Importing Personal Effects into Guatemala: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Guatemala Import Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods

• AIR AND SEA SHIPMENTS
• Copy of owner’s passport with entry stamp including all blank pages in PDF format, please do not send photos.
• In the passport the client must have proof of entry stamp to the origin country for at least 2 years.
• This process is omitted if the customer has a passport from the country of origin of the move.
• Guatemala entry stamp must be valid for at least 6 months.
• Copy of NIT/ RTU number (client´s tax id)
• Must be updated to current year, if not, it will be refused by customs authorities.
• We need to know the fiscal address that the customer used to register the NIT number at SAT (Custom Office).
• Air Waybill or two originals of Bill of Lading mentioned the cost of freight.
• OBL to be printed at destination
• All devices must have serial number, model and brand detailed in the packing list.
• Copy of detailed Inventory / packing list in Spanish or English in Excel/word format, mandatory.
• For Air and LCL mentioned quantity of pieces (4 t-shirts, 5 pair of shoes, 15 spoons, etc.) detailed packing list, indicating the quantities of goods packed in each box.
• NOTE: DUE TO NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS THAT CAME INTO EFFECT IN FEBRUARY 2026, DO NOT INCLUDE ITEMS CONTAINING REFRIGERANT GAS IN SHIPMENTS (refrigerator, air conditioner, freezer, wine cooler, etc). Failure to follow our instructions may result in high additional fees and possible confiscation of the item. LAND SHIPMENTS
• Original Waybill and Cargo Manifest with cost of freight.
• Copy of Inventory / packing list in Spanish in Excel/word format, mandatory
• All devices must have serial number, model and brand detailed in the packing list.
• Copy of owner’s passport with entry stamp including all blank pages in PDF format, please do not send photos.
• In the passport the client must have proof of entry stamp to the origin country for at least 2 years.
• This process is omitted if the customer has a passport from the country of origin of the move.
• Guatemala entry stamp must be valid for at least 6 months.
• Copy of NIT/ RTU number (client´s tax id)
• Must be updated to current year, if not, it will be refused by customs authorities.
• The moving agent needs to know the
• fiscal address that the customer used to register the NIT number at SAT (Custom Office).
• NOTE: DUE TO NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS THAT CAME INTO EFFECT IN FEBRUARY 2026, DO NOT INCLUDE ITEMS CONTAINING REFRIGERANT GAS IN SHIPMENTS (refrigerator, air conditioner, freezer, wine cooler, etc). Failure to follow our instructions may result in high additional fees and possible confiscation of the item.

• Subject to payment of duties and taxes:
• New items are considered as commercial entry.
• Do not send these as part of the HHG shipment or you will face additional charges.
• Subject to normal customs duty, paying full taxes/duties.
• A commercial invoice is necessary and must cover duties / taxes from 5% to 40% CIF value, adding 12% tax.
• Subject to physical inspection
• Used items are:
• Assessed by Customs considering depreciate values listed in the packing list.
• Subject to physical inspection
• Recommendation: insured values not to appear on the inventory or cargo manifest to avoid higher charges.
• Recommended POE: Santo Tomas de Castilla or Puerto Barrios
• The NIT/RTU is a personal identification number; It is a requirement that applies to Guatemala citizens and foreign nationals – Diplomat or private
• Every consignee must obtain it from the
• Agency of the Tax Administration (SAT)
• Documents needed to process NIT/RTU (note: verify requirements with the SAT office):
• Original passport.
• Fully photocopy of passport.
• Water, electricity or phone bill of place of residence in Guatemala. If the client does not have an address in Guatemala, a water or electricity bill from the client’s employer can be used.
• The original DPI (identification card) is needed if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, they need the original passport.
• NIT/RTU application process:
• Complete the form for entering and updating taxpayer information on the unified tax register.
• Present the above-mentioned documents
• Moving agent cannot give consignment instructions/green light until the client obtains the NIT.

