Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the USA to El Salvador in its own 20 ft container, port to port to Acajutla, with AB Group Shipping costs from $3,002 from Los Angeles (September 2026 quote), with 14 days transit; RoRo from Los Angeles runs approx. $1,800. El Salvador charges import duty (DAI) of generally 25% on passenger vehicles (30% on some over 2000 cc, 5% on pick-ups), plus 13% IVA on the CIF value plus the DAI.
- Ocean freight only (September 2026 rates): 20' container $3,302 from Miami and $3,437 from Houston; RoRo approx. $2,000 from Miami and approx. $2,050 from Houston, to Acajutla (SVAQJ)
- El Salvador taxes hit hard: DAI import duty of generally 25% on cars (30% on some over 2000 cc, 5% on pick-ups) + 13% IVA on CIF value plus DAI, collected by Aduana / Ministerio de Hacienda
- Vehicle year restriction: light vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture (7 for hybrids and electrics), heavy cargo vehicles more than 15 years old and buses more than 10 years old are blocked from import
- Transit: 8-14 days RoRo from Gulf/East Coast, 14-31 days for containerized or consolidated units depending on the departure port
- Run your VIN, year and port through the calculator on this page for a landed-cost estimate in under 30 seconds
Most Salvadoran families budget for the freight and forget the tax bill. The duty and IVA at Acajutla often cost more than the ocean crossing itself, so price the landed cost before you book.
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Go to the calculator →Reference prices: shipping a vehicle from the USA to El Salvador
| Departure port | Price | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| MiamiPort Everglades | $3,302 | 26 days |
| Houston | $3,437 | 31 days |
| New JerseyNewark | $3,402 | 14 days |
| Los AngelesCheapestLong Beach | $3,002 | 14 days |
Port to port to Acajutla, in USD, quoted with our system on September 28, 2026. Includes freight and US export charges; excludes import taxes and destination charges. Each vehicle travels alone in a 20 ft container; two can share a 40 ft one. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery. What our customers are quoted for a sedan, often with pickup and delivery: typically $3,652, half of them between $3,302 and $4,306 depending on the origin city.
Shipping from another state? Which port to read
Each port in the table is the one that cargo from these states usually leaves through. Miami: Florida. Houston: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. New Jersey: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and West Virginia. Los Angeles: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii. Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama ship through Savannah; Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota ship through Chicago (rail); Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska ship through Seattle / Tacoma: those ports are not in the table yet. We pick up in every state, and the calculator finds the best port from your city.
How much does it cost to ship a car to El Salvador from USA?
Quick Answer: In September 2026, shipping a car to El Salvador in a dedicated 20' container costs $3,302 from Miami and $3,437 from Houston, port to port to Acajutla; RoRo runs approx. $2,000 from Miami and approx. $2,050 from Houston. Add DAI import duty (generally 25% on passenger vehicles, 30% on some over 2000 cc, 5% on pick-ups) and 13% IVA on CIF value plus DAI, plus roughly $250-$450 in local clearance and port fees.
The cost to ship a car to El Salvador from USA splits into three buckets. Ocean freight is the first. Salvadoran duties and taxes are the second. Local port and clearance fees are the third.
Ocean freight is the smallest of the three for most vehicles. That surprises first-time shippers every time.
Price ladder by vehicle and method
Rates move with vessel space and fuel. These 2026 ranges reflect current market conditions on the Miami and Houston lanes.
- Sedan, RoRo, Miami → Acajutla: approx. $2,000
- SUV or pickup, RoRo: approx. $2,000 from Miami and approx. $2,050 from Houston
- Exclusive 20' container, one vehicle: $3,302 from Miami and $3,437 from Houston (September 2026 rates)
- Shared container, two cars: approx. $2,300 from Miami and approx. $2,400 from Houston per unit
Shared container service is the value play. You split the box with another shipper and beat RoRo pricing on some sailings. The trade-off is schedule — consolidation waits for a second car.
