Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and El Salvador

Central America and the Caribbean · 1 port guide · US free trade agreement partner

In 2025 the United States exported $4.6 billion of goods to El Salvador and imported $2.3 billion from there. El Salvador ranked 48th among US export markets and 68th among sources of US imports.

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3 ports in El Salvador recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$4.6BUp 1.2% on 2024 ($4.5 billion)
US imports, 2025
$2.3BDown 1.3% on 2024 ($2.3 billion)
Goods balance
$2.3BUS surplus
Export market rank
48thAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
68thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to El Salvador

Mineral fuels and oils (chapter 27) led US exports to El Salvador at $1.8 billion, 39% of the total. The top three chapters made up 50%.

  1. 27Mineral fuels and oils$1.8 billion38.7%
  2. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$266.7 million5.8%
  3. 87Vehicles and parts$253.0 million5.5%
  4. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$246.8 million5.4%
  5. 10Cereals$210.9 million4.6%

US imports from El Salvador

Knitted apparel (chapter 61) led US imports from El Salvador at $1.2 billion, 51% of the total. The top three chapters made up 66%.

  1. 61Knitted apparel$1.2 billion51.2%
  2. 98Special classification provisions$194.9 million8.6%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$133.5 million5.9%
  4. 17Sugar and confectionery$131.8 million5.8%
  5. 09Coffee, tea and spices$94.1 million4.1%

Trade terms

The United States and El Salvador are parties to the Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR). Goods that meet its rules of origin can qualify for reduced or zero duty. Our certificates of origin page covers the paperwork.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents El Salvador requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with El Salvador.

Exports through the port, 2025
$25.5M0.6% of the US total with El Salvador
Leading export goods
Machinery and mechanical appliancesHS chapter 84, $4.5 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$5.0M0.2% of the US total with El Salvador
Leading import goods
Other made-up textilesHS chapter 63, $2.2 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in El Salvador

1 port in El Salvador has a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for El Salvador: Acajutla Offshore Terminal and La Union.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.