🇸🇻 El Salvador vs 🇨🇱 Chile Tariffs — Import Duty Comparison (2026)

When choosing between El Salvador and Chile as import sources, US businesses must weigh tariff rates, trade agreements, product availability, and supply chain logistics.

El Salvador has a lower effective tariff rate (10%) compared to Chile (12.5%), a difference of 2.5%.

These countries have largely distinct export profiles to the United States, serving different market segments.

In terms of trade volume, El Salvador accounts for approximately $4B in bilateral trade with the US, compared to Chile's $30B.

Both countries are subject to the Section 301 forced-labor tariff that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026 — a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty on roughly 60 economies (about 99.4% of US imports by value), broader than the earlier 46-country proposal. Section 122 had itself replaced the IEEPA tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. In August 2026, 25 states sued to block the forced-labor tariff, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

El Salvador's advantages include: Lower overall tariff rate (10% vs 12.5%); Unique export categories: Textiles, Coffee, Sugar. Chile's advantages include: Higher US trade volume ($30B vs $4B); Unique export categories: Copper, Lithium, Salmon.

For most product categories, El Salvador currently offers lower import costs due to its tariff advantage. However, importers should consider factors beyond tariffs including shipping costs, lead times, quality standards, and supply chain reliability.