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 importation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, aggregated products, precursors, chemicals, and veterinary and anaesthetic products is regulated, controlled and subject to authorization by the National Directorate of Medicines and the Anti-Drug Trafficking Division of the National Civilian Police, in accordance with the provisions of international treaties and agreements, in particular the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the 1961 Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.
Product coverage
Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, aggregated products, precursors, chemicals, and veterinary and anesthetic 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 regulate and control the use, manufacture, importation, exportation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, aggregated products, precursors, chemicals, and veterinary and anaesthetic products, with a view to preventing any activity relating to the diversion and illegal use of controlled substances. The importation of these products is subject to an annual licence or permit, depending on the quantity that is expected to be needed in that year.
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 Regulations on Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances, Precursors, Chemical Substances and Products, and Aggregates. Annex IV (a).
Anexo IV (a) - Reglamento de Estupefacientes, Psicotrópicos, Precursores, Sustancias Y Productos Químicos y Agregados.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?
Import permits for this type of product are issued by the National Directorate of Medicines, they are granted to pharmaceutical laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals, first aid stations, suppliers of dental materials, clinical laboratories and pharmaceutical quality control laboratories. Permits are also granted to veterinary suppliers, pharmacies and hospitals, agri-services, universities, autonomous institutions, and other business or bodies that require these substances or products. Similarly, permits are issued to industries that use these substances in their production processes and in other special cases.
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?
Importers of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, aggregated products, precursors, chemicals, and veterinary and anaesthetic products must submit, in writing, no later than the month of May of each year, their import forecasts for controlled substances and products, estimated for the next calendar year, except for those who import these substances and products only occasionally.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
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.
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.
Complete the application form to import narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, aggregated products, precursors, chemicals, and veterinary and anaesthetic products, and submit it to the National Directorate of Medicines. Annexes IV (b), (c) and (d).
More details about the procedure for requesting authorization to import this type of product can be found at: https://www.medicamentos.gob.sv/index.php/es/servicios-m/descargables/ue-m.
Anexo IV (b) SOLICITUD PERMISO DE IMPORTACIÓN PRECURSORES O PRODUCTOS QUÍMICOS.pdfAnexo IV (c) FORMULARIO DE IMPORTACIÓN DE PRECURSORES QUIMICOS (1a. parte).pdfAnexo IV (d) FORMULARIO DE IMPORTACIÓN DE PRECURSORES QUIMICOS (2a. parte).pdfMust 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?
Yes.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The cost of import permits for narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, aggregated products, precursors, chemicals, and veterinary and anaesthetic products is set out in Legislative Decree No. 417, entitled "Fees Applicable in the National Directorate of Medicines for Services and Licences for Health Establishments", Annex II (c).
Anexo 2 (c) DECRETO-LEGISLATIVO-417-DERECHOS-POR-SERVICIOS-Y-LICENCIAS-PARA-LOS-ESTABLECIMIENTOS-DE-SALUD.pdfIs 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?
This type of product may only be imported subject to authorization and the issuance of a licence or a permit from the Narcotics Unit of the National Directorate of Medicines.
Import quantities greater than the quotas assigned to each establishment may not be authorized.
The import application form shall include:
• The name and address of the importing establishment and its registration number with the Directorate;
• The name of the official in charge and their registration number with the relevant professional body, or the person responsible for the establishment;
• The name and address of the exporter and the country of origin of the controlled substance or product;
• The quantity of the substance or product to be imported, given in numbers and words, the pharmaceutical form and dosage form;
• The name of the substance and its use;
• The product's brand name, the substance it contains, the concentration and registration number with the Directorate;
• The means of entry and point of entry;
• The signature and seal of the official in charge or the person responsible;
• The seal of the establishment licensed by and registered with the Directorate.
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. (Phytosanitary, animal health and food certificates) It varies depending on the type of product. 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.