Quick Answer: Importing a car from the USA to El Salvador means paying DAI (25-30% for most passenger cars) plus 13% IVA on CIF plus DAI, on top of ocean freight to Acajutla. With AB Group Shipping, freight for a car in its own 20 ft container costs from $3,002 (September 2026 quote) from Los Angeles, 14 days in transit, or $3,302 from Miami, 26 days.
- El Salvador taxes cars on CIF value: DAI 25-30% for most passenger vehicles, then IVA 13% on top of CIF + DAI.
- For used vehicles the DGA takes the value from published price guides such as N.A.D.A. and Kelley Blue Book, so the assessed value can differ from your bill of sale.
- Light passenger and cargo vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture cannot be imported (Ley de Transporte Terrestre); for buses and heavy trucks, confirm the rule with a licensed customs agent before you buy.
- US-built vehicles with a valid CAFTA-DR certificate of origin can qualify for 0% DAI — you still pay IVA.
The tax math is only half the picture. Freight, broker fees, port handling at Acajutla and registration with the VMT push your real landed cost well past the sticker price, and this guide walks through every line item with 2026 numbers.
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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 | $3,502 | 26 days |
| Houston | $3,637 | 31 days |
| New JerseyNewark | $3,602 | 14 days |
| Los AngelesCheapest | $3,120 | 16 days |
Port to port to Acajutla, in USD, quoted with our system on October 26, 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 $3,617, half of them between $3,302 and $4,296 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 is the import tax on a car in El Salvador?
Quick Answer: Total import taxes depend on the vehicle's DAI line. DAI is 25-30% for most passenger cars, and IVA is 13% applied to CIF plus DAI; confirm any other applicable taxes with a licensed customs agent. At 30% DAI, a $10,000 CIF sedan pays $3,000 in DAI plus $1,690 in IVA, $4,690 in total.
The formula is short and public. Any el salvador car import tax calculator runs the same three lines.
Total tax = (CIF × DAI rate) + ((CIF + DAI) × 13% IVA) + any other applicable taxes
Here is the fast worked example. Start with a CIF value of $10,000.
- Apply DAI at 30%: $10,000 × 0.30 = $3,000.
- Add DAI to CIF: $10,000 + $3,000 = $13,000 taxable base.
- Apply IVA at 13%: $13,000 × 0.13 = $1,690.
- Total core taxes: $3,000 + $1,690 = $4,690 before broker and port fees.
On a $10,000 CIF passenger car taxed at 30% DAI, total core taxes reach $4,690 — about 47% of the declared customs value, before any other applicable taxes, broker and port charges.
Not every vehicle sits at 30%. The Central American tariff schedule assigns different DAI lines by HS code and body type.
- Passenger cars and SUVs: 25-30% DAI in most cases
- Pickups: 5% DAI, according to El Salvador's Dirección General de Aduanas
- Motorcycles: varies widely by engine displacement
- Heavy cargo trucks and buses: frequently 0-5% DAI as productive assets
One detail trips up almost every first-time importer. El Salvador does not tax your purchase price — it taxes the value the DGA assigns. We cover that valuation system in detail below.
For the freight-only side of the equation, see our Car Shipping El Salvador Calculator: Rates 2026, which breaks down ocean rates separately from duties.
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Go to the calculator →What is CIF value and what is DAI in El Salvador?
Quick Answer: CIF value is cost, insurance and freight — the vehicle price plus ocean freight plus marine insurance, measured at the port of Acajutla. DAI (Derechos Arancelarios a la Importación) is El Salvador's import tariff, charged as a percentage of that CIF base. Every other tax stacks on top of it.
CIF means the landed value at the Salvadoran border. It equals purchase value plus international freight plus insurance.
DAI stands for Derechos Arancelarios a la Importación. It is the tariff line pulled from the Central American common tariff, the Sistema Arancelario Centroamericano (SAC). Your vehicle's HS code determines the rate.
Why buying FOB does not cut your tax bill
Many buyers assume an FOB purchase lowers duties. It does not. Customs rebuilds the CIF base by adding freight and insurance itself.
If you bought a car FOB Miami at $12,000 and paid $3,302 freight (our September 2026 rate for a car in its own 20 ft container) plus $180 insurance, the DGA works from $15,482 CIF. The Incoterm changes who pays and when risk transfers. It never changes the dutiable base.