• Customs Inspection:
• Air, Sea and Land freights:
• Shipments are cleared directly at POE, AOE, border of entry providing the original documents for clearing the shipments.
• All are subject to physical inspection from custom authorities and antinarcotic inspection.
• For shipments moved from POE to a Fiscal Warehouse, it is necessary to unload the container or trailer truck to continue custom clearance. It requires an additional Customs Clearance.
• Land shipments that include Vehicles, selected for a customs inspection, are transported to a bonded warehouse for inspection and to be cleared, this process could take 2-3 working days, subject to change due to congestion.
• If an inspection takes place at POE, AOE or bonded warehouse, inspection charges will be invoiced.
• Customs require completing entry and paying taxes / duties directly at POE.
• Sea shipments:
• SUGGEST POE; Santo Tomas de Castilla, customs process is from 10 to 15 business days.
• Puerto Barrios, customs process is from 15 to 20 business days.
• Puerto Quetzal, not recommended customs process from 15 to 20 business days, extra costs are higher if the shipments arrives at APM terminal, avoid this port.
• FCL Shipping Line: We strongly recommend not to utilize Hamburg Sud, Maersk, Sealand, Cosco, Evergreen, because their release process, creates issues that will translate to delays and additional charges.
• Do not use route via Acajutla, it is necessary that you hire a customs broker in El Salvador to release the cargo, which will cause delays and additional expenses not contemplated.
• Cosco requests a bank fee of US$40.00 per each transfer that we make, if you use Cosco consider $80.00 for bank fee that we will add to our balance, they do not provide an invoice.
• If you choose Maersk/Sealand we will add US$500,00 for guarantee to the additional charges, the funds will be refunded to your company when Maersk makes the return; the process takes several weeks
• If you choose Evergreen we will add US$5,000.00 for guarantee to the additional charges, the funds will be
• refunded to your company when Evergreen makes the return; the process takes several weeks
• Please book directly with Shipping line, avoid NVOCC, it can cause delays and extra cost.
• NOTE: DUE TO NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS THAT CAME INTO EFFECT IN FEBRUARY 2026, DO NOT INCLUDE ITEMS CONTAINING REFRIGERANT GAS IN SHIPMENTS (refrigerator, air conditioner, freezer, wine cooler, etc). Failure to follow our instructions may result in high additional fees and possible confiscation of the item.

Diplomats Removals

• Same as Removal Goods
• NOTE: DUE TO NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS THAT CAME INTO EFFECT IN FEBRUARY 2026, DO NOT INCLUDE ITEMS CONTAINING REFRIGERANT GAS IN SHIPMENTS (refrigerator, air conditioner, freezer, wine cooler, etc). Failure to follow our instructions may result in high additional fees and possible confiscation of the item.

• Diplomats of accredited foreign Embassies and Officers of International Organizations are not excluded from customs inspection.
• The mover has to request to the Embassy a Letter of non-opening of the container.
• The letter is to be presented to the port authorities. The moving agent needs this letter to continue the custom process, otherwise it is subject to physical inspection.
• It is allowed to include only up to a maximum of 4 bottles per shipment. This applies for both diplomatic and individual shipments. Liquor is not part of used household goods.

• Diplomats have to submit a diplomatic franchise that should be processed by the Embassy or International Entity in Guatemala before to start with the Customs Clearance process.
• If the diplomatic franchise is not ready before the arrival of the shipment, it is recommended to move the shipment to a Fiscal Warehouse and wait for the document in order to avoid higher extra costs at port. This transfer will generate additional costs
• It is recommended that before the shipment departs from origin, the client must have their valid accreditation in Guatemala, to avoid additional charges and expensive extra cost.

Wedding trousseaux & inheritance

• Same as above

• Same as Removal Goods.

New furniture & Household Goods

• Same as above

• Same as Removal Goods.
• Purchase invoices to determine cost of duties and taxes.
• Consignee has to be register as an Importer with the Guatemalan Custom office, personal procedure.

Works of Art & Antiques

• Same as above.
• Permit of the Ministry of Culture:
• It applies if the shipment includes work of art, paintings, sculptures, religious images and other articles related with Art.
• It is requested during custom clearance with an extra cost of US$300.00.
• The process can take from 05/07 working days.

• Same as Removal Goods
• The import of Pre-Colombian Archaeological or Colonial Antiques are prohibited.

Precious metal objects (jewellery, coins)

• Prohibited

Household & Electrical Appliances

• NOTE: DUE TO NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS THAT CAME INTO EFFECT IN FEBRUARY 2026, DO NOT INCLUDE ITEMS CONTAINING REFRIGERANT GAS IN SHIPMENTS (refrigerator, air conditioner, freezer, wine cooler, etc). Failure to follow our instructions may result in high additional fees and possible confiscation of the item. All devices must be used and have serial number, model and brand detailed in the packing list.

Carpets

• Same as above.

• Same as Removal Goods.

• Consignee has to be registered as an Importer with the Guatemalan Custom office, personal procedure.

