Trade lane

What El Salvador buys from China.

El Salvador imported USD 2.7bn of manufactured and processed goods from China in 2024, down 5 per cent on 2022. That is 23 per cent of everything El Salvador imported in these lines, and China is its largest source. Below: the 50 largest lines, the fastest growing, where China dominates, and where another country ships the same line for less a tonne.

Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices.

USD 2.7bnfrom China in 2024 (USD 2.8bn in 2022)
23 per centof El Salvador's imports in these lines, USD 11bn from every source
465product lines worth USD 1m or more on this lane
#1China's rank among El Salvador's sources
The top 50

The largest lines on the lane, by 2024 value.

Each line shows what El Salvador paid China for it at the border, China's share of everything El Salvador imported in that line, how it changed since 2022, and the customs unit value per tonne where the weight is recorded. Together they are 44 per cent of the lane.

  1. 1

    Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713

    Share of El Salvador's imports61 per cent, 39 source countries
    Changeup 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 128m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 293,606 a tonne, 544 tonnes
    USD 160min 2024
  2. 2

    Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 847130

    Share of El Salvador's imports87 per cent, 56 source countries
    Changedown 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 202m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 155,618 a tonne, 704 tonnes
    USD 110min 2024
  3. 3

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Share of El Salvador's imports69 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 125m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,200 a tonne, 88,744 tonnes
    USD 106min 2024
  4. 4

    Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 851762

    Share of El Salvador's imports64 per cent, 64 source countries
    Changeup 21 per cent on 2022 (USD 48m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 77,542 a tonne, 751 tonnes
    USD 58min 2024
  5. 5

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)HS 721049

    Share of El Salvador's imports68 per cent, 9 source countries
    Changeup 61 per cent on 2022 (USD 27m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 746 a tonne, 58,645 tonnes
    USD 44min 2024
  6. 6

    Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor, internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding...HS 871120

    Share of El Salvador's imports56 per cent, 17 source countries
    Changedown 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 43m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,169 a tonne, 8,032 tonnes
    USD 42min 2024
  7. 7

    Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299

    Share of El Salvador's imports78 per cent, 42 source countries
    Changeup 76 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,168 a tonne, 3,936 tonnes
    USD 32min 2024
  8. 8

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14mm in diameterHS 721391

    Share of El Salvador's imports87 per cent, 4 source countries
    Changeup 117 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 622 a tonne, 50,527 tonnes
    USD 31min 2024
  9. 9

    Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour...HS 852872

    Share of El Salvador's imports36 per cent, 26 source countries
    Changeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 29m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 21,138 a tonne, 1,405 tonnes
    USD 30min 2024
  10. 10

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with aluminium zinc-alloysHS 721061

    Share of El Salvador's imports58 per cent, 9 source countries
    Changedown 15 per cent on 2022 (USD 31m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 749 a tonne, 35,635 tonnes
    USD 27min 2024
  11. 11

    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or...HS 950300

    Share of El Salvador's imports67 per cent, 62 source countries
    Changedown 61 per cent on 2022 (USD 68m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,257 a tonne, 5,008 tonnes
    USD 26min 2024
  12. 12

    Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall...HS 841510

    Share of El Salvador's imports91 per cent, 19 source countries
    Changeup 111 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,621 a tonne, 3,966 tonnes
    USD 26min 2024
  13. 13

    Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421

    Share of El Salvador's imports8 per cent, 25 source countries
    Changeup 226 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,754 a tonne, 4,247 tonnes
    USD 24min 2024
  14. 14

    Electric generators: AC generators, (alternators), other than photovoltaic generators, of an output exceeding 750kVAHS 850164

    Share of El Salvador's imports98 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changefrom USD 3m in 2022
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 23min 2024
  15. 15

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 401120

    Share of El Salvador's imports78 per cent, 30 source countries
    Changeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 21m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,613 a tonne, 8,423 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  16. 16

    Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary formsHS 390210

    Share of El Salvador's imports35 per cent, 25 source countries
    Changedown 63 per cent on 2022 (USD 58m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,119 a tonne, 19,319 tonnes
    USD 22min 2024
  17. 17