That is the core distinction between FOB, CIF and DAP under Incoterms 2020. DAP shifts delivery risk to the seller past discharge. The customs valuation still rebuilds to CIF.
What is the DUCA-D?
The DUCA-D is the Declaración Única Centroamericana, modality D, used for definitive imports into El Salvador. It can be prepared by a licensed agente aduanal or, under the diaspora regime, ex officio by Customs at your request (DACG DGA-016-2025).
The DUCA-D carries the HS classification, the declared value, the DAI rate and the final tax liquidation. Whether you need a broker depends on your situation; confirm with a licensed customs agent or the DGA before shipping.
Pro Tip
Ask your broker for the exact HS code before you buy. A 2020 Toyota Tacoma classified as a pickup can carry a materially lower DAI line than the same-value SUV. That single classification difference can swing your tax bill by $1,500 or more on a $15,000 CIF unit.
How does the DGA value a used car (valor de referencia)?
Quick Answer: El Salvador's Dirección General de Aduanas values used vehicles using its own valor de referencia tables, not your bill of sale. The DGA pulls from published price guides by make, model, year and trim, then applies depreciation by model year. Confirm with a licensed customs agent how your invoice and the guide value will be weighed.
This is the single biggest gap between what buyers expect and what they pay. The DGA maintains internal reference valuation tables. Those tables draw from North American price guides such as Black Book and NADA equivalents.
Customs compares your declared value against those guide values, and the assessed value can end up above what you paid.
How depreciation works by model year
The reference tables apply depreciation as the model year ages. A three-year-old unit carries a higher reference value than a seven-year-old unit of the same trim.
But the depreciation curve is conservative. It rarely matches real auction pricing. Salvage and high-mileage units are frequently still valued near clean retail condition.
Why a $3,500 auction car gets taxed at $8,000
Here is the scenario we see constantly on the Miami-Acajutla lane. A buyer wins a 2019 sedan at a Copart auction for $3,500. The unit has front-end damage and a rebuilt title.
The DGA reference table shows a clean 2019 sedan of that trim at $8,000. Customs assesses DAI and IVA on $8,000 plus freight and insurance. The importer budgeted $1,600 in taxes and receives a liquidation near $3,900.
How to challenge a valuation
You can contest a reference value, but you need evidence. Ask a licensed customs agent how to present supporting documents to the DGA.
- Original auction invoice with lot number and sale date
- Condition report and damage photos from the auction house
- Independent appraisal from a licensed valuator
- Title showing salvage, rebuilt or flood branding
- Repair estimates if the unit arrived damaged
Success is not guaranteed. Plan your budget on the reference value, not your purchase price. Treat any reduction as a bonus.
Never understate your declared value
The DGA cross-checks declared values against its reference tables automatically. Undervaluation triggers fines (multas), a cargo hold at Acajutla, and in serious cases, seizure of the vehicle. Penalties can exceed the tax you tried to avoid. Declare the true purchase price and let the reference table govern the assessment.
What year cars can you import into El Salvador?
Quick Answer: El Salvador bans light passenger and cargo vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture, and Customs applies a 7-year limit to used hybrid or electric vehicles. The year is taken from the model year on the title, or failing that from the tenth digit of the VIN. For buses and heavy trucks, confirm the rule with a licensed customs agent. Always confirm the live DGA rule before purchase.
The car year restrictions el salvador enforces are strict and non-negotiable at the port. The rules exist to control emissions and road safety.
| Vehicle type | Maximum age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars, SUVs | 8 years from manufacture | Ley de Transporte Terrestre |
| Pickups, light trucks | 8 years from manufacture | Light cargo vehicles, same rule |
| Used hybrid or electric | 7 years | Per Customs |
| Buses (transporte colectivo) | Confirm with a licensed customs agent | — |
| Heavy cargo trucks, cabezales | Confirm with a licensed customs agent | Commercial classification |
| Motorcycles | 8 years from manufacture | Classed as light passenger vehicles |
The off-by-one mistake buyers make
The cutoff moves as the years pass, so a vehicle admissible today may fall outside the window by the time it arrives.
If your vessel arrives after the calendar flips, the model year math changes. We see this every year with December sailings. Buy with at least one year of margin when your purchase lands near the cutoff.
