With all of the excitement that comes with an international move, there is also a lot of preparation that must be done. With a trusted and experienced international moving company such as Sea & Air International, you can get it done right the first time.
We will provide you with a fair and accurate estimate of services, help you pack everything up, and help you get everything unpacked as soon as it arrives at your new destination. From the very start of your new adventure to its final and happy conclusion, we will be there for you every step of the way.
Let Us Help You Get There
With our help getting you prepared and moved to your new home, your moving experience can be a lot less stressful. As professional and experienced international movers, our team will provide you with a customized moving plan that addresses your move’s specific needs. Services you can expect when you hire us for relocation include:
- Pre-move planning
- Moving supplies for your belongings
- Packing your household goods and personal belongings
- Fine arts packing and care
- Storage facilities at a secure storage area (30 days free for customers!)
- Customs documentation
- Customs clearance management
We will help to wrap and pack all of your belongings and will provide safe storage and transportation for them to your new home. Our team will work with you to ensure your move goes smoothly the entire way. From start to finish, we will help you navigate the steps required for an international move. International moving is not just what we do, with over 20,000 customers in more than 50 different countries, it is who we are.
Facts About El Salvador
El Salvador is a country that is rich in culture and beauty. Unlike other countries that experience four annual seasons, El Salvador has only two – wet and dry. The wet season begins in May and ends in October, while the dry season starts in November and extends through April. Hosting many surfing competitions every year, the country is a very popular surfing destination. Spanish is the official language in El Salvador, and the U.S. dollar is the official currency.
Customs Information And Documentation
Below we have listed some required documentation you will want to have in order and on hand when making your international move. These documents should be kept on the person or relatively close by for use and presentation when necessary.
Required Documentation For Household Goods
- Original cargo manifest, bill of lading, airway bill
- Original TIN (Tax Identification Number, to be obtained by the consignee in El Salvador)
- Original packing list
- The list of items with reasonable values in US dollars should be in Spanish
- Returning Salvadorian citizens need to provide certification of migratory movement
- Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)
Required Documentation For Automobiles
- Original cargo manifest, bill of lading, airway bill
- Original TIN of the importer (to be obtained by consignee)
- Original commercial invoice
- Original title of ownership, which shows the consignee as the legal owner
Restricted And Prohibited Goods
- Firearms
- Pornographic material of any kind
- More than 2 liters of liquor. An extra customs clearance will be necessary for any amount over the 2-liter limit.
Let Us Help You Get Moving Today
At Sea & Air International, we understand the importance of communication and how it can help make any transition go a lot smoother. This is why we are transparent and available throughout the entire process for any of your moving needs, questions, and concerns. If you are approaching an international move and would like the expertise and help of a trusted and professional team, contact us today.
More Customs Information
PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS
Firearms, pornography material of any kind, liquor (*certain restrictions apply, see below)
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Household Goods
- Original AWB, B/L, or Cargo Manifest
- Original TIN (Tax Identification Number, to be obtained by the consignee in El Salvador) Original Packing List
- List of items with reasonable values in US Dollars, following the correlative order “item by item” shown in the packing list. This has to be provided by the client (consignee) and should be in Spanish
- Certification of Migratory Movement (only for returning Salvadorian citizens). This document will be obtained by the consignee in El Salvador.
- Diplomatic Franchise (only for diplomats)
Household Goods
- Original AWB, B/L, or Cargo Manifest
- Original TIN of Importer (to be obtained by consignee)
- Original commercial invoice
- Original title of ownership, showing consignee as the legal owner
Upon arrival, the client (consignee) should provide the following documents for Customs clearance:
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
- Original passport
- Original TIN
- Sworn statement letter in Spanish
- A letter authorizing OUR AGENT Member to carry out Customs clearance
AUTOMOBILES
- Original passport
- Original TIN of Importer
- Sworn statement letter in Spanish. This letter must be authenticated by a Lawyer in El Salvador
- Diplomatic Franchise (Only for Diplomats)
** PLEASE LOAD THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF THE CONTAINER’S DOOR **
IMPORTANT – Please send original documentation to our agent by courier ASAP.
- If you declare Household Goods and an automobile in the same B.L. or Cargo Manifest, it’s very important that you provide 2 original B/L since Customs clearance for HHGDS and automobiles are made separately.
- We do not recommend that you send shipments LCL (consolidated) as Customs clearance is taking up to 1 month to be processed because Customs is demanding the documentation of all the shipments consolidated in the container in order to start Customs clearance.
- It is very important that you declare the Inland and sea shipments only as “Household Goods”, if you declare them as “Household Goods and Personal Effects,” Customs will apply a fine which will be billed to you.
- The air shipment must be declared only as “Personal Effects” (This applies only if there is no furniture in the shipment) If you declare it as “Household Goods and Personal Effects,” Customs will apply a fine which will be billed to you.
- B/L must show the value of ocean freight, exact net weight, volume (cm), and also the real number of pieces shown in the packing list.
- AWB must show the value of air freight, gross and chargeable weight, and also the exact number of lift vans showing the real number of pieces that each lift van contains, coinciding with the number of pieces shown in the packing list.
- If there are any additional items not shown on the AWB, B/L, Cargo Manifest, and packing list, Customs will confiscate such items, and the client/consignee will be subject to pay a fine of 300% over the duties value
- Please note that the original B/L (“Express Release” will NOT be accepted) and packing list are necessary in order to make Customs clearance.
- Note: If the steamship that you are using is Maersk Sealand, you will have to provide 4 (four) original B/L to make Customs clearance, otherwise it will be impossible to clear the shipment from Customs. If another steamship line is being used, 3 (three) original B/L will have to be provided.
- The cargo manifest must show the value of Inland freight and also information about the truck and driver, i.e. Number of plates, driving license number, and driver’s name, etc. For Inland shipments coming from Central America and Mexico, shipments must not be dispatched until Our agent has provided the Number of Merchandise Declaration assigned by Customs. This number will have to be shown at the border by the truck’s driver.
- The importation of automobiles will be subject to the payment of duties (approx. 25-30% over CIF Value)
- Foreign citizens (non-Diplomatic) will have to pay Customs duties on their Household Goods and personal effects, new or used. Customs duties rates vary with the type of item imported, and it is figured on the CIF Value.
- A returning Salvadorian citizen, after being more than three years out of El Salvador, and if they didn’t stay during this period of time in visits to El Salvador for more than 30 days (calendar year), can import duty-free new or used HHGDS and personal effects coming from the country where the client has been living, up to a maximum of US$15,000.00 of the CIF Value. Customs will evaluate and tax any excess over this value.
- If the client complies with the above-mentioned requirement, they will have to provide a Certification of Migratory Movement obtained at the Salvadorian Migration Direction in El Salvador before the shipment arrives in El Salvador. Consignee is the only one who can obtain this document, and its obtention takes between 1 – 2 weeks.
WARNING:
Making a false or misleading statement to the Authorities is an offense and may involve heavy penalties. Drug trafficking is against the law, and severe penalties apply.
Important: This information is intended for general guidance. Sea & Air International cannot, however, take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such, it is advisable to contact the nearest Australian customs office for full and current information prior to importation.