Countries · SV
El Salvador: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 4 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to El Salvador.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for El Salvador in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in El Salvador may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
4 entries on the official lists name El Salvador — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming El Salvador recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
El Salvador: logistics and trade
Pacific port access / Central American transit
El Salvador (ISO code SV) lies on the Pacific coast of Central America, bordering Guatemala and Honduras. It is a presidential republic and Central America's smallest yet densely populated country. The US dollar has been the official currency since 2001; Bitcoin lost its legal-tender status in January 2025 under an IMF programme. The economy relies on services, manufacturing (textiles and maquila) and agriculture, with coffee, sugar and apparel as traditional exports. Foreign trade is dominated by the USA under CAFTA-DR, supported by the EU-Central America Association Agreement. The Pacific port of Acajutla and Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) anchor the country's logistics, while major investment is planned to expand Acajutla and reactivate the La Union port.
- Capital
- San Salvador
- Population
- 6,029,976
- Area
- 21,041 km²
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Continent
- North America
- Region
- Central America
- Economic area
- SICA / CAFTA-DR
- Religions
- Catholic, Protestant, Atheists
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road
- Current situation
- Bitcoin has not been legal tender since January 2025; USD remains official. Planned expansion of the port of Acajutla and reactivation of La Unión (around 1,6 bn USD).
- Seasonal conditions
- Rainy season May to October with tropical storms and hurricane fringe effects; additionally earthquake and volcanic risk in the Pacific region.
Main seaports
- Acajutla
Acajutla (SVAQJ), El Salvador's main Pacific seaport: containers, dry and liquid bulk, reefer across five berths under CEPA/Yilport, around 156,000 TEU a year.
- Acajutla Offshore Terminal
Acajutla Offshore Terminal (SV AQJ): El Paso buoy mooring 1.9 km off El Salvador for heavy fuel oil, diesel and jet fuel tankers. No container or general cargo.
- La Union
La Unión/Cutuco (SV LUN) is a modern but chronically under-used multi-purpose terminal in El Salvador. Most container traffic still routes via Acajutla.
Main cargo airports
- Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International AirportSAL
San Salvador airport (SAL/MSLP): dedicated 21,336 m² cargo terminal, some 26,000 t a year, Amerijet, DHL Aero Expreso and Avianca Cargo; alternative Panama City (PTY).
Road corridors
- Pan-American Highway (CA-1)
- Coastal Highway (CA-2)
- CA-8
Main trade lanes
- El Salvador - USA
- El Salvador - Guatemala
- El Salvador - Honduras
Customs and import
Customs authority Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- SIDUNEA World with electronic DUCA declaration (Declaración Única Centroamericana) and Teledespacho release.
- Export customs system
- Export electronically via SIDUNEA World; DUCA document for Central American trade.
- Import VAT
- 13 percent IVA on the customs value plus import duty (DAI); basic foodstuffs and medicines partly exempt.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Proofs of origin under CAFTA-DR and the EU-Central America Association Agreement (e.g. EUR.1 or origin declaration).
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Licence required for, among others, weapons, explosives, narcotics and certain agricultural and health products.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- DUCA/customs declaration
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
- Certificate of origin
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- DUCA
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L) or air waybill (AWB)
- Proof of origin (CAFTA-DR/EUR.1)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium
- Customs delays
- Medium
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium
- E-commerce relevance
- Medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Mineral oils
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Food
Top export goods
- Textiles
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Electronics
- Chemicals
Typical cargo
- Textiles/clothing
- Coffee
- Sugar
- Machinery
- Mineral oils
Logistics questions
Which currency applies in El Salvador?
The official means of payment is the US dollar (since 2001). Bitcoin has not been legal tender since January 2025 and may only be accepted voluntarily.
What is the import VAT rate?
The IVA is 13 percent and is levied on the customs value plus import duty (DAI). Basic foodstuffs and medicines are partly exempt.
Which customs system does El Salvador use?
The customs authority DGA works with SIDUNEA World; in Central American trade the uniform declaration DUCA is used.
Which port is the most important?
The main seaport is Acajutla on the Pacific coast. The port of La Unión is to be reactivated; both are administered by the port authority CEPA.
Which airport handles air cargo?
The international airport Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero (SAL) near Comalapa is the country's most important air cargo hub.
Which free trade agreements apply?
The central agreement is CAFTA-DR with the USA. There is also the EU-Central America Association Agreement with preferential market access.
What seasonal risks exist?
The rainy season lasts from May to October with tropical storms. In addition, there is an increased earthquake and volcanic risk in the Pacific region.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 22 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.