A. M. 
El Salvador has updated the Tariff Reduction Programs applicable to its main Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) for 2026, precisely defining which goods originating from partner countries will enter the country with reduced or zero tariffs and which will continue to be subject to the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff. These programs, issued through executive agreements of the Ministry of Economy, will be in effect from january 1 to december 31, 2026, and replace the schemes applied in 2025, providing certainty to importers and exporters regarding the tariff treatment of their transactions.
Tariff reduction programs under the main ftas
Specific tariff reduction programs were approved for 2026 under several bilateral and regional free trade agreements. These programs organize the reduction of tariffs by fraction of the Central American Tariff System and identify the goods that are already in free trade, those that continue in the process of tariff reduction, and those that remain excluded from preferential treatment.
In the Free Trade Agreement between Central America and the Dominican Republic, the current program for 2026 establishes the goods subject to free trade and those excluded from the agreement that continue to pay the most-favored-nation tariff. The scheme maintains the temporary 0% import duty for products included in the Special Law of the Expanded Basic Food Basket.
The Free Trade Agreement between Central America and Chile also has an updated program that covers all goods in the regional tariff system, detailing which tariff lines have already reached zero tariffs and which continue to have their tariffs gradually reduced.
In the case of the agreement with Panama, the tariff reduction program defines the goods subject to free trade, those excluded, and those subject to the general tariff, in accordance with the Protocol of Panama’s Incorporation into the Central American Economic Integration Subsystem.
The CAFTA-DR, which links Central America, the Dominican Republic, and the United States, has a 2026 tariff reduction schedule that specifies the tariff lines still in the process of elimination, those already enjoying free trade, and those maintaining the most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff.
Likewise, the free trade agreements with Colombia and South Korea have updated schedules that detail, for each tariff line, the applicable tariff level in 2026, including goods that are already exempt and those that continue to pay the general tariff.
Other trade schemes and tariff preferences
In addition to the FTAs, El Salvador updated its tariff treatment or elimination programs with strategic partners such as Mexico, the European Union, and the United Kingdom for 2026. Although these schemes have different legal names, they all aim to reduce the cost of importing goods originating from these markets and operate through lists of products under free trade, tariff reduction, or exclusion.
In addition to the free trade agreements, El Salvador updated its tariff treatment or elimination programs with strategic partners such as Mexico, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, with a target date of 2026. Although these schemes have different legal names, they all aim to reduce the cost of importing goods originating from these markets and operate through lists of products subject to free trade, tariff reductions, or exclusions.
The agreement with Mexico defines the tariff treatment applicable to each item in the Central American Tariff System, while the Association Agreement with the European Union and the agreement with the United Kingdom establish tariff elimination programs based on detailed lists of goods and tariff reduction schedules.
These are in addition to the partial scope agreements with Cuba and Ecuador, which include tariff preference programs limited to specific product lists. Goods not included on these lists continue to be subject to the most-favored-nation tariff in bilateral trade.
Incorporation of the special law on the basic food basket
All tariff reduction and preference programs in effect for 2026 expressly incorporate the temporary reductions provided for in the Special Law to Promote Competitiveness and Facilitate Access to Products in the Expanded Basic Food Basket. In cases where a product is covered by this law and has a 0% import duty, the provisions of the law apply, even when the goods are regulated by a trade agreement.
Impact on foreign trade
The tariff reduction programs for 2026 aim to ensure transparency and predictability for foreign trade operators by clearly publishing preferential tariffs, excluded goods, and those that remain subject to the general tariff. For importers and exporters, these instruments allow for cost planning, identification of sourcing opportunities in partner markets, and leveraging the benefits derived from free trade agreements and existing special legislation.
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