Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to El Salvador
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, Los Angeles / Long Beach, and other ports to Acajutla in 6–16 days port to port, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,300.
Acajutla receives a steady flow of U.S. vehicles and salvage units feeding one of Central America's busiest rebuild industries — with bilingual customs support and per-VIN landed cost quotes.
El Salvador at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,300+
- Ocean transit
- 6–9 days (West Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Acajutla
- Import duty + VAT
- DAI ≤30% + 13% IVA
- Vehicle age limit
- ~8 yrs for light vehicles
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to El Salvador: What You Need to Know
El Salvador runs one of the busiest U.S. salvage and used-vehicle pipelines in the hemisphere, anchored by Acajutla on the Pacific coast. A deep rebuild industry around San Salvador restores auction units for local buyers and neighboring markets, and a remittance-driven economy keeps demand steady year after year. Light vehicles face an age limit of roughly eight years, so model-year checks come before any auction bid.
Landed cost combines DAI import duty — up to 30% for passenger cars, less for pickups and work trucks — with 13% IVA on the duty-inclusive value. Because duty is assessed on declared value, properly documented salvage purchases often carry modest totals relative to the vehicle's rebuilt worth. We consolidate multiple units per container from Gulf and West Coast yards and quote every VIN's full landed cost up front.
Documentation is what separates a smooth El Salvador clearance from a stalled one. Salvage and rebuilt-title vehicles need a clean U.S. title trail, the bill of sale, and accurate odometer and condition declarations, because Salvadoran customs cross-checks declared value against recognized references. We assemble that file before the container loads at Acajutla, flag any title brand that could complicate registration, and coordinate with the local broker so the unit moves from port to the San Salvador rebuild shops without demurrage. For buyers shipping more than one car, container consolidation spreads the ocean cost across units and keeps per-vehicle freight low.
Key takeaway
Light vehicles must be roughly 8 years old or newer. Budget DAI duty up to 30% plus 13% IVA on cars — pickups and work trucks land cheaper, and salvage units assessed at purchase price can be exceptional value.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to El Salvador
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Acajutla | 6–9 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Acajutla | 8–12 days | Bi-weekly |
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Acajutla | 9–13 days | Bi-weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Acajutla | 12–16 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Acajutla | 11–15 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to El Salvador from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to El Salvador, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches El Salvador fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to El Salvador
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,300 – $1,900 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,400 – $3,300 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $3,200 – $4,500 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentEl Salvador Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars (≤8 yrs) | 25–30% | 13% IVA | 8-year age limit applies |
| Pickups & work trucks | 5–15% | 13% IVA | Longer age windows allowed |
| Salvage / rebuildable units | 25–30% | 13% IVA | Assessed on declared value |
| Motorcycles | 25–30% | 13% IVA | Engine size dependent |
| Heavy machinery | 0–5% | 13% IVA | Most equipment low duty |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Buying salvage to rebuild?
We consolidate three to four salvage units per 40ft container from U.S. auction yards, handle title and export documentation, and quote DAI plus IVA per VIN before you bid — the standard pipeline for San Salvador's rebuild trade.
What We Ship to El Salvador
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into El Salvador's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for El Salvador.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to El Salvador.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to El Salvador
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → El Salvador Routes
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Acajutla
6–9 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Acajutla
8–12 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Acajutla
9–13 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Acajutla
11–15 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to El Salvador Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
6–9 days (West Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Acajutla.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to El Salvador. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Light vehicles must be roughly eight years old or newer to import into El Salvador, so a model-year check comes before any auction bid. Pickups and work trucks generally get longer age windows. Send us the VIN and year and we'll confirm eligibility against the current rule so you never buy a unit that can't clear at Acajutla.
Very often, yes. El Salvador runs one of the busiest U.S. salvage and rebuild pipelines in the hemisphere, anchored at Acajutla with a deep repair industry around San Salvador. Because DAI duty is assessed on declared value, a properly documented salvage purchase often carries a modest total relative to the rebuilt worth. We consolidate multiple units per container and quote DAI plus 13% IVA per VIN up front.
Landed cost combines DAI import duty — up to about 30% for passenger cars, less for pickups and work trucks (5–15%) — with 13% IVA on the duty-inclusive value. Salvage units are assessed on declared value. We quote every VIN's full landed cost up front so the auction math is clear before you commit.
From the West Coast it's just 6–9 days to Acajutla on the Pacific. Gulf and East Coast origins (Houston, Miami, Savannah, New York) run 8–16 days, typically biweekly. We consolidate multiple units per container from Gulf and West Coast yards with bilingual customs support at arrival, which keeps both freight and clearance efficient.
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