Rates by US origin port
| US origin | RoRo (sedan) | 20' container (Sep 2026) | Transit to Acajutla |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | USD approx. $2,050 | USD $3,437 | 31 days |
| Miami, FL | USD approx. $2,000 | USD $3,302 | 26 days |
| Newark, NJ | USD approx. $2,050 | USD $3,402 | 14 days |
| Long Beach, CA | USD approx. $1,800 | USD $3,002 | 14 days |
What an itemized quote actually contains
Beware the "all-in" number quoted over the phone. A real quote breaks out every line, and you should be able to see each one.
- Ocean freight — the base carrier rate for the vehicle or box
- BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) — fuel surcharge, typically $80-$180 per unit
- ISPS security fee — a per-unit port security charge
- Origin THC — terminal handling at Miami or Houston
- Destination THC at Acajutla — often billed to the consignee
- No ISF fee — CBP's Importer Security Filing (10+2) covers only cargo arriving in the United States by vessel, not US exports
If a quote is one flat number with no breakdown, ask which destination charges are excluded. That is where surprise invoices live.
Landed cost math, worked in full
Take a 2020 Toyota Hilux with a CIF value of $12,000 arriving at Acajutla. As a pick-up it pays 5% DAI, which Aduana applies to the CIF value first.
- DAI: $12,000 × 5% = $600
- Taxable base for IVA: $12,000 + $600 = $12,600
- IVA: $12,600 × 13% = $1,638
- Total tax before release: $2,238
Add $250-$450 in port storage, agent fees and handling. Your $12,000 truck now costs about $14,500-$14,700 landed in San Salvador. A passenger car with the same CIF value at the general 25% DAI would pay $3,000 DAI plus $1,950 IVA ($15,000 × 13%), or $4,950 in tax. Gulf-origin shippers should read our full Real Cost to Ship Pickup Truck Houston to El Salvador 2026: Pricing & Process breakdown for the pickup-specific numbers.
Combined DAI and IVA on a passenger car at the general 25% DAI reaches about 41.25% of CIF value, about 46.9% at 30%, and about 18.65% on a pick-up at 5%. That is why the freight quote alone never tells the real story.
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Go to the calculator →How does the car shipping calculator for El Salvador work?
Quick Answer: The calculator on this page prices your shipment from four inputs: origin city, vehicle type, shipping method and destination port. It returns ocean freight, estimated El Salvador duty and IVA, and transit days in under 30 seconds. No email, no signup, no sales call afterward.
The car shipping calculator El Salvador tool sits directly on this page. You do not leave the article to use it. Four fields, one result.
Step by step through the tool
- Enter your US pickup city or the port you plan to deliver to — Miami, Houston, Newark or Long Beach.
- Select the vehicle type: sedan, SUV, pickup or motorcycle. Cubic size drives RoRo pricing.
- Choose RoRo, exclusive container or shared container.
- Confirm Acajutla (SVAQJ) as the discharge port.
- Enter the model year and declared value for the duty estimate.
The model-year field does real work. The tool flags vehicles that fail El Salvador's 8-year rule before you spend a dollar. That single check has saved shippers from four-figure re-export bills.
Declared value: use the right number
Declared value drives the duty estimate. Use the actual purchase price shown on your bill of sale, not Kelley Blue Book retail.
Aduana runs its own valuation reference. If your declared value looks unusually low, the DM gets flagged and reassessed. Under-declaring costs more than it saves.
Pro Tip
Run the calculator twice — once with RoRo and once with shared container. On sedans under $10,000 CIF, shared container sometimes lands cheaper than RoRo once destination THC at Acajutla is included. The gap is usually $80-$200 per unit.
What the calculator cannot auto-price
Some cargo needs a human. These route to a custom-quote form at the same #quote-calc anchor.
- Non-running or wrecked vehicles requiring winch loading
- Lifted trucks exceeding legal height for RoRo decks
- RVs, motorhomes and travel trailers
- Heavy equipment, tractors and construction machinery
The same engine prices full-container lanes elsewhere in the region. See FCL Miami to Panama 2026: Pricing & Cost Calculator to compare how the tool handles a straight FCL booking.
