The Americas · Sourcing guide
Sourcing chairs from China to El Salvador
Shipping chairs from China to El Salvador is a 22–35 day ocean move into Acajutla or via Puerto Cortés (Honduras) — and the freight is usually the easy part. The numbers below cover the lane, the landed-cost math and what tends to surprise buyers.
El Salvador's dollar economy means payment and FX risk are essentially eliminated, which is a genuine advantage in a region where those factors consume attention. Cargo splits between Pacific-side Acajutla and the Honduran option at Puerto Cortés depending on carrier routing and inland cost. Volumes are modest and LCL consolidation is the norm for most buyers — factor consolidation fees into your pricing discussion. CACM tariffs of 10–15% plus 13% IVA apply; verify whether the recently-signed China FTA has brought furniture lines into force yet.
The market, briefly
El Salvador is a small dollarized market that imports through both its own Pacific port and Honduran Caribbean routing. Remittance-supported consumer spending keeps furniture demand steadier than GDP suggests. Volumes are modest, so LCL is common.
Landed cost: how to run the numbers
Landed cost for El Salvador = FOB price + ocean freight (plus surcharges) + duty + VAT/GST + port and clearance fees + the inland leg. The mistake we see most is budgeting the FOB and the headline freight and nothing else — on budget seating the "everything else" routinely adds 20–40% to the invoice price.
A worked example (estimate)
Take a concrete load: 300 knock-down task chairs at $30 FOB fill a 40HC and put $9,000 on the invoice. At the 2026-H1 band midpoint of $4,700, the ocean leg alone is roughly $16 a chair — and that is before anyone has charged you duty, local taxes, terminal fees or the truck. Re-run the figures at the top of the band too; swings of that size are routine on this lane. Treat all of it as illustration, not a quote.
Two guides cover the mechanics in depth: sea-freight budgeting and Incoterms for chair buyers. For load planning, see container math.
Frequently asked
How long does shipping take from China to El Salvador?
Typical liner schedules into Acajutla/via Puerto Cortés (Honduras) run 22–35 days port-to-port. Pacific feeders into Acajutla, or Caribbean routing through Puerto Cortés plus truck. Add booking lead time, origin handling and customs clearance on both ends.
What does a 40ft container of chairs cost to ship to El Salvador?
As of 2026-H1, published spot ranges for the lane sit roughly between $2,800 and $6,500 for a 40ft/40HC — an estimate from public rate indices, not a quote. Surcharges, peak-season fees and inland legs come on top.
What import duty applies to chairs in El Salvador?
CACM tariff puts most finished furniture around 10–15% plus 13% IVA at import. A China FTA was signed in recent years — verify whether furniture lines have preferential rates in force. 13% IVA.
Which port should I route chairs through for El Salvador?
Acajutla, via Puerto Cortés (Honduras) are the usual gateways. Your forwarder's local coverage matters more than the port itself.
All freight, transit, duty and tax figures are generic planning estimates compiled by the editorial desk, marked as-of 2026-H1. Tariffs and VAT change frequently; always verify current rates with your freight forwarder and a licensed customs broker before quoting or committing. Rates as of 2026-H1.