Moving to guatemala from the uS


Moving To Guatemala

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Customs Regulations for Guatemala

  • Passports – original with latest entry stamp for all family members
  • Visa
  • Work permit
  • NIT Card (Guatemalan Tax ID card)
  • “Cedula” – ID card for returning Guatemalan citizens
  • Bill of Lading/Air Waybill – 2 originals: vehicle requires its own bill of lading regardless if it is in the same household goods container
  • Inventory list – with cost of items NOT INSURED VALUE
  • Delivery instructions
  • Customer must be in Guatemala for the shipment to clear Customs.
  • All shipments are subject to inspection.
  • Used household goods and personal effects are subject to duties and taxes of 27 percent of total CIF value.
  • New household goods are considered commercial entry and will incur full duties and taxes ranging from five percent to 40 percent of CIF value plus 12 percent of VAT.
  • