San Salvador fireproof container wholesale

Most containerized imports enter via Guatemala and Honduras and are then trucked to El Salvador. Little cargo enters through El Salvador's Pacific maritime Acajutla Port, which was built to manage bulk exports and imports. Air cargo enters via the international airport. Major distribution centers are in free trade zones.

Large distributors usually import consumer and non-consumer products and sell them to wholesale distributors or directly to the retail stores. Large department stores and importers of machinery and raw materials buy directly from U.S manufacturers, consolidate shipments and then export to El Salvador.

Using an agent or distributor is a proven market entry strategy for El Salvador although conducting due diligence on your prospective partner is highly recommended before entering into any agreements. For most products and services, one agent for the country is sufficient as commercial activity is concentrated in San Salvador.

For most products and services, one agent for the country is sufficient as commercial activity is concentrated in San Salvador. An exclusive territorial contract is recommended only when the business relationship has proven stable, professional, and profitable for both parties.

El Salvador does not have set a de minimis amount, but in 2021 approved the Law to Promote Non-Commercial Online Purchases that creates an exception to the import tariffs for online purchases under $300, however the VAT tax of 13% is still applicable.

Firms that sell or manufacture pharmaceuticals must obtain a permit from the National Directorate of Medicines (Direccion Nacional de Medicamentos – DNM). The DNM must also approve each pharmaceutical product as safe for sale in El Salvador and issues a registration certificate (per product) that must be renewed every five years.