Salvage, flood and rebuilt titles
Salvage vehicles are excluded from the diaspora vehicle benefit, and used electric or hybrid vehicles with salvage, total-loss, junk or flood-damage titles cannot be imported (Decreto Legislativo 738, as reformed in 2024). For other branded titles, confirm with a licensed customs agent before you buy. They still create risk. Inspectors at Acajutla examine the unit physically.
Structurally compromised units draw extra scrutiny. Your broker should review photos before the vehicle loads at the US port.
Classic and collector vehicles
Vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture fall outside the import rule for light vehicles. If you are considering a classic, confirm with a licensed customs agent or the DGA whether any exception applies before you ship.
If you are moving a classic elsewhere in the region, our Classic Car Shipping Calculator: 2026 Instant Quotes covers enclosed container handling and valuation for collector units.
Verify the model year before you pay
Auction listings sometimes show the manufacture year, not the model year. Confirm the model year against VIN position 10 and the title document. A rejected vehicle at Acajutla means re-export at your cost — typically $1,500-$2,500 in return freight plus accrued storage.
Does El Salvador charge duty on cars made in the United States?
Quick Answer: Not always. Under CAFTA-DR, vehicles that qualify as originating in the United States can enter El Salvador at 0% DAI. You must present a valid certificate of origin and the vehicle must meet the regional value content rules. IVA of 13% still applies to every import.
CAFTA-DR is the free trade agreement between the US, the Dominican Republic and five Central American countries. It eliminates DAI on qualifying originating goods, including motor vehicles.
The savings are substantial. DAI is the largest tax line on a vehicle import. A successful origin claim can cut your total tax burden by more than 50%.
| Scenario | CIF value | DAI | IVA (13%) | Total taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No preference (30% DAI) | $15,000 | $4,500 | $2,535 | $7,035 |
| CAFTA-DR claim (0% DAI) | $15,000 | $0 | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Savings | — | $4,500 | $585 | $5,085 |
Assembly location is not the same as origin
A Ford badge does not make a car US-origin. Many US-brand vehicles are assembled in Mexico, Canada, Korea or Japan.
Mexican and Canadian assembly may qualify under other regional rules, but the analysis differs. Asian-assembled units generally do not qualify for CAFTA-DR preference at all.
Reading the VIN for origin clues
VIN position 1 gives you a fast first check. It indicates the country of final assembly.
- 1, 4, 5 — United States
- 2 — Canada
- 3 — Mexico
- J — Japan
- K — South Korea
- W — Germany
A VIN starting with 1, 4 or 5 supports your origin argument. It is not proof on its own. Customs still requires a certificate of origin.
What the certificate of origin must show
CAFTA-DR allows certification by the producer, the exporter or the importer. The certificate must identify the vehicle, state the origin criterion and carry an authorized signature.
Used vehicles create a practical problem. The original producer will not issue a certificate for a car sold years ago. Importer certification based on VIN evidence and manufacturer documentation becomes the working path — and DGA acceptance varies by case.
For a parallel example of how free trade agreements reduce duty on US-origin goods, see our Import Duties on Machinery from USA to Colombia: Complete 2026 Guide.
Pro Tip
Per the US Department of Commerce guidance on El Salvador import tariffs, claiming CAFTA-DR preference at entry gets you the lower duty right away; an importer who pays full duties can still claim preference and ask for a refund within one year of importation. Ask your agente aduanal to flag the CAFTA-DR preference on the DUCA-D before liquidation. A post-entry claim means paying full duties first and waiting for the refund.
How do I calculate customs duties for a car shipped to El Salvador?
Quick Answer: Work in five steps: confirm the DGA reference value, add ocean freight and insurance to build CIF, multiply CIF by the DAI rate, apply 13% IVA to CIF plus DAI, then add any other applicable taxes, broker and port charges. The calculator on this page runs all five automatically.
Every reliable el salvador car import tax calculator follows the same five-step chain. Run it manually once so you understand your own numbers.
- Confirm the DGA reference value for your make, model, year and trim.
- Build CIF: reference value + ocean freight + marine insurance.
- Multiply CIF by the DAI rate from the SAC tariff line.
- Apply 13% IVA to the sum of CIF plus DAI.
- Add any other applicable taxes, broker fee, port handling and storage.
