El Salvador Tariff Rates 2026: 10% on US Imports
As of 2026-07-24, US imports from El Salvador carry an effective tariff of about 10%. This combines the 10% Section 122 baseline applied to all countries, with Section 232 metals tariffs of 50% on steel and 50% on aluminum charged separately. Goods qualifying under the CAFTA-DR may enter with reduced or zero base duty, though the Section 122 tariff still applies. The 10% Section 122 tariff (effective Feb 24, 2026) expired at its 150-day limit on July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (10%, or 12.5% for higher-tier economies).
Last verified July 24, 2026 · Source: USITC HTS · Section 122 / 301 / 232 · run your exact numbers
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Estimate My Refund →Section 232 rates shown apply to articles wholly of steel, aluminum, or copper. Since the April 6, 2026 restructuring, qualifying derivative products are dutied at 25% on their full customs value rather than 50%. Verify your product’s classification — the exact 232 treatment depends on HTS code and metal content.
El Salvador Import Tariff Overview
El Salvador is a CAFTA-DR partner, so qualifying exports enter the US duty-free; the 10% base tariff — the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (standard tier) that replaced the expired Section 122 reciprocal tariff on July 24, 2026 — applies only to goods that fall outside CAFTA-DR coverage.
El Salvador was the first country to implement CAFTA-DR (March 1, 2006), and the agreement grants duty-free treatment to originating goods that meet its rules of origin. El Salvador's economy has used the US dollar as legal tender since 2001, which removes exchange-rate friction from US trade, and its export base is anchored by apparel produced in maquila free zones. The US is by far its largest export market, and the relationship runs on that reciprocal agreement rather than unilateral preferences.
Key Products Imported from El Salvador
Leading US imports from El Salvador include knit and woven apparel (its dominant export), coffee, sugar, ethanol, electrical capacitors and other electrical components, plastics, and textiles. It is one of Central America's core garment suppliers to the US market.
Recent Changes
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs were struck down by SCOTUS on Feb 20, 2026 (a $166B refund pool is now paying out), and the 10% Section 122 replacement expired at its 150-day limit on July 24, 2026, superseded the same day by the 10% Section 301 forced-labor tariff. CAFTA-DR duty-free access is unchanged, the $800 de minimis exemption has ended for all origins, and Section 232 metals remain at 50% (25% on derivatives) regardless of origin.
Tips for Importers
Use CAFTA-DR's yarn-forward apparel rules and a valid certification of origin to keep Salvadoran garments duty-free — regional yarn-and-fabric sourcing is the key qualification hurdle. Coffee enters at 0% MFN regardless, so concentrate documentation on textiles and processed foods; drawback and FTZ programs help offset duty on non-qualifying inputs. If you paid IEEPA reciprocal duties in 2025 before the SCOTUS ruling, review CAPE refund eligibility.
How Are US Tariffs on El Salvador Imports Calculated?
US import duties on goods from El Salvador are determined by multiple overlapping tariff authorities. The base layer is the 10% Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which replaced the expired 10% Section 122 tariff on July 24, 2026 and applies to most countries without a separate trade deal. Section 232 tariffs of 50% on steel and 50% on aluminum apply to metals imports, regardless of the Section 122 rate. El Salvador benefits from the CAFTA-DR, which can eliminate MFN base duties on qualifying goods — though the Section 122 tariff still applies on top of FTA preferences.
To calculate the total duty on a specific import from El Salvador, use our US import duty calculator or landed cost calculator for a complete estimate including Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF). You can also compare El Salvador rates with other countries to evaluate sourcing alternatives.
Already importing from El Salvador? If you paid the higher pre-SCOTUS IEEPA rate in 2025, you may be able to claim an IEEPA tariff refund. And if you re-export or manufacture with imported goods, duty drawback can recover up to 99% of the duties you paid — both are separate from the rates above.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Note: Rates shown do not include potential anti-dumping or countervailing duties (AD/CVD), which may apply to specific products and can significantly increase total duty. Consult a customs broker for product-specific rates.