Friday, 19 November 2021 01:47

Non-commercial online purchases not exceeding US$300 will be exempt from tariff payments

Written by Evelyn Alas

The Legislative Assembly approved yesterday in plenary session the elimination of customs duties for salvadorans who make non-commercial online purchases that do not exceed US$300 in imports.

The objective of the reform to the Ley de Facilitación de Compras en Línea sin Fines Comerciales is to promote and facilitate the importation of goods or merchandise of a commercial nature by individuals.

 

Individuals who make purchases through electronic platforms from abroad, under the modalities of postal shipments, fast delivery, small family shipments or parcel managers will be able to receive this benefit.

According to minister María Luisa Hayem, this proposal originated last year as a transitory regulation, which was in force for 24 months and which was aimed at facilitating online purchases for a maximum value of US$200, of products from the United States.

She added that now they are expanding the amount of the benefit from US$200 to US$300 in order to facilitate online purchases for salvadorans.

She also noted that products may be imported from any country in the world. She also said that these are two new elements in addition to the transitory law that was approved last year by the Legislative Assembly.

Once this reform is approved, it will be in force from the moment it is published in the Official Gazette.