Other vehicles (bicycle, water vehicle)

• Same as Removal Goods.
• Boats, yachts and other vehicles: same as Motor Vehicles

• Agents cannot declare household goods and auto on the same OBL, even if both are coming in the same container. Each one has to present a different OBL.
• Spare parts / tires are prohibited.
• If one of the vehicles details as color, vin, etc does not match with the information provided:
• The destination agent needs to request Letter of correction for the BL.
• Need to amend import permit.
• Vehicle´s proforma invoice must be amended.
• With the corrected documents, the destination agent has to present to Customs office a written document with authenticated photographs of the car showing the correct information so that they can authorize the rectification of the DA (import permit) and payment of the fine.
• It has an extra cost of around US$1,000.00 to US$2,000.00 (the process to correct the documents)
• The process takes around 3/4 weeks.

• For Electric Vehicles:
• Import taxes: the vehicle could be exonerated if it complies with the requirements of decree 40-2022.
• The following information needs to be sent to destination agent in pre-advice prior to shipment dispatch:
• Chassis number
• Engine number and photo (without this information the customs clearance process cannot start)
• Number of doors of the vehicle
• Brand
• Year of manufacture
• Style
• Serial number
• Color
• Number of seats
• Report Watts or Kilowatts
• Date of manufacture
• If the battery is charged
• If the destination agent does not receive the above information at time of packing or if the information is incomplete, the shipment must be moved to a Fiscal Warehouse.
• This transfer will generate additional costs for transport and second customs clearance.
• Cost for inspection USD150.00.
• Agents cannot declare household goods + auto on the same OBL, even if both are coming in the same container. Each one has to present a different OBL
• For shipments where household items and a car are included in the same container, 2 BLS will be required (one per household goods and one per car). In the event that it is inconvenient at origin country and only one (1) BL is issued, it will be necessary to generate an additional document in Guatemala for customs processing, this has an additional cost of $250.00
• Others same as Motor Vehicles.

Machines, Appliances & Spare parts

• Prohibited as part of removal goods.

Alcohol, Wine

• Authorization from the Ministry of Health (Phytosanitary Certificate).
• Original invoices.

• Alcohol and wine are considered as commercial entry and subject to normal customs duty.
• The packing list has to show the details of each bottle.
• It is allowed to include only up to a maximum of 4 bottles per shipment. This applies for both diplomatic and individual shipments.

• The process to obtain a permission to import the bottles must be done by the owner.
• It is recommended not to include them, if they are detected by customs, they will be confiscated, there will be fines and additional expenses not estimated.

Tins & Food

• Authorization from the Ministry of Health (Phytosanitary Certificate) and the Ministry of Agriculture. The process to obtain a permission to import must be done by the owner.

• It is allowed to include only up to a maximum of 4 units per shipment into one small box. This applies for both diplomatic and individual shipments.
• Tins and food are considered as commercial entry and subject to normal customs duty.

• It is recommended not to include tins and food, if they are detected by customs, they will be confiscated, there will be fines and additional expenses not estimated.

GOODS Arms, Ammunition & Dangerous items Medicines, Narcotics & Drugs

• DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• CUSTOMS PRESCRIPTIONS
• The packing list has to show the details of each unit.
• The packing list has to specify the amount of food.
• Consignee has to be register as an Importer with the Guatemalan Custom office, personal procedure.
• Prohibited as part of removal goods.
• Medicines are sold duty free without prescription in Guatemala.
• Narcotics and drugs are not permitted.

• REMARKS
• Do not include these items in household goods shipments.
• It is recommended not to include these items, if they are detected by customs, they will be confiscated, there will be fines and additional expenses not estimated.

Plants

• Prohibited as part of removal goods.

• Do not include plants in household goods shipments.

Prohibited Articles

• Narcotics
• Drugs
• Pornographic material.
• Arms
• Seeds
• Food including pets food
• Alcohol
• Wine
• Car tires /Spare parts
• Batteries
• Building materials
• Others

• Archaeological legitimate and colonial items.
• See sections ‘plants, medicines, arms, tins, alcohol, machines,
• Guatemala does not allow the entry of any appliance containing refrigerant Gas

Fumigation of imported wooden crates

• Guatemalan government adopted ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Publication 15) guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in International Trade (aka NIFM-15) to standard the treatment of wood packing materials used for transporting of goods.
• Shipments in or out of Guatemala in wooden packaging need to have a seal certifying that the wood has received the required treatment (HT heated treatment, a minimum wood core temperature of 56°C for a minimum of 30 minutes, or fumigation with methyl bromide (MT).
• The minimum temperature should not be less than 10°C and the minimum exposure time should not be below sixteen hours.
• The treatments established in this regulation are intended to reduce introduction and or dissemination of
• quarantine plagues associated to wood packaging.
• The wood packing material must be marked in a visible location on each article, on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark in black ink.
• Labels and adhesives are not allowed.
• The approved format of the mark should be as follows: XX is the country code, 000 the producer number, YY the treatment type, and it has to include the inspection agency logo.
• If a shipment arrives without this seal, it will be subject to treatment that will cause additional expenses and it will delay the custom process for 3-4 days.