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Go to the calculator →RoRo or container: which is better for shipping to Acajutla?
Quick Answer: RoRo is cheaper and faster for a single running vehicle to Acajutla, saving approx. $1,300-$1,400 versus a 20' container from Miami or Houston (September 2026 rates). A container protects the car from weather and lets you load personal items legally declared. Non-running vehicles and classic cars should always move in a container.
Both methods work to Acajutla port. The right one depends on your vehicle's condition and whether you are sending belongings.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
Your car is driven onto the vessel deck under its own power. A stevedore takes the keys and parks it. Loose items inside are generally restricted, so check your carrier's rules before delivery. Marine insurance runs about 1.5-2% of declared value. Theft exposure is slightly higher because decks are open to crew traffic. Cheapest option for a running sedan or pickup.
Container
Your car is loaded, strapped and sealed inside a 20' or 40' box. A 20' fits one vehicle plus crated belongings. A 40' fits two cars, or one car plus a partial household move. Insurance is cheaper at 1.2-1.5% of value because the unit is sealed. Required for non-running, classic and high-value vehicles.
Sailing frequency matters more than price
Acajutla handles RoRo through a limited number of vessel calls. Some services run weekly, others biweekly. A missed cut-off can cost you two weeks.
Container services often route through Puerto Barrios or Puerto Quetzal transshipment, adding 4-6 days. Direct Acajutla container calls exist but are less frequent than the Guatemala relay options.
| Factor | RoRo | 20' Container | Shared Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Miami approx. $2,000 · Houston approx. $2,050 | Miami $3,302 · Houston $3,437 (Sep 2026) | Miami approx. $2,300 · Houston approx. $2,400/car |
| Personal items allowed | No | Yes, declared | Limited |
| Non-running vehicles | No | Yes | Yes |
| Insurance rate | 1.5–2% | 1.2–1.5% | 1.2–1.5% |
| Transit Miami→Acajutla | 12–16 days | 26 days | 16–22 days |
Two-wheelers follow different math entirely. Consolidating three or four bikes into one container beats every other option — see Motorcycle Shipping from USA to Central America: 2026 Rates and Container Options for the per-unit breakdown.
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Go to the calculator →What is El Salvador's vehicle year restriction for imports?
Quick Answer: El Salvador bans imported light vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture (more than 7 for hybrids or electrics), heavy cargo vehicles more than 15 years old and buses more than 10 years old, counted from the model year (Ley de Transporte Terrestre, Tránsito y Seguridad Vial). A vehicle that fails the rule cannot be imported. Check the year before booking.
The El Salvador vehicle year restriction is the single most expensive mistake shippers make. It is not negotiable at the port.
Where the rule comes from
The restriction traces to reforms under the Ley de Transporte Terrestre. Enforcement sits with the Dirección General de Aduanas and the Viceministerio de Transporte.
Age is counted by model year against the current calendar year. In 2026, the oldest importable conventional light vehicle is a 2018 model (2019 for hybrids and electrics); heavy cargo vehicles must be model year 2011 or newer and buses 2016 or newer. A 2017 conventional light model is rejected, regardless of mileage or condition.
Age limits by vehicle class
| Vehicle class | Max age | Oldest model year (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, SUVs, pickups | 8 years (7 hybrid/electric) | 2018 (2019 hybrid/electric) |
| Heavy cargo trucks | 15 years | 2011 |
| Buses / passenger transport | 10 years | 2016 |
| Salvage / flood title | Blocked for hybrid/electric | Confirm others with Aduana |
Salvage titles are a separate blocker
For used hybrid and electric vehicles, a salvage, total-loss, junk or flood-damage title blocks import regardless of age (Decreto Legislativo 738, art. 9). Salvage vehicles are also excluded from the diaspora vehicle benefit.
Rebuilt titles sit in a gray zone and vary by inspection. Confirm with your customs agent before booking, not after.
