Sea Freight from China to Acajutla, El Salvador — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → Acajutla · via SAL air / Acajutla sea · clearance by Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador
Acajutla is the country's main Pacific port, and it is served through SAL air / Acajutla sea. That combination is what actually sets your delivery date on this lane — the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
The clearing authority is Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador. Historical dwell on this gateway is around 3–8 days, and it lengthens in Sep–Nov.
Duty, tax and clearance into Acajutla
Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Acajutla consignees. Current regime: IVA 13%; Central American common tariff 0–15%, with a de-minimis position of USD 200 for courier consignments.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: Health registration for food and cosmetics; conformity for regulated goods. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for El Salvador: Acajutla has limited direct Asian calls — most cargo transships. Compare the Guatemala routing, which is sometimes faster overall.
How this lane actually runs
El Salvador uses the US dollar, which simplifies pricing, and Acajutla on the Pacific gives a shorter routing from China than the Atlantic Central American ports. Many consignees also clear through Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala and truck across, so it is worth comparing both when quoting.
| Sea gateways used | Acajutla |
|---|---|
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 22–30 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Acajutla | SAL air / Acajutla sea |
| Inland leg to Acajutla | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: Health registration for food and cosmetics; conformity for regulated goods.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Put the Acajutla delivery address, contact name and phone number on the invoice, not just the packing list.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Acajutla take?
China to the El Salvador gateway is 22–30 calendar days. On top of that, allow 3–8 days of clearance with Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador and a same-day inland leg to Acajutla.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Acajutla?
Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador applies: IVA 13%; Central American common tariff 0–15%. The de-minimis position is USD 200 for courier consignments. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Acajutla.
Which port or airport does cargo for Acajutla clear through?
Cargo for Acajutla is routed via SAL air / Acajutla sea. Sea gateways for El Salvador are Acajutla; air gateways are SAL (San Salvador). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
When is the busiest time on the China–El Salvador lane?
Space and rates tighten around Sep–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year in January or February and Golden Week in early October. Book one to two weeks earlier in those periods.
What documents does Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (Health registration for food and cosmetics; conformity for regulated goods). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Acajutla?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: 22–30 calendar days by sea versus 4–7 business days by air to the El Salvador gateway, before clearance and the same-day inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
Other delivery cities in El Salvador
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for El Salvador change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Dirección General de Aduanas de El Salvador or your broker before you ship.
- Dirección General de Aduanas
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
- ICC — Incoterms 2020 rules (DDP, DAP, FOB definitions)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
- WCO — Harmonized System nomenclature
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Acajutla
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.