Basic information
Outline of the system
As a general rule, the importation of products does not require import licences; however, there are some products that require permits, authorizations, certificates and/or approval for importation, for reasons of public safety, animal or plant health, or environmental protection.
El Salvador has the Import and Export Processing Centre (CIEX El Salvador) of the Central Reserve Bank, Import Section, which is the body responsible for centralizing, streamlining and simplifying import and export procedures.
Interested parties can contact the Centre by email: cieximportaciones@bcr.gob.sv; or telephone: (+503) 2281 8000. Some import procedures are available online at: https://www.ciexelsalvador.gob.sv/ciexelsalvador/.
A process to improve governance is under way to reduce response times for products requiring import authorization, provided the required documentation is complete and submitted in advance of importation.
The Ministry of Defence shall issue the special permit for the importation of explosives and pyrotechnic products. The importer must obtain this permit prior to the entry of such articles into the national territory.
Product coverage
Explosives and pyrotechnic products
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The purpose of these licences is to control and regulate the use, manufacture, import, export and marketing of explosives and pyrotechnic products, in order to protect the lives, personal integrity and property of citizens.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
It applies to all countries, irrespective of the origin of the products.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
This type of product is governed by the Law on the control and regulation of arms, ammunition, explosives and similar items. Annex III (a).
Anexo 3 (a) Ley de Control y Regulación de Armas, Municiones, Explosivos y Artículos Similares.pdfDoes the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All persons/importers have the right to apply for import authorizations, whether natural and legal persons, including foreign nationals with a residence permit.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Application with the applicant's details and area of activity according to the format given in Annex III (b).
For each section by product, the application form is attached.
(a) The application with the applicant's details and area of activity according to the natural or legal persons format, given in Annex III (c) and Annex III (d);
(b) Photocopy of the zoning ordinance issued by the respective town hall allowing the manufacture, storage or marketing of pyrotechnic products or pyrotechnic-related substances;
(c) Photocopy of the health certificate issued by MINSAL;
(d) Photocopy of the certificate of compliance with security measures, issued by the Fire Service of El Salvador;
(e) The applicant's DUI, NIT, passport or permanent residency permit, either the originals and photocopies, or photocopies certified by a notary public;
(f) The original clean criminal record certificate from the National Civilian Police;
(g) Photocopy, certified by a notary public, of the special power of attorney (in the event that it is not the applicant who collects the permit);
(h) The company's most recent financial statement filed and duly registered with the National Registry Centre (CNR) and social security contributions, in order to determine into which category the company falls (large, medium-sized or small);
(i) Documentation to be submitted as photocopies shall be notarized by a notary public;
(j) Simple photocopy of the receipt of payment issued by the Special Activities Fund of the Logistics Support Command of the Armed Forces (FAE-CALFA), Arms Register in the Ministry of Defence.
Anexo 3 (b) SOLICITUD PERMISO ESPECIAL DE IMPORTACIÓN ARMAS Y MUNICIONES.pdfAnexo 3 (c) SOLICITUD DE PERMISOS PARA PIROTECNIA (persona natural).pdfAnexo 3 (d) SOLICITUD DE PERMISOS PARA PIROTECNIA (persona jurídica).pdfWhat documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Legal persons should also submit:
(k) A notarized photocopy of the valid public deed of incorporation of the company or group and any modification of the articles of incorporation, duly registered with the Business Registry;
(l) Valid identity card of the legal representative of the company or its sole director, as the case may be, duly registered and up to date in the Business Registry;
(m) Photocopy of the company registration certificate;
(n) The original clean criminal record certificate of the legal representative issued by the National Civilian Police.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Prior to importation, so that when the product enters the country, it already has the import licence (permit).
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations on the date of submission of an application.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Generally speaking, import permits are granted promptly, provided all documentation is complete.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Import licences (permits) are generally issued in an expeditious and timely manner. Work is currently under way on a government improvement process to reduce response times, provided that the required documentation is completed prior to importation.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Submit to the Logistics Directorate of the Ministry of Defence the application for a pyrotechnic products permit for natural persons or, in the case of companies, the application for a pyrotechnic products permit for legal persons.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No, these products are not subject to quantitative restrictions.
There are no other conditions.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
The issuance of the special permit to import explosives and pyrotechnic products is subject to the payment of a fee, calculated according to which category the company belongs to and pursuant to Executive Decision No. 1119 of the Finance Branch, dated 9 August 2016, as follows:
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Micro-enterprise………. = USD 93.58
Small enterprise…… = USD 729.50
Medium-sized enterprise…… = USD 1,882.64
Large enterprise……… = USD 3,647.43
First pyrotechnics inspection = USD 50.00
Re-inspection for comments made during the first inspection = USD 25.00
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No, none.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
Authorization is refused only when the established legal requirements are not met.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Applicants are informed in writing.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Appeals for review may be filed before the same institution from which the import licence or permit was requested.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
In El Salvador, the Law on Administrative Procedures regulates the administrative review procedure for settling disputes when authorization is refused.
Once administrative remedies have been exhausted, there is also the option of filing a claim before the administrative tribunals, which have jurisdiction to verify the legality of and settle any administrative disputes that might arise between the public administration and individuals.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The import licence.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No, none.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
It is generally 30 days. The validity of licences cannot be extended, they must be requested again. Consideration will be given to special cases where the goods are in transit and there has been some delay.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No penalty is imposed for the non-utilization of import licences or permits.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Import licences or permits are non-transferable, as they specify the particulars of the importer and the specific product/quantities to be imported.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
No, none.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
No, none.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
No, none.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
No, none.