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium sulphateHS 310221

    Share of El Salvador's imports89 per cent, 5 source countries
    Changedown 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 55m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 198 a tonne, 100,189 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  18. 18

    Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39HS 392690

    Share of El Salvador's imports40 per cent, 86 source countries
    Changeup 19 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,415 a tonne, 4,489 tonnes
    USD 20min 2024
  19. 19

    Electrical static convertersHS 850440

    Share of El Salvador's imports47 per cent, 73 source countries
    Changeup 12 per cent on 2022 (USD 17m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 18,215 a tonne, 1,049 tonnes
    USD 19min 2024
  20. 20

    Insulated electric conductors: optical fibre cablesHS 854470

    Share of El Salvador's imports56 per cent, 37 source countries
    Changeup 18 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,472 a tonne, 2,157 tonnes
    USD 16min 2024
  21. 21

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Share of El Salvador's imports53 per cent, 34 source countries
    Changeup 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,488 a tonne, 5,867 tonnes
    USD 15min 2024
  22. 22

    Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of cotton, dyedHS 600622

    Share of El Salvador's imports26 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changedown 34 per cent on 2022 (USD 22m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,387 a tonne, 2,708 tonnes
    USD 15min 2024
  23. 23

    Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel, containing by weight 0.25% or more of carbonHS 720720

    Share of El Salvador's imports40 per cent, 8 source countries
    Changeup 471 per cent on 2022 (USD 3m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 479 a tonne, 30,007 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  24. 24

    Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73HS 730661

    Share of El Salvador's imports21 per cent, 18 source countries
    Changeup 164 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 778 a tonne, 18,247 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  25. 25

    Furniture: metal, other than for office useHS 940320

    Share of El Salvador's imports55 per cent, 52 source countries
    Changeup 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 2,631 a tonne, 5,190 tonnes
    USD 14min 2024
  26. 26

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less than 78ml/gHS 390769

    Share of El Salvador's imports83 per cent, 8 source countries
    Changeup 111 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 1,302 a tonne, 10,358 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  27. 27

    Fans: table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125WHS 841451

    Share of El Salvador's imports73 per cent, 27 source countries
    Changeup 78 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,146 a tonne, 3,213 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  28. 28

    Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779

    Share of El Salvador's imports79 per cent, 46 source countries
    Changeup 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valuenot shown: weight missing or out of range
    USD 13min 2024
  29. 29

    Printing machinery: parts and accessories, n.e.c. in item no. 8443.91HS 844399

    Share of El Salvador's imports54 per cent, 55 source countries
    Changeup 4 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 61,274 a tonne, 204 tonnes
    USD 13min 2024
  30. 30

    Refrigerators and freezers: combined refrigerator-freezers, fitted with separate external doors, electric or otherHS 841810

    Share of El Salvador's imports23 per cent, 14 source countries
    Changeup 115 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,340 a tonne, 2,869 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  31. 31

    Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for...HS 380893

    Share of El Salvador's imports36 per cent, 18 source countries
    Changedown 81 per cent on 2022 (USD 65m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,643 a tonne, 2,150 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  32. 32

    Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panelsHS 854143

    Share of El Salvador's imports94 per cent, 19 source countries
    Changedown 72 per cent on 2022 (USD 43m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,161 a tonne, 3,762 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  33. 33

    Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances: for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including thermostatically controlled valvesHS 848180

    Share of El Salvador's imports49 per cent, 62 source countries
    Changeup 24 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,741 a tonne, 1,324 tonnes
    USD 12min 2024
  34. 34

    Units of automatic data processing machines: processing units other than those of item no. 8471.41 or 8471.49, whether or not containing in the same housing one or two...HS 847150

    Share of El Salvador's imports45 per cent, 37 source countries
    Changedown 26 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 86,031 a tonne, 124 tonnes
    USD 11min 2024
  35. 35

    Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419

    Share of El Salvador's imports68 per cent, 38 source countries
    Changeup 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 7,619 a tonne, 1,315 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  36. 36