Three worked examples at different values
These assume RoRo freight from Miami to Acajutla at approx. $2,000 and no CAFTA-DR preference. Insurance is calculated at 1.5% of vehicle value.
| Line item | $5,000 sedan | $18,000 SUV | $45,000 pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| DGA reference value | $6,500 | $19,500 | $46,000 |
| Ocean freight (RoRo) | approx. $2,000 | approx. $2,000 | approx. $2,000 |
| Marine insurance | $98 | $293 | $690 |
| CIF base | $8,598 | $21,793 | $48,690 |
| DAI (30% / 30% / 5%) | $2,579 | $6,538 | $2,435 |
| IVA 13% on CIF + DAI | $1,453 | $3,683 | $6,646 |
| Other taxes (estimate) | $60 | $90 | $140 |
| Broker fee (agente aduanal) | $300 | $400 | $550 |
| Port handling, Acajutla | $180 | $180 | $220 |
| Total landed cost | $13,170 | $32,684 | $58,681 |
Notice the pickup carries a lower DAI rate of 5%, per El Salvador's Dirección General de Aduanas. That single classification difference saves roughly $12,200 in DAI versus a 30% passenger car rate.
Duty estimate
A calculator estimate uses market reference values and standard tariff lines. It gets you within 5-10% in most cases. Use it to budget, negotiate purchase price, and decide between RoRo and container.
DUCA-D liquidation
The final liquidation is issued by the DGA after the broker files the declaration. It uses the official reference table and the confirmed HS code. This is the binding number you pay before release at Acajutla.
Build your own printable worksheet
Copy these variables into a spreadsheet and you have a working offline calculator.
- Cell A: vehicle reference value (editable)
- Cell B: ocean freight quote
- Cell C: insurance = A × 0.015
- Cell D: CIF = A + B + C
- Cell E: DAI = D × your tariff rate
- Cell F: IVA = (D + E) × 0.13
- Cell G: total taxes = E + F + specific fees
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Run the full CIF, DAI and IVA math for your specific vehicle — no email required.
Go to the calculator →RoRo vs container: how much to ship a car to Acajutla?
Quick Answer: RoRo from Miami to Acajutla runs approx. $2,000; port-to-port ocean transit from Miami is 26 days. A shared 40' container costs approx. $2,300 per vehicle. An exclusive 20' container costs $3,302 from Miami (September 2026 rates) but lets you load personal effects and protects the vehicle from weather and handling damage.
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Which shipping method fits your vehicle?
| Method | Cost per vehicle | Transit days | Personal items | Damage risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo | approx. $2,000 | 26 | No | Moderate — open deck |
| Shared 40' container | approx. $2,300 | 26 | Limited | Low |
| Exclusive 20' container | $3,302 (Sep 2026) | 26 | Yes, full load | Lowest |
| Exclusive 40' container | approx. $3,200-$3,900 | 26 | Yes, 2 cars + goods | Lowest |
Choose RoRo when
Your vehicle is a standard running sedan or SUV, you are shipping nothing but the car, and cost is the priority. RoRo requires the unit to drive on and off under its own power. Non-running vehicles need container loading.
Choose container when
You are shipping a high-value, classic or non-running vehicle, or you want to load household goods alongside it. An exclusive 20' container also lets you combine the move with a menaje de casa declaration for returning residents.
Which US port should you ship from?
| US port | RoRo freight range | Sailing frequency | Transit to Acajutla |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades | approx. $2,000 | Weekly | 26 days |
| Houston | approx. $2,050 | Bi-weekly | 31 days |
| Newark / NY | approx. $2,050 | Bi-weekly | 14 days |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | approx. $1,800 | Bi-weekly | 14 days |
| Savannah | approx. $2,000 | Bi-weekly | Confirm at booking |
Most El Salvador services transship through Panama or Manzanillo before reaching the Pacific coast. Acajutla is the primary vehicle gateway. Puerto La Unión handles limited traffic.
Free time and storage at Acajutla
Acajutla grants a short free-time window after discharge. Storage charges start once that window closes.
In warehouses run by Customs, storing a motor vehicle costs USD 10 a day (DGA, as of October 2026); port and private warehouse rates vary, so confirm them before the vessel arrives. Container demurrage runs higher. Clearance delays from a missing title are the usual cause — file your paperwork before the vessel arrives.
