El Salvador - Distribution and Sales ChannelsEl Salvador-Distribution and Sales
Well-known U.S. products are often imported via distributors and not directly from the manufacturer. However, a product may gain brand recognition before a formal supplier/distributor relationship is established. Owners of small stores often travel to the United States to purchase small quantities of products for resale, especially for used vehicles, auto parts, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, and certain household goods.
Most containerized imports enter via Guatemala and Honduras and are then trucked to El Salvador. Little cargo enters through El Salvador’s Pacific maritime Acajutla Port, which was built to manage bulk exports and imports. Air cargo enters via the international airport. Major distribution centers are located in free trade zones. Large distributors usually import consumer and non-consumer products and sell to wholesale distributors or directly to the retail stores. Large department stores and importers of machinery and raw materials buy directly from U.S manufacturers, consolidate shipments and then export to El Salvador.
El Salvador follows the international commercial terms (INCOTERMS) for drafting contracts to stipulate the obligations of buyer and seller. All the INCOTERMS that apply to sea and inland waterway transport are implemented and accepted, among them: Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Free on Board (FOB), Cost and Freight (CFR), Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF), as well as those that apply to any mode of transport, Ex Works, Free Carriers, Carriage Paid to, Carriage and Insurance Paid to, Delivered at Terminal, Deliver at Place and Delivered Duty Paid.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Most containerized imports enter via Guatemala and Honduras and are then trucked to El Salvador. Little cargo enters through El Salvador’s Pacific maritime Acajutla Port, which was built to manage bulk exports and imports. Air cargo enters via the international airport. Major distribution centers are located in free trade zones. Large distributors usually import consumer and non-consumer products and sell to wholesale distributors or directly to the retail stores. Large department stores and importers of machinery and raw materials buy directly from U.S manufacturers, consolidate shipments and then export to El Salvador.
El Salvador follows the international commercial terms (INCOTERMS) for drafting contracts to stipulate the obligations of buyer and seller. All the INCOTERMS that apply to sea and inland waterway transport are implemented and accepted, among them: Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Free on Board (FOB), Cost and Freight (CFR), Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF), as well as those that apply to any mode of transport, Ex Works, Free Carriers, Carriage Paid to, Carriage and Insurance Paid to, Delivered at Terminal, Deliver at Place and Delivered Duty Paid.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.