    Aluminium: alloys, bars, rods and profiles, other than hollowHS 760429

    Share of El Salvador's imports70 per cent, 28 source countries
    Changeup 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,536 a tonne, 2,723 tonnes
    USD 10min 2024
  37. 37

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Share of El Salvador's imports28 per cent, 76 source countries
    Changedown 5 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,266 a tonne, 1,511 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  38. 38

    Ceramic sinks, wash basins, wash basin pedestals, baths, bidets, water closet pans, flushing cisterns, urinals and similar sanitary fixtures: of porcelain or chinaHS 691010

    Share of El Salvador's imports74 per cent, 15 source countries
    Changeup 266 per cent on 2022 (USD 2m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 4,485 a tonne, 2,024 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  39. 39

    Refrigerating or freezing equipment: n.e.c. in heading no. 8418HS 841869

    Share of El Salvador's imports41 per cent, 31 source countries
    Changedown 16 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 6,563 a tonne, 1,368 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  40. 40

    Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322

    Share of El Salvador's imports14 per cent, 32 source countries
    Changeup 73 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 8,850 a tonne, 1,009 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  41. 41

    Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890

    Share of El Salvador's imports27 per cent, 62 source countries
    Changeup 58 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 35,381 a tonne, 250 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  42. 42

    Cooking appliances and plate warmers: for gas fuel or for both gas and other fuels, of iron or steelHS 732111

    Share of El Salvador's imports37 per cent, 23 source countries
    Changeup 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,300 a tonne, 2,625 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  43. 43

    Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of textile materials (other than wool, fine animal hair, cotton or synthetic fibres), (not...HS 620469

    Share of El Salvador's imports86 per cent, 57 source countries
    Changefrom USD 652k in 2022
    Unit valueUSD 37,468 a tonne, 231 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  44. 44

    Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structureHS 842952

    Share of El Salvador's imports58 per cent, 13 source countries
    Changeup 14 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,590 a tonne, 1,542 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  45. 45

    Air conditioning machines: with motor driven fan and elements for temperature control, parts thereofHS 841590

    Share of El Salvador's imports66 per cent, 39 source countries
    Changeup 471 per cent on 2022 (USD 1m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 5,958 a tonne, 1,428 tonnes
    USD 9min 2024
  46. 46

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectorsHS 854442

    Share of El Salvador's imports40 per cent, 68 source countries
    Changeup 23 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 11,413 a tonne, 739 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  47. 47

    Plastics: tableware and kitchenwareHS 392410

    Share of El Salvador's imports28 per cent, 53 source countries
    Changeup 72 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 3,217 a tonne, 2,621 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  48. 48

    Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakersHS 851830

    Share of El Salvador's imports57 per cent, 42 source countries
    Changeup 2 per cent on 2022 (USD 8m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 16,731 a tonne, 498 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  49. 49

    Paper and paperboard: multi-ply, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, for non-graphic purposes, n.e.c. in heading no. 4810, in rolls or sheetsHS 481092

    Share of El Salvador's imports46 per cent, 24 source countries
    Changedown 55 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 953 a tonne, 8,715 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
  50. 50

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)HS 310530

    Share of El Salvador's imports50 per cent, 7 source countries
    Changedown 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 14m in 2022)
    Unit valueUSD 629 a tonne, 13,100 tonnes
    USD 8min 2024
Fastest growing

The lines that grew most since 2022.

Lines worth at least USD 5m in 2022, ranked by growth to 2024 in current dollars. A fast rise can be a new product, a shift away from another source, or a price change; the record does not say which.

