariff action
The United States added a 10 percent Section 301 tariff on goods of El Salvador entered on or after July 24, 2026, with exemptions listed in annexes.
What to do: Check the notice's annexes and CAFTA-DR treatment for your product before you price.
Sources: USTR, Section 301 forced labor action notice, July 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab); USTR, El Salvador reciprocal trade agreement signing, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of July 28, 2026
Reciprocal trade agreement
The United States and El Salvador signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade on January 29, 2026.
What to do: Check with the United States Trade Representative whether it applies to your goods before you quote.
Sources: USTR, El Salvador reciprocal trade agreement signing, January 2026 (opens in a new tab); USTR, Section 301 forced labor action notice, July 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 29, 2026
Export permits for controlled goods
The 2023 WTO review lists permits for cane sugar, coffee, agricultural chemicals, machinery, scrap metal, arms and cultural assets, each from a named body.
What to do: Ask the named body for your permit before you book a shipment.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of El Salvador, February 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of February 21, 2023
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your El Salvador project.
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Promote:El Salvador is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.