The Savior

Here You Will Find Customs Information For Your Move To The Savior!

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required
  • Passport
  • Residence permit / work permit
  • Visa
  • Numero de identificacion (NIT) from the Ministry of Finance
  • Certificate of migratory movement from the Immigration General Office
  • Temporary import permit
  • Bank guarantee, if applicable
  • Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
  • Detailed inventory in Spanish
  • Packing list
  • Letter of employment
  • Certificate of change of residence
  • Certificate of residence abroad (returning citizens)
  • Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)
Specific Information
  • All shipments are subject to inspection.
  • The owners of the goods must be present for Customs clearance.
  • Household goods and personal effects are duty free provided they have been owned and used by the owner of the goods for at least 6 months.
  • The shipment must arrive within 90 days of the owner of the goods’ arrival.
  • Customs clearance takes approximately 2-3 business days.
  • Items cannot be sold, loaned or disposed of during the owner of the goods’ stay.
  • Returning residents must have lived abroad for at least 3 years for duty-free import and provide proof of residency abroad; citizens must not have returned to El Salvador for more than 30 consecutive days during the 3-year period of official residency abroad.
    • Contact the destination agent for specific requirements of eligibility.
  • The certificate of residence can be obtained from the Salvadoran Consulate and must verify the location and time spent abroad.
  • The packing list must include the value of each item and the make, model, and serial number of electrical appliances.
  • Foreign diplomats and certain government / organization members are granted duty-free entry.
    • Documents must be received by the destination agent 15 days prior to the owner of the goods’ arrival.
  • Foreigners may qualify for a 6-month delay of duty payment with a bank guarantee for an amount equal to the Customs valuation of the shipment; however, the payment is required upon expiration of the guarantee.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required
  • Passport
  • Driver’s license
  • Certificate of title / registration
  • Purchase / commercial invoice
  • OBL
  • Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)
  • Certificate of compliance (new vehicles)
  • Certificate of emissions (used vehicles)
Specific Information
  • The vehicle title must be under the owner of the goods’ name for at least 3 months prior to departure from the origin country.
  • Vehicles must arrive within 6 months of owner of the goods’ entry date.
  • Vehicles must be registered / titles under the owner of the goods’ name.
  • The importation of new vehicles is subject to the Ministry of Commerce regulations and is limited to certain types of vehicles.
  • New vehicles may not be imported.
  • Diplomats can import used or new cars with a diplomatic franchise issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs duty free.
    • The owner of the goods should confirm that diplomatic status will allow the procedure.
  • Returning Argentine citizens may import used vehicles only (one car and one motorcycle for each adult member of the family).
    • The importation will be dutiable, except in very specific cases.
  • Foreigners with permanent resident status may import used vehicles only, under the same rules that apply to returning Argentine citizens.
  • Foreigners with a temporary visa may import used vehicles under temporary admission and will not be charged duties and taxes.
    • Vehicles are only allowed temporary admission for the duration of the visa and can be renewed upon renewal of the visa.
    • Vehicles must be removed from Argentina prior to the expiration of the visa.
  • Vehicles must retain original plates.
  • Argentine citizens possessing a residence certificate, issued by the Argentine Consulate from the origin country, and living abroad for more than 2 years can import one car duty free unless the car is valued at more than USD $15,000, then duties and taxes will be assessed on it.
  • The duties and taxes are as follows:
    • Standard autos            81% of the cost, insurance, and freight value (CIF)
    • Diesel                           100% CIF
    • Motorcycles                  110% CIF
  • The residence certificate must state the duration the owner of the goods has lived abroad (Argentine citizens with permanent residence visa).

Pets

Documents Required
  • Rabies vaccination record
  • Veterinary health certificate
  • Import permit
Specific Information
  • The vaccination record must be issued within 6 months of arrival of the animal.
  • The veterinary health certificate must be issued within 15 days of arrival of the animal by a licensed veterinarian at origin.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Firearms and ammunition (a permit from the local police is required)
  • Live plants (an original invoice, phytosanitary certificate and a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture are required; subject to payment of duties)
  • Medications (a permit from the local drug administration is required)
  • Cigarettes (200) and cigars (50)
  • Alcohol (an import permit is required)
  • The following items require an original invoice and are subject to the payment of duties:
    • Appliances, machines and spare parts (duty free for diplomats)
    • Gifts and souvenirs
    • Antiques and works of art
    • Precious metal objects, including jewelry and coins
    • Household and electrical items (serial number, make and model must be included on the detailed inventory)
    • Carpets
    • Wine (a permit from a local health department is required)
    • Food items (a phytosanitary certificate is required if the item is not canned and a certificate that the item is approved for human consumption)

Prohibited Items

  • Illegal drugs
  • Pornographic and subversive materials
  • Military clothing and equipment
  • Cleaning chemicals and supplies

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

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