  1. Vehicles: with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in...HS 870421USD 24m in 2024, up 226 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 8 per cent of the line.
  2. Iron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow profiles (not seamless), welded, of square or rectangular cross-section, n.e.c. in chapter 73HS 730661USD 14m in 2024, up 164 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). China supplies 21 per cent of the line.
  3. Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14mm in diameterHS 721391USD 31m in 2024, up 117 per cent on 2022 (USD 15m in 2022). China supplies 87 per cent of the line.
  4. Refrigerators and freezers: combined refrigerator-freezers, fitted with separate external doors, electric or otherHS 841810USD 12m in 2024, up 115 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 23 per cent of the line.
  5. Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall...HS 841510USD 26m in 2024, up 111 per cent on 2022 (USD 12m in 2022). China supplies 91 per cent of the line.
  6. Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less than 78ml/gHS 390769USD 13m in 2024, up 111 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 83 per cent of the line.
  7. Fans: table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125WHS 841451USD 13m in 2024, up 78 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 73 per cent of the line.
  8. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 640299USD 32m in 2024, up 76 per cent on 2022 (USD 18m in 2022). China supplies 78 per cent of the line.
  9. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322USD 9m in 2024, up 73 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). China supplies 14 per cent of the line.
  10. Cooking appliances and plate warmers: for gas fuel or for both gas and other fuels, of iron or steelHS 732111USD 9m in 2024, up 64 per cent on 2022 (USD 5m in 2022). China supplies 37 per cent of the line.
  11. Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)HS 721049USD 44m in 2024, up 61 per cent on 2022 (USD 27m in 2022). China supplies 68 per cent of the line.
  12. Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018HS 901890USD 9m in 2024, up 58 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 27 per cent of the line.
  13. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110USD 15m in 2024, up 46 per cent on 2022 (USD 10m in 2022). China supplies 53 per cent of the line.
  14. Iron or non-alloy steel: I sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or moreHS 721632USD 8m in 2024, up 44 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 65 per cent of the line.
  15. Luminaires and light fittings: chandeliers and electric ceiling or wall light fittings: (excluding those used for lighting public open spaces or thoroughfares), for use...HS 940511USD 8m in 2024, up 40 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 81 per cent of the line.
  16. Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 640419USD 10m in 2024, up 39 per cent on 2022 (USD 7m in 2022). China supplies 68 per cent of the line.
  17. Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779USD 13m in 2024, up 36 per cent on 2022 (USD 9m in 2022). China supplies 79 per cent of the line.
  18. Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip, other flat shapes thereof, self-adhesive, other than in rolls of a width not exceeding 20cmHS 391990USD 8m in 2024, up 28 per cent on 2022 (USD 6m in 2022). China supplies 46 per cent of the line.
  19. Furniture: metal, other than for office useHS 940320USD 14m in 2024, up 27 per cent on 2022 (USD 11m in 2022). China supplies 55 per cent of the line.
  20. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 851713USD 160m in 2024, up 25 per cent on 2022 (USD 128m in 2022). China supplies 61 per cent of the line.
Where China dominates

Lines where China supplies 60 per cent or more.

The largest lines worth USD 1m or more where China ships at least 60 per cent of what El Salvador imports. This is supply concentration: how much of the line depends on one source country.

  1. Telephone sets: smartphones for cellular or other wireless networksHS 85171361 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 160m; 39 source countries in all.
  2. Automatic data processing machines: portable, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a displayHS 84713087 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 110m; 56 source countries in all.
  3. Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 39076169 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 106m; 17 source countries in all.
  4. Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other...HS 85176264 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 58m; 64 source countries in all.
  5. Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically)HS 72104968 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 44m; 9 source countries in all.
  6. Footwear: n.e.c. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plasticsHS 64029978 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 32m; 42 source countries in all.
  7. Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils, n.e.c. in heading no. 7213, of circular cross-section measuring less than 14mm in diameterHS 72139187 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 31m; 4 source countries in all.
  8. Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or...HS 95030067 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 26m; 62 source countries in all.
  9. Air conditioning machines: comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, of a kind designed to be fixed to a window, wall...HS 84151091 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 26m; 19 source countries in all.
  10. Electric generators: AC generators, (alternators), other than photovoltaic generators, of an output exceeding 750kVAHS 85016498 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 23m; 5 source countries in all.
  11. Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorriesHS 40112078 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 22m; 30 source countries in all.
  12. Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, ammonium sulphateHS 31022189 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 20m; 5 source countries in all.
  13. Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of less than 78ml/gHS 39076983 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 13m; 8 source countries in all.
  14. Fans: table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125WHS 84145173 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 13m; 27 source countries in all.
  15. Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 85177979 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 13m; 46 source countries in all.
  16. Electrical apparatus: photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panelsHS 85414394 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 12m; 19 source countries in all.
  17. Footwear: (other than sportswear), with outer soles of rubber or plastics and uppers of textile materialsHS 64041968 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 10m; 38 source countries in all.
  18. Aluminium: alloys, bars, rods and profiles, other than hollowHS 76042970 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 10m; 28 source countries in all.
  19. Ceramic sinks, wash basins, wash basin pedestals, baths, bidets, water closet pans, flushing cisterns, urinals and similar sanitary fixtures: of porcelain or chinaHS 69101074 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 9m; 15 source countries in all.
  20. Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of textile materials (other than wool, fine animal hair, cotton or synthetic fibres), (not...HS 62046986 per cent of El Salvador's imports of the line, USD 9m; 57 source countries in all.
Another source, lower unit value