• This regulation DOES NOT apply to wood packing materials manufactured of:
• Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less.
• Processed wood manufactured by glue, heat and pressure, or a combination thereof.
• Plywood sheets and agglomerated sawdust sheet.
• Oriented wooden fibre sheets.
• Sawdust and wooden fibre.

Exporting Personal Effects from Guatemala: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Guatemala Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• Clear copy of customer's passport - all pages
• Copy of RTU - (Tax ID Card)
• Must be updated to current year, if not, it will be refused by customs authorities.
• Must include the fiscal address the customer used to register the NIT number at SAT (Custom Office).
• The NIT/RTU is a personal identification number; It is a requirement that applies to Guatemala citizens and foreign nationals – diplomat or private.
• Every shipper must obtain it from the Agency of the Tax Administration (SAT).
• To obtain the Nit please call or visit one of the SAT offices to verify requirements

• For Air shipment the passport must be notarized by a lawyer.
• Shipments from POE Puerto Quetzal, the passport must be notarized by a lawyer.

• All shipments are subject to custom inspection.
• Temporary Exporter Registration Process
• Any shipment scheduled to depart from Guatemala must have the Temporary Exporter Form duly completed by the client in his/her SAT Agencia Virtual (customs web page)
• To comply with this, the client must log into the SAT (Tax ID) platform on the specified date and complete the corresponding form. Important:
• This procedure must be completed within the same day as requested, since the permit is valid for 24 hours only.
• Once the registration is completed, you should inform your mover immediately to proceed with the export authorization.
• Your Nit must be in good order (sin omisos), otherwise the Export permit will be rejected and the shipment will be on hold, this will cause extra charges with shipping line or cargo agency, until you resolve the inconvenience, we will be able to issue the export permit

Vehicles - Diplomatic

• Legible and complete passport photocopy
• Copy of RTU - (Tax ID Card)
• Must be updated to current year, if not, it will be refused by customs authorities.
• Must include the fiscal address the customer used to register the NIT number at SAT (Custom Office).
• Legible photocopy of property title of the car.
• Photocopy of import policy (if applicable)
• Legible photocopy of circulation card of the car.
• Original documents of the return of plates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Photocopy of the form "Notice of Return of Vehicle Circulation Plates" (signed and stamped received by SAT).
• Original solvency of EMETRA Fines and penalties (current to the date of the delivery of the car).
• Original Solvency of the PNC (current as of the delivery date of the car).

• All photocopy documents must be notarized by a lawyer (if you will be shipped by Puerto Quetzal Port) or AUTHENTICATED by your Embassy (if cargo will be shipped by Santo Tomas or Puerto Barrios Port).

• The vehicle registration tax for the current year must be paid
• The vehicle must have at most 1/8 tank of gasoline filled and must be shipped with the battery disconnected; otherwise the shipping company will refuse to load it All shipments are subject to custom inspection.
• Agent cannot declare household goods + auto on the same OBL, even if both are loaded in the same container. Each one has to present a different OBL.
• Temporary Exporter Registration Process
• As part of the new customs regulations, any shipment scheduled to depart from Guatemala must have the Temporary Exporter Form duly completed by
• To comply with this, the client must log into the SAT (Tax ID) platform on the specified date and complete the corresponding form. Important:
• This procedure must be completed within the same day as requested, since the permit is valid for 24 hours only.
• Once the registration is completed, you should inform your mover immediately to proceed with the export authorization.
• Your Nit must be in good order (sin omisos), otherwise the Export permit will be rejected and the shipment will be on hold, this will cause extra charges with shipping line or cargo agency, until you resolve the inconvenience, your mover will be able to issue the export permit

Vehicles - Private

• Legible and complete passport photocopy
• Copy of RTU - (Tax ID Card):
• Must be updated to current year, if not, it will be refused by customs authorities.
• Must include the fiscal address the customer used to register the NIT number at SAT (Custom Office).
• Photocopy of import policy (if applicable).
• Legible photocopy of property title of the car.
• Legible photocopy of circulation card of the car.
• Photocopy of the form "Notice of Return of Vehicle Circulation Plates" signed and stamped received by SAT.
• Original solvency of EMETRA Fines and penalties (current to the date of the delivery of the car).
• Original Solvency of the PNC (current as of the delivery date of the car).
• Proforma Invoice with FOB value
• Export license: The customer must apply for this at the VUPE Export Counter, along with copies of the documents mentioned above. The application must be submitted about two days before the car is handed over to the moving company.
• Customers can verify the requirements by calling the Help Desk at 1550.
• The customer must complete the necessary procedures to obtain the required documentation for all entities.