Exemptions exist but are narrow
- Diplomatic imports — vehicle duty exemptions go through the Foreign Ministry with a note verbale and current accreditation
- Returning residents — narrow qualification based on time abroad and residency proof
- Diaspora law (2025) — Salvadorans living abroad may bring up to 2 light vehicles per family group free of import duties and taxes and the first-registration tax; the older Ley de Equipajes menaje de casa route excludes any motor vehicle
None of these are automatic. Confirm eligibility with a licensed Salvadoran agente aduanal before you pay a booking deposit. AB Group Shipping is a freight forwarder, not a customs authority — the ruling belongs to Aduana.
A rejected vehicle bleeds money daily
If Aduana refuses your car at Acajutla, it sits on the terminal accruing storage while re-export is arranged. Storage adds up every day (as of October 2026 Customs charges USD 10 a day in warehouses it runs; port and private terminal rates vary), plus the cost of return ocean freight. Verify the model year in the calculator before you book anything.
What documents do you need to ship a car to El Salvador?
Quick Answer: You need the US title (the original or a certified copy), the Bill of Lading, the commercial invoice or bill of sale and the Salvadoran goods declaration; confirm any ID or tax-number requirements with Aduana or a licensed customs agent. US Customs requires the title 72 hours before vessel departure under CBP's export rule for used self-propelled vehicles.
Documentation splits into two sides. The US export side is governed by CBP. The El Salvador import side is governed by Aduana and the Ministerio de Hacienda.
US export requirements
- Certificate of Title — the original or a certified copy, plus two complete copies (19 CFR 192.2)
- AES filing with ITN — Electronic Export Information submitted before departure
- 72-hour CBP presentation — required at the port of export per 19 CFR Part 192
- Bill of sale — proof of purchase and value
- Copy of owner's passport or driver's license
According to CBP regulations, used self-propelled vehicles must be presented with the title at least 72 hours before export. Missing that window means your car rolls to the next sailing.
El Salvador import requirements
- Declaración de Mercancías (DM) — prepared by an agente aduanal or, under the diaspora regime, by Aduana at your request
- Factura Comercial — commercial invoice or bill of sale
- Certificado de Origen — where applicable for preferential treatment
- Bill of Lading — original or telex release
- Consignee's NIT or DUI — no valid NIT means no clearance
Financed cars cannot be exported without lender release
If a lien appears on the title, the lender must issue a written authorization to export. CBP will not release the vehicle without it. This catches people who assumed a paid-off loan automatically clears the title record — request the lien release letter 30 days before booking.
The Menaje de Casa route
Returning Salvadorans can explore the 2025 diaspora regime. Its menaje de casa benefit covers household goods; vehicles are a separate benefit of up to 2 light vehicles per family group, exempt from import duties and taxes and the first-registration tax. The older Ley de Equipajes menaje de casa route excludes any motor vehicle.
The sworn declaration is signed before the DGME or its branches, border offices, airports or seaports; no consular certificate is required (DACG DGA-016-2025). Requirements vary and change — verify current rules directly. Guides such as Moving to El Salvador: Complete Requirements Guide 2026 and our own International Moving to El Salvador 2026 guide cover the household-goods side in depth.
The parallel workflow for another Latin American market is documented in Moving to Ecuador from USA: 2026 Complete Cost Guide & Required Documents, which shows how consulate-stamped inventories work in practice.
How long is RoRo transit time from the USA to El Salvador?
Quick Answer: RoRo transit from the USA to Acajutla runs 8-14 days from Gulf ports like Houston and Galveston, and 12-18 days from Miami or Port Everglades with Caribbean transshipment. West Coast sailings from Long Beach reach Acajutla in 10-15 days on direct Pacific services.
RoRo transit time USA to El Salvador depends heavily on your origin coast. Gulf ports win on speed because Acajutla sits on the Pacific side, reached via Panama Canal or Pacific relay.
| Origin port | Transit days | Sailing frequency | Routing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston (USHOU) | 8–12 days | Weekly | Gulf direct / Canal |
| Miami (USMIA) | 12–16 days | Biweekly | Caribbean transshipment |
| Long Beach (USLGB) | 10–15 days | Weekly | Direct Pacific |
| Newark (USEWR) | 16–21 days | Biweekly | Relay via Caribbean hub |
The transit clock starts at ETD, not booking
This trips up almost every first-time shipper. Transit days count from vessel ETD, not your booking date.