Where another country ships the same line for at least 20 per cent less a tonne.

Lines worth USD 5m or more where China's unit value is recorded and another country also ships at least USD 5m of the same line to El Salvador at a unit value at least 20 per cent lower. The largest such source is named. The same heading can hold different grades, so a lower figure is a question to ask, not a like-for-like price.

  1. Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of cotton, dyedHS 600622China: USD 15m at USD 5,387 a tonne. Honduras: USD 6m (11 per cent of the line) at USD 3,892 a tonne, 28 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,387 a tonne.
  2. Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators: other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter: put up in forms or packings for...HS 380893China: USD 12m at USD 5,643 a tonne. Guatemala: USD 12m (34 per cent of the line) at USD 3,081 a tonne, 45 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 7,338 a tonne.
  3. Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899China: USD 9m at USD 6,266 a tonne. United States: USD 8m (25 per cent of the line) at USD 4,417 a tonne, 30 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 6,263 a tonne.
  4. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500ccHS 870322China: USD 9m at USD 8,850 a tonne. Thailand: USD 9m (15 per cent of the line) at USD 2,510 a tonne, 72 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 5,805 a tonne.
  5. Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, for transport of goods, (of a g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1HS 870431China: USD 5m at USD 6,736 a tonne. United States: USD 35m (55 per cent of the line) at USD 3,352 a tonne, 50 per cent lower. Middle of all sources: USD 7,996 a tonne.
The other side of the lane

What El Salvador buys from everyone, and what it is placed to make.

What this record says

What crossed the border, what it was worth, and what it weighed.

Every figure on this page is from CEPII's BACI file, which reconciles what each pair of countries reports to the UN about the same shipment. Trade year 2024, compared with 2022. A line is one six-digit customs heading (HS 2022). Values are in US dollars at the border; growth is in current dollars, so part of any change is price, not volume.

Unit value. Unit values are customs values per tonne, declared at the border, not product prices. It is the value of a line divided by its declared weight, so it mixes grades, models and qualities under one heading. It is shown only where the weight is recorded, at least three source countries of USD 100k or more ship the line to El Salvador with a weight, and the figure sits within a factor of five of the middle of those sources. Outside that band it is treated as a recording problem and left out.

Share is China's part of everything El Salvador imported in that line, from every source. Sources counts the countries that shipped any of it.

Scope. Manufactured and processed goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, without ores, fuels, precious metals, scrap, raw farm output and one-off capital and defence purchases: the same rule as the Made here pages.

What it does not say

A record of trade, not a shopping list.

What this record does not say: what sells at retail, what margin a trade leaves, how crowded the marketplaces are, or how much of a flow is re-exported through entrepots such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

A large line is not proof of an opening, and a lower unit value from another country is not proof the goods are the same. Tariffs, standards, freight, payment terms, lead times and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. Nothing on this page is a forecast, a recommendation or a promise. No supplier company is named, because the record holds none.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601. Edition of 2026-11-03.

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