• All photocopy documents must be notarized by a lawyer.

• The vehicle registration tax for the current year must be paid
• The vehicle must have at most 1/8 tank of gasoline filled and must be shipped with the battery disconnected; otherwise the shipping company will refuse to load it
• All shipments are subject to custom inspection.
• Agent cannot declare household goods + auto on the same OBL, even if both are loaded in the same container. Each one has to present a different OBL.
• Temporary Exporter Registration Process
• Any shipment scheduled to depart from Guatemala must have the Temporary Exporter Form duly completed by
• To comply with this, the client must log into the SAT (Tax ID) platform on the specified date and complete the corresponding form. Important:
• This procedure must be completed within the same day as requested, since the permit is valid for 24 hours only.
• Once the registration is completed, you should inform your mover immediately to proceed with the export authorization.
• Your Nit must be in good order (sin omisos), otherwise the Export permit will be rejected and the shipment will be on hold, this will cause extra charges with shipping line or cargo agency, until you resolve the inconvenience, your mover will be able to issue the export permit.

Prohibited items

• For any type of shipment

• Narcotics
• Drugs
• Pornographic material.
• Arms
• Seeds
• Food including pets food
• Alcohol
• Wine
• Car tires /Spare parts
• Batteries
• Building materials
• Others

• Corrosives, lithium batteries, hover boards
• Lithium batteries should be removed from the device in case of laptops, tables - we recommend to the client to take these articles with them.
• Archaeological legitimate and colonial items.

Restricted items – for Air Shipments

• Pictures, paintings of any kind, religious images, religious pictures:
• It applies if the shipment includes work of art, paintings, sculptures, religious images and others articles related with Art.
• It is requested during custom clearance with an extra cost of US$300.00.
• The process can take 03-05 weeks with the Ministry of Culture, it has to be done before packing of the work of art is made. The client can do the process to avoid extra cost
• Wooden ornaments of any size and framed photographs

Guatemala Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Guatemala Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Specific Information

Tributary Identification Number (NIT): Every person clearing a shipment through Guatemalan customs must have a NIT, which is a personal tax identification number obtained from the Superintendencia de Administracion Tributaria (SAT). If the owner does not yet have a personal address in Guatemala, an employer address may be used on the application. An alternative form is the RTU, which is the same tax ID presented as two sheets of paper showing the date the ID was updated and printed. Processing typically takes 1 hour to 1 day.

Name and address matching (critical): The address on the NIT card must match the name used on the original bill of lading, air waybill, or cargo manifest exactly. If they do not match, the shipment cannot be cleared. Ensure the destination agent has the correct consignment instructions before shipping.

Valued bill of lading: The original bill of lading must include a declared value for the shipment.

Antiques and art: Antiques, artifacts, carpets, and paintings are permitted if declared as part of the household goods shipment in reasonable quantities and listed on the packing list.

Household goods and vehicles on separate documents: Guatemala customs does not allow household goods and a vehicle to be declared on the same bill of lading, even if both are shipped in the same container. Each must have its own OBL.

ISPM 15: All wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM 15 standards (heat-treated or fumigated and marked).

Duties & Taxes

Duties and taxes: Household goods are generally subject to import duties and taxes. Guatemala uses the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) method to calculate duties. The standard VAT rate is 12%. Duty rates vary by product category under the Central American Common Tariff (CAUCA/RECAUCA). Diplomats with proper exemption documentation may be exempt.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Special Categories

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea shipments.

NIT/RTU requirement (critical): The owner must obtain the Tributary Identification Number (NIT) or RTU before the shipment can be cleared. The address on the NIT must match the consignee details on the bill of lading exactly. Obtain correct consignment instructions from the agent BEFORE shipping.

Separate documentation for vehicles: Household goods and vehicles cannot share the same bill of lading. Ship them on separate OBLs even if they are in the same container.

Packing list: Must be in English or Spanish and should list all items with descriptions.

MAGA/SEPA inspection: Upon arrival, shipments may be inspected by OIRSA (the regional phytosanitary inspection entity for Central America). Original copies of all required documents must be presented. The importer must also pay duties to SAT via deposit at an approved bank.

Timing: Send electronic copies of all documents to the destination agent well in advance of arrival to allow time for pre-clearance processing.