The carrier sets the port cut-off for RoRo units on each sailing; confirm it with your booking. Deliver late and your car waits for the next vessel — potentially two weeks on a biweekly service.
Add clearance time at Acajutla
Ocean transit is only part of the timeline. Plan extra days for Aduana clearance after arrival; the time depends on your paperwork and whether an inspection is ordered.
If the DM is selected for red-channel physical inspection, expect it to take longer. Free time is short: in Customs-run deposits it is about 5 working days, and port or private terminal terms vary, so confirm them with your agent.
Houston is the fastest mainstream RoRo lane to El Salvador, with weekly sailings. Miami runs 4-6 days longer because most services transship through a Caribbean hub before the Canal.
For contrast on a much longer South American run, compare the numbers in Car Shipping to Argentina: Complete 2026 Guide to Costs, Documentation & Transit Times.
HoustonUSHOU
AcajutlaSVAQJ
MiamiUSMIA
AcajutlaSVAQJ
MiamiUSMIA
AcajutlaSVAQJ
How do you ship a car to Acajutla port step by step?
Quick Answer: Book the sailing, deliver the vehicle to the US terminal before cut-off, file AES, present the original title to CBP 72 hours prior, then hand clearance to a Salvadoran agente aduanal who files the Declaración de Mercancías and releases the unit at Acajutla.
The process to ship a car to Acajutla port runs ten steps. Miss one and the timeline slips.
- Run the calculator on this page for your vehicle, origin and method.
- Verify the model year passes El Salvador's age limit (8 years for light vehicles, 7 for hybrids and electrics, 15 for heavy cargo, 10 for buses).
- Book the vessel and receive your booking number and cut-off date.
- Drain the fuel tank to the level your carrier specifies.
- Remove personal items for RoRo and check what your carrier allows to stay in the vehicle.
- Deliver the vehicle to the terminal before the carrier's cut-off.
- We file AES for the ITN and issue the Bill of Lading.
- Submit the original title to CBP for the 72-hour export review.
- Your agente aduanal files the DM, pays the DAI (generally 25% on cars, 5% on pick-ups) and 13% IVA, and clears the unit at Acajutla (SVAQJ).
- Arrange inland delivery to San Salvador, Santa Ana or San Miguel.
Inland delivery costs and timing
Trucking from Acajutla inland adds approx. $180-$350 and 1-2 days. San Salvador is the shortest run at roughly 85 km.
Santa Ana and San Miguel cost more. Many consignees simply drive the car off the terminal themselves once plates and temporary circulation are arranged.
Pro Tip
Photograph the vehicle from all four corners, the odometer and the interior on delivery day at the US terminal. Timestamped photos are the fastest way to settle a damage claim later. With thousands of vehicle movements handled across the Miami and Gulf-to-LatAm corridor, this one habit resolves more disputes than any insurance clause.
Choosing your agente aduanal
Under the diaspora regime a customs agent is optional: Aduana can prepare the Declaración de Mercancías at your request, and the vehicle may be collected by you or by someone you authorize in writing (DACG DGA-016-2025). Outside that regime, confirm with Aduana or a licensed agent whether you can clear without one.
Ask for the agent's license number and a written fee schedule before the vessel arrives. Industry references such as this Acajutla shipping guide and Ship Cars To El Salvador: Complete Guide & Requirements describe how carriers handle this step.
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Go to the calculator →Frequently asked questions
Ship your car with AB Group Shipping
AB Group Shipping is an NVOCC-licensed international car shipping company: RoRo, container or air to 140+ countries, with your rate in 60 seconds.