For regional rate benchmarks, compare our Car Shipping to Costa Rica Calculator: 2026 Rates and the Car Shipping Calculator: Miami to Colombia Rates & Costs 2026.
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Go to the calculator →What documents are required to import a car into El Salvador?
Quick Answer: Customs lists the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, a certificate of origin when a free trade agreement applies, and the DUCA goods declaration; for a vehicle you also need the original US title. Confirm the full list for your case with a licensed customs agent. Missing or lien-flagged titles are the single most common cause of clearance delays at Acajutla.
- Original title — free of liens, signed over to the buyer
- Factura comercial or bill of sale — showing price and seller details
- Bill of Lading (B/L) — original or telex release from the carrier
- Passport or DUI — importer identification
- Written power of attorney — only if a customs agent or another person acts for you
- CAFTA-DR certificate of origin — only if claiming 0% DAI preference
The US export side you cannot skip
According to CBP regulations on motor vehicle import and export, the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy, plus two complete copies, with the VIN, must be presented to CBP at least 72 hours before export.
Skip that filing and the vehicle does not load. The carrier rolls it to the next sailing. That costs you 7-14 days on a weekly Miami service.
With thousands of vehicle shipments processed across the Miami-LatAm corridor, we see the same failure repeatedly: the buyer is still waiting on a title from a lender. Confirm the lien release before booking.
What clearance actually costs at Acajutla
| Charge | Typical range | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Broker fee (agente aduanal) | $250-$600 | Customs broker |
| Port handling / THC | Varies by terminal | Port terminal |
| Non-intrusive inspection | USD 18 (only official customs charge) | DGA |
| Storage after free time | USD 10/day in Customs-run warehouses; other rates vary | DGA or terminal |
| Inland transport to San Salvador | $120-$250 | Trucker |
Clearance time depends on complete documents and the selectivo result; confirm the expected timing with a licensed customs agent. Missing paperwork delays release, and storage accrues daily.
A lien on the title stops everything
On the US side, CBP requires a vehicle with a recorded lien to carry a letter from the lienholder expressly allowing export (19 CFR 192.2). Get the lender's release letter and a clean title before the car ships. Fixing this after arrival means paying storage at Acajutla while mail crosses two countries — often $400-$900 in avoidable cost.
Who qualifies for exemptions, and what does registration cost?
Quick Answer: Under the 2025 diaspora law, Salvadorans living abroad, whether returning for holidays, temporarily or permanently, may bring up to 2 light vehicles per family group exempt from import duties and taxes and from the first-registration tax (DACG DGA-016-2025). After clearance, budget for registration with the VMT and confirm current fees there.
The returning resident franchise
Under the diaspora law (DACG DGA-016-2025, valid to 21 August 2030), Salvadorans living abroad, whether returning for holidays, temporarily or permanently, may bring up to 2 light vehicles per family group exempt from import duties and taxes and from the first-registration tax. The rules are specific.
- No minimum time abroad is required
- The vehicle must be kept in ownership at least two years after import
- Up to 2 light vehicles per family group
- Resale restriction after import — selling early can trigger the full tax
- Sworn declaration signed before the DGME stating your domicile in El Salvador
Requirements change with policy. Confirm the current terms with the DGA or your broker before you buy the car abroad.
Menaje de casa alongside the vehicle
Household goods shipped as menaje de casa receive separate treatment from the vehicle. Returning residents can often move used personal and household effects at reduced or zero duty.
This is where an exclusive 20' or 40' container pays for itself. You load the car plus furniture and appliances in one shipment. RoRo cannot carry personal effects.
Electric and hybrid vehicle incentives
Electric and hybrid vehicles both have a 0% import duty; new ones are 100% exempt from import IVA and the first-registration tax, and used ones 25% exempt, for ten years from the law's entry into force (Decreto Legislativo 738 of 2021, as reformed by Decreto 465 in 2024).
Confirm the current incentive before you buy — these programs change by decree. Practically, charging infrastructure clusters in San Salvador, Santa Tecla and Antiguo Cuscatlán. Outside the metro area, plan on 110V or 220V home charging only.
