The capital of El Salvador, San Salvador is the most populated city and municipality of the country. It is the cultural, financial and educational hub and due to that there are an increasing number of foreigners and expatriates in the country.
If you plan on moving here for a few months or a couple of years, having your vehicle with you can give you the freedom of movement.
However, there are many specifications and requirements that have to be fulfilled before the vehicle can be imported to El Salvador. To start with, it is mandatory to possess an original and clear title. If the vehicle is under a lien, you need to present a letter authorizing the vehicle to be shipped abroad.
Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to San Salvador
| To/From | Ground | Ocean | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY to (New York port) to San Salvador | $275 | $4050 | 5+33 days |
| Los Angeles to (California port) to San Salvador | $350 | $2750 | 5+22 days |
| San Salvador to (California port) to Las Vegas, NV | $450 | $2750 | 5+22 days |
| San Salvador to (California port) to Portland, OR | $475 | $2750 | 6+22 days |
| Seattle, WA to (California port) to San Salvador | $550 | $2750 | 6+22 days |
| San Salvador to (New York port) to Columbus, OH | $550 | $4050 | 5+33 days |
| San Salvador to (New York port) to Charlotte, NC | $575 | $4050 | 6+33 days |
| Atlanta, GA to (New York port) to San Salvador | $700 | $4050 | 6+33 days |
| San Salvador to (California port) to Denver, CO | $775 | $2750 | 7+22 days |
| San Salvador to (New York port) to Houston, TX | $1,075 | $4050 | 7+33 days |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.
*Save the ground transport cost by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for 1 car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
Motor vehicle regulations.
For exporting your vehicle to this place, the U.S Customs will ask you to drop the car off at the pier from where it is likely to be shipped out after 72 hours. This time is enough for checking out the vehicle proficiency and verification of the documents. It will give time to the El Salvador Customs to assure that nothing has been placed in the vehicle after going through initial inspection.
In case you are planning to drive to El Salvador, you might have to reconsider it. The roads, situated between the Southern US and El Salvador are not maintained properly, and some junctions are termed as quite dangerous. That is why it is best to ship your vehicle by freight shipping with the assistance of A1 Auto Transport Company. You can easily import your car in El Salvador in an efficient and safe manner. You need to be present in this country to complete the auto shipment process. You need to be present in San Salvador, when the vehicle arrives and submit the proper identification upon arrival to clear the El Salvador customs. These include:
- Title deed.
- Insurance and registration certificate.
- Bill of Lading.
- Invoice of vehicle purchase.
- Passport and photo ID of owner.
- Permit to import.
- Listed details of the vehicle- VIN, chassis/engine number, model, year of manufacture.
The cost of shipping includes the methods including RORO and Container shipping. If you have an expensive vehicle, it is best to use container shipping and in case, you are just shipping the vehicle, RORO works best. You need to oversee the process and make sure that A1 Auto Transport service is with you at every step. The company plays a pivotal role in this entire procedure, and we are going to help you and your car after arriving in El Salvador.
Costs associated with shipping.
El Salvador works on Central American Tariff Service. The vehicle is considered as a commodity and that is why there is a 13% tax on the vehicle. Other than VAT, you have to pay 30% of your vehicle’s present CIF value, depending on make, year, and model of the vehicle.
Auto transportation.
The auto shipping company must be a license holder and bonded through Federal Maritime Commission. It offers you with greater protective level and ensures that the firm receives higher licensure level. And A1 Auto Transport service meets all legal requirements.
We recommend that you take the tags off the car before shipping. The plates can be stolen off the vehicles, which can be an issue. The vehicles, which are shipped via container shipping and RORO, must be cleaned and have an empty gas tank, as mentioned by the U.S. Customs. To know more details about shipping to San Salvador, you can contact the Embassy of El Salvador.
Written By:Joe Webster
Joe Webster began his journey in the auto transport field by attending the University of Southern California (USC), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Marketing.
After college, he started his career in the auto transport industry from the bottom up and has done virtually every job there is to do at A-1 Auto Transport, including but not limited to: Truck Driver, Dispatch, Sales, PR, Bookkeeping, Transport Planner, Transport Manager, International Transport Manager, Brokering, Customer Service, and Marketing. Working with his mentor Tony Taylor, Joe Webster has learned the ins and outs of this industry which is largely misunderstood.
With over 30 years experience in the industry, we've been helping people ship their vehicles, motorcycles, RV's, heavy equipment, household goods and more across the country or overseas without a hitch. Ask us anything.
