El salvador Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in el salvador, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Market Overview
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The United States remains El Salvador’s leading trade partner and a highly receptive market for U.S. products and services. In 2024, U.S. merchandise exports to El Salvador totaled approximately USD 4.4 billion, accounting for 27% of El Salvador’s total imports. El Salvador’s merchandise exports to the United States in 2024 totaled approximately USD 2.1 billion, accounting for about 33% of its total exports. 

El Salvador’s economy is predominantly services-based; its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 was USD 35.3 billion. Economic activities with the most significant growth were insurance and financial activities, with a 9.4% increase, lodging and food services, with an 8.7% increase, and arts, entertainment, and recreational activities, with an 8.4% increase, according to the Central Bank of El Salvador. 

U.S. companies exporting to El Salvador benefit from the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which provides zero percent duties on U.S. consumer and industrial goods. CAFTA-DR entered into force on March 1, 2006, and has contributed to dramatic increases in the United States’ bilateral trade with El Salvador and broader trade throughout the Central American region.

El Salvador continues to prioritize improving the business environment and attracting foreign direct investment by streamlining regulations, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, digitizing government services, and enhancing border security and customs procedures. El Salvador’s dollarized economy eliminates foreign exchange risk and lowers transaction and financial costs. In January 2025, El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly removed Bitcoin’s status as legal tender. Accepting payments in Bitcoin is entirely voluntary for companies. Government entities, however, are not permitted to receive or make payments in Bitcoin, including for taxes and fees. 

There are 225 U.S. subsidiaries in El Salvador from 105 U.S. parent companies. U.S. companies with a market presence include AES Corp, Citibank, Chevron, Hanesbrands, Delta, Equifax, FedEx, Fruit of the Loom, Google, Kimberly-Clark, Microsoft, PriceSmart, SBA Communications, United, Walmart, and many others, as well as dozens of U.S franchises. 

Political & Economic Environment: State Department’s website for background on the country’s political environment.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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