Shopping in El Salvador

Common shopping channels include supermercados, mercados municipales, wholesale markets and stores, tiendas de barrio, almacenes, specialized shops, centros comerciales, webshops and Marketplace platforms. Grocery prices differ between the Oriental, Central and Occidental regions, and the Defensoría del Consumidor (DC) publishes weekly price surveys that can support comparisons. For personal and household care products, availability, brand and price depend mainly on the provider; no category-specific public supply process is established. Clothing stores and online sellers usually set their own fitting and return policies, except where legal retracto or reversión rules apply. New non-perishable movable goods, including many electronic products and appliances, carry a legal guarantee covering quality, quantity, function and safety. A manufacturer's guarantee also binds the distributor. Losing the factura or warranty certificate does not by itself remove the guarantee claim. After up to two unsuccessful repair attempts, the buyer can request fulfillment of the guarantee, a replacement, a price reduction or a refund, according to the applicable rules. For electronics, compare offers through shops, almacenes, webshops or imports, and check the warranty provider, delivery terms and repair process. Electronic waste follows a separate disposal process; local collection depends on MARN or CNPML campaigns and the municipality. Online providers legally established in El Salvador should show their legal company name or razón social, NIT or tax identification number, contact details, complaint and clarification channels, accepted payment methods, guarantee policy, retracto and reversión policy, delivery conditions and the complete price including freight and other extra charges. The order summary must be printable or downloadable, and the seller must send confirmation of receipt no later than one calendar day after the order. Transaction records must remain confidential for ten years. Delivery may take up to 30 calendar days unless the parties agree on another period. For purchases from foreign sellers, the consumer-law reversión remedy is not assured; the platform's terms and Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA) requirements become especially relevant. Retracto is the right to withdraw from certain distance or off-premises contracts within eight days when the product has not been used and the service has not begun. The request should be made in writing with proof, and repayment may take up to 15 days. Reversión is a payment reversal process for cases such as valid withdrawal, non-delivery or non-performance, delivery of a different or defective product within eight days, or a payment error. A written request with evidence gives the provider up to 15 days under the applicable procedure. Save receipts, order confirmations, messages, delivery records and photographs. Payment options recognized by the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR) include cash, cards, electronic transfers and digital wallets. BCR Pay supports transfers between users or payments to an emprendimiento. The Superintendencia del Sistema Financiero (SSF) requires interest, commissions and surcharges to match the contract. A tasa cero installment offer applies only when the establishment participates, sufficient available credit exists, the written conditions are clear and each installment is paid on time. Credit and installment offers should show the cash price, total credit price, interest, effective annual rate, fees and installment amounts. The DC may review an unexplained card surcharge or difference between card and cash prices. The Consumer Protection Law requires information in Spanish that is clear, truthful, complete and provided in time. Prices must be visible, and cash or credit prices must include applicable surcharges. Promotions should state their conditions, duration and regular and offer prices. Sellers may not offer expired or altered goods or use false advertising. If a complaint is unresolved, contact the DC through its website, Defensoría 2.0 app, 910, WhatsApp at 7844-1482 or an in-person office. The process may begin with an avenimiento, a settlement attempt in which the provider has 18 working days to respond, followed by conciliation and, where appropriate, referral to the Tribunal Sancionador. Unauthorized card transactions and fraud also fall under the Ley del Sistema de Tarjetas de Crédito. For private, non-commercial online imports valued at up to USD 300, the DGA states that 13% IVA applies to the goods value plus an assessed freight portion of 10% and insurance of 1.5%. The customs process excludes prescription medicines, weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, dangerous substances, ionizing radiation, prohibited goods and commercial goods. Keep the invoice, order confirmation and payment proof. For sustainability, the Ley de Gestión Integral de Residuos y Fomento al Reciclaje assigns responsibilities to citizens, municipalities and companies. Separate waste at the source, reduce packaging, reuse items and prefer durable products with less disposable material. The Sello Ambiental Salvadoreño Type I can indicate environmental performance, but collection availability varies by place and campaign; a 2022 indicator reported 5.71 kg of electronic waste per inhabitant and formal collection of 0.40%.