Distillers Alcohol regulations in El Salvador
How to import or export liquor and spirits to El Salvador, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched May 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in May 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Legal
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Permiso Sanitario de Instalación y Funcionamiento de Fábrica de Alcohol y Bebidas Alcohólicas; Registro Sanitario de Establecimiento; Registro Fiscal de Fabricante de Alcohol
- Authority
- Superintendencia de Regulación Sanitaria (SRS) and Ministerio de Hacienda
- Documents
- Articles of incorporation or identification documents, proof of site ownership or lease, facility blueprints and process flows, list of raw materials, environmental impact assessment approval, and technical specifications
- Fees
- Establishment authorization fees vary from $50 to $300 under the SRS fee schedule depending on facility scale and category
- Time to obtain
- Approximately 1 to 3 months
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Legally incorporated commercial entities and registered sole traders with active tax identification (NIT/NRC) and SRS establishment authorization
- Licences or registrations
- Registro de Importador de Bebidas Alcohólicas, sanitary authorization of importer establishment/warehouse, and registration as an importer with Customs (DGA)
- Authority
- Superintendencia de Regulación Sanitaria (SRS) and Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA)
- Documents
- Tax registration (NIT/NRC), commercial registration (Matrícula de Comercio), SRS establishment permit, customs declaration user registration
- Fees
- Customs registration and SRS importer establishment authorizations range between $28 and $100
- Time to obtain
- 15 to 30 business days
Product and label registration
Required: yes Process: Mandatory Sanitary Registration (Registro Sanitario) of each product and brand before commercialization; includes technical dossier evaluation and label clearance in compliance with RTCA standards…
Import rules
Import Declaration (DUCA) submitted through DGA; sanitary clearance via SRS single window (CIEX El Salvador); Certificate of Origin required for preferential tariff treatment (e.g., CAFTA-DR); Certificate of Analysis and…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
Standard external tariff (MFN) is 20% to 30% ad valorem on CIF value for spirits under HS 2208 (0% duty for qualifying origin goods under CAFTA-DR and applicable FTAs).
Excise and taxes
Distilled spirits are subject to: (1) a specific excise tax calculated per 1% ABV per liter (ranges between $0.0325 and $0.09 per 1% ABV/L under 2026 reform); (2) an ad valorem excise tax of 8% on the suggested retail price…
Retail and distribution
Private sector retailers (supermarkets, specialized liquor stores, convenience stores, licensed bars, and restaurants); each establishment must hold an annual municipal liquor license (Licencia Municipal) issued by the local…
Online sale and delivery
allowed
Labelling
Regulated by RTCA 67.01.06:11 (Bebidas Alcohólicas Destiladas - Requisitos de Etiquetado); requires: commercial product name, alcohol content (% ABV), net volume (metric units), ingredients list, country of origin,…
Advertising
Advertising must not target minors or feature persons under 18; cannot associate consumption with driving, physical prowess, sexual attractiveness, or social success; commercial advertising campaigns require prior authorization…
Legal definitions of spirits
Defined under Central American Technical Regulations (RTCA 67.01.06:11 and regional standards); distilled spirits must be obtained from alcoholic fermentation of agricultural raw materials followed by distillation; rum must be…
Dry or restricted areas
National dry law ('Ley Seca') is strictly imposed across the country during election periods (typically from midnight before election day until midday after); sales are restricted within specified distances of schools, healthcare…
Recent changes
Under Legislative Decree No. 519, published in the Diario Oficial on February 27, 2026, the specific excise tax on imported whisky and gin was reduced from $0.16 per 1% ABV per liter down to $0.09 (and $0.05 for certain…
Opportunities for exporters
The 2026 excise tax reductions on premium imported spirits such as whisky and gin significantly lower consumer pricing and close the historical tax gap with local cane spirits. Duty-free access under CAFTA-DR further expands…
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Sign in to read the full guideSources
- El Salvador - Import Tariffs - International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - El Salvador Corporate - Other Taxes
- El Diario de Hoy / elsalvador.com - Reforma reduce impuesto a bebidas destiladas como whisky y gin (Feb/Mar 2026)
- Superintendencia de Regulación Sanitaria (SRS) El Salvador
- Ley Reguladora de la Producción y Comercialización del Alcohol y de las Bebidas Alcohólicas - DGA / Portal de Transparencia
- FAOLEX / COMIECO - RTCA 67.01.06:11 Bebidas Alcohólicas Destiladas Requisitos de Etiquetado
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