What registration costs after clearance
| Step | Authority | Typical cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plate issuance | VMT | Confirm with the VMT | Varies |
| Tarjeta de circulación | VMT | Confirm with the VMT | Same visit |
| Revisión vehicular | Authorized center | $20-$45 | 1 day |
| First-year circulation tax | VMT | Confirm with the VMT | At registration |
| Total | — | Confirm with the VMT | Varies |
Import from the US or buy locally?
| Factor | Import from USA | Buy in El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost (mid-size SUV) | $28,000-$32,000 | $31,000-$38,000 |
| Vehicle selection | Very wide — US auction market | Limited local inventory |
| Warranty | Usually none on used imports | Dealer warranty available |
| Parts availability | Strong for Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai | Matches local fleet |
| Time to drive it | 5-8 weeks door to plate | Days |
| Resale value | Solid if popular model | Solid |
Importing usually wins on price for popular models with strong US supply. It loses on speed and warranty. Rare European models are a poor import bet because parts are scarce locally.
Pro Tip
Run your el salvador car import tax calculator estimate before you bid at auction, not after. Add the tax estimate to your maximum bid and compare against local dealer pricing in San Salvador. If the gap is under $2,000, buying locally often makes more sense once you count 6 weeks of transit and clearance.
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Price your vehicle shipment and estimate DAI, IVA and landed cost in one place.
Go to the calculator →Start with real numbers, not guesses
Quick Answer: Budget DAI (25-30% for most passenger cars) plus 13% IVA on CIF plus DAI in taxes, $3,002 (Los Angeles) to $3,437 (Houston) in ocean freight for a car in its own 20 ft container from a US port to Acajutla (September 2026 rates; RoRo approx. $1,800-$2,050), $400-$900 in broker and port charges, and VMT registration fees.
The buyers who get burned are the ones who budget on purchase price alone. The DGA reference value and the stacked DAI-plus-IVA structure do most of the damage.
AB Group Shipping moves vehicles on the Miami-Acajutla lane every week using RoRo and container services. We coordinate with licensed Salvadoran agentes aduanales for the DUCA-D filing. For duty classification or tax advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed customs broker — we handle the freight and the documentation flow.
Use the calculator above to price RoRo, shared container and exclusive container options for your exact vehicle and US port. Real rates in seconds, no email required and no follow-up calls.
Total taxes depend on the vehicle's tariff line. DAI is 25-30% for most passenger cars, then IVA of 13% is applied to CIF plus DAI. Confirm any other applicable taxes for your vehicle with a licensed customs agent before shipping.
Light passenger and cargo vehicles more than 8 years from manufacture cannot be imported, and Customs applies a 7-year limit to used hybrid or electric vehicles. For buses and heavy trucks, confirm the rule with a licensed customs agent. Verify the current DGA rule before you buy, because the cutoff moves as the years pass.
Not necessarily. Under CAFTA-DR, a vehicle that qualifies as US-originating can enter at 0% DAI with a valid certificate of origin. IVA of 13% still applies, and assembly outside the US — in Mexico, Canada or Asia — usually disqualifies the preference.
Port-to-port ocean transit from Miami to Acajutla takes 26 days. Customs clearance with the DGA follows once the vessel discharges, and its length depends on your documents. Total door-to-plate time is usually 4-6 weeks.
Budget for registration with the VMT and confirm current fees there. That covers VMT plate issuance, the tarjeta de circulación, the revisión vehicular inspection and the first-year circulation tax. Costs scale with vehicle type and engine size, and a customs broker can bundle registration into their service for an added fee.
Sources
We checked the rules and figures in this guide against these sources on October 18, 2026.
- Dirección General de Aduanas de la República de El Salvador: Impuestos a pagar
- International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce: 7.2-CAFTA-DR Documenting Origin · 2016-10-18
- International Trade Administration (trade.gov): El Salvador - Import Tariffs · 2026-05-05
- United States International Trade Commission: Tariff Database Code Key
- Asamblea Legislativa de El Salvador (via UIF): Ley Especial para Sancionar Infracciones Aduaneras (DL 551/2001) · 2001-09-20
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Exporting a Motor Vehicle
- DACG DGA-016-2025, 21 Aug 2025
- US Country Commercial Guide El Salvador, 'Import Tariffs', 2026-05-05
- Ley de Impuesto a la Transferencia de Bienes Muebles y a la Prestación de Servicios arts. 48-g and 54
- Ley de Transporte Terrestre, Tránsito y Seguridad Vial, arts. 12 and 34, text updated to January 2026 on the customs site
✓ 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]
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