I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

The NHC’s MRL Database is a resource only available to U.S. growers, packers, and shippers of apples, pears, and sweet cherries who are located in the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and those that work with them. It is intended to be an initial guide for those U.S. Pacific Northwest companies interested in exporting tree fruit to select markets of interest. Commercially important information should be rechecked and verified with knowledgeable parties in the country of interest prior to sales or shipment. This Database utilizes global MRL data partially funded by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and managed by FoodChain ID. By accessing and using the NHC’s MRL Database, you acknowledge and agree that you have read and accept the foregoing terms and conditions of use and agree to be bound by them as an express condition to your continued use of the Database.

To access the MRL Database, click here.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

A. Chemical residue standards:

El Salvador defers to maximum residue levels established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. If there is no Codex MRL, El Salvador will accept the higher value of European Union or United States MRLs.

B. Monitoring chemical residues:

C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

No information.

IV. TARIFFS

As agreed under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, the tariff rate for U.S. apples, pears, and cherries is zero.

In order for importers to obtain this preferential duty-free rate, a Certificate of Origin must be provided. See section Chapter V, Section F for more information.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

A. Labeling requirements:

Cartons should be labeled with the following:

1.  Name of product.
2.  Net content.
3.  Lot identification.
4.  Packing date.
5.  Packer’s name and address.
6.  Country of origin.

B. Licenses and quotas:

None.

C. Currency Issues:

None.

D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

A phytosanitary certificate (PC) is required in order to import apples, pears, and cherries into El Salvador. For apples and pears, El Salvador requires an additional declaration (AD) stating that, “The shipment has been inspected and found free of pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green)) and originated in an area free from the insect.”

E. Certificate of Origin

A Certificate of Origin must accompany any shipment in order to obtain the preferential duty-free tariff provided under the DR-CAFTA.

There is no official Certification of Origin form. However, a “suggested form” for imports under DR-CAFTA, including instructions on how to fill in the form may be found at Certificate of Origin.

Special attention should be paid to entering the correct “preferential tariff treatment criteria” under box 7 of the suggested form.  For fruit exported from the Pacific Northwest, the correct entry is the capital letter A; which designates the import as “it is a good wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more of the Parties.”

VI. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:

Washington Apple Commission:

Tatiana Quiros
E-mail: tatiana.quiros@tqmarketing.com

Pear Bureau Northwest:

Luis Moreno
Grupo PM S.A. de C.V.
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Voice:   +52 777 316 7370
Fax:       +52 777 316 7369
E-mail:  grupopm@grupopm.com

VII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental:

• • El Salvador Country Commercial Guide (U.S. Department of Commerce)
  • U.S. Embassy
    • Foreign Agricultural Service

VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act was signed by President Bush on August 2, 2005. This FTA entered into force in El Salvador on March 1, 2006.

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office – El Salvador