Ocean freight for RoRo or a dedicated 20' container from Miami or Houston to Acajutla is shown in the price table at the top of this page. On top of that, El Salvador charges import duty (DAI) of generally 25% on passenger cars (30% on some over 2000 cc, 5% on pick-ups) and 13% IVA on the CIF value plus the DAI, plus port and clearance fees. Use the calculator on this page for your exact vehicle and origin city.
No. El Salvador blocks imported light vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture (7 for hybrids and electrics), so in 2026 the oldest importable conventional model year is 2018. Heavy cargo trucks may be up to 15 years old and buses up to 10, and a vehicle that fails the rule cannot be imported.
Miami to Acajutla takes 12-16 days by RoRo and about 26 days by container, since most services transship through the Caribbean or Panama. Houston sailings are faster at 8-12 days. Allow extra time for customs clearance at the port before you can drive the vehicle away.
No, not on RoRo service. Roll-on/roll-off carriers generally do not accept personal belongings inside the vehicle; check your carrier's rules. If you need to send belongings with the car, book a container instead — a 20' holds one vehicle plus crated household items declared separately on the manifest.
Not always. Under the diaspora regime a customs agent is optional: the Declaración de Mercancías may be prepared by an agente aduanal or by Aduana at your request. In other cases, confirm with Aduana or a licensed agent before shipping. The consignee also needs a valid NIT or DUI. AB Group Shipping coordinates with vetted agents at Acajutla, but the duty assessment itself is set by Aduana, not by the freight forwarder.
Price your shipment now
Quick Answer: Use the embedded calculator on this page to price your car to Acajutla in under 30 seconds. Enter your origin city, vehicle type, model year and shipping method. You get ocean freight, an estimated duty and IVA figure, and realistic transit days with no email required.
Two numbers decide whether this shipment makes sense: the model year and the CIF value. The year determines whether El Salvador will even accept the vehicle. The value determines a tax bill that often exceeds the freight itself.
The car shipping calculator El Salvador tool above checks both at once. Enter your details, compare RoRo against container, and see the full landed picture before you commit to a booking. No signup, no follow-up calls, no sales pressure — just the numbers you need to make the decision.
Sources
We checked the rules and figures in this guide against these sources on October 18, 2026.
- Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador: Impuestos a pagar - Dirección General de Aduanas
- eCFR / Office of the Federal Register: eCFR :: 19 CFR Part 192 -- Export Control
- Asamblea Legislativa de El Salvador (via Centro de Documentación Judicial, jurisprudencia.gob.sv): Decreto No. 288 – Reformas a la Ley de Transporte Terrestre, Tránsito y Seguridad Vial · 2007-05-22
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Exporting a Motor Vehicle
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Exporting Used Self-Propelled Vehicles
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Importer Security Filing '10+2' · 2018-11-28
- Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador: Proceso Aduanero
- Ley de Transporte Terrestre, Tránsito y Seguridad Vial, arts. 12 and 34, text updated to January 2026 on the customs site
- DACG DGA-016-2025, section 5
- Ley de Impuesto a la Transferencia de Bienes Muebles y a la Prestación de Servicios arts. 48-g and 54
✓ Fact-checked by AB Group Shipping on October 18, 2026. Prices come from our own rate system. How we check our guides · Spotted an error? [email protected]
Guides for shipping to El Salvador
- El Salvador Car Import Tax Calculator: 2026 DAI & IVA · Car import tax calculator
- Moving to El Salvador Calculator: Instant Quotes (2026) · Household move page (calculator + guide)
- LCL Shipping Calculator El Salvador: CBM Rates 2026 · Consolidated cargo (LCL) calculator
- Cheapest Shipping to El Salvador 2026: Instant Quotes · Boxes & packages calculator
- Air Freight Calculator El Salvador: 1-3 Day Rates 2026 · Air freight calculator
- Shipping Times USA to El Salvador 2026: 1-25 Days · Transit times
- Documents to Ship a Container to El Salvador 2026: 9 Musts · Documents & requirements
- Real Cost to Ship Pickup Truck Houston to El Salvador 2026: Pricing & Process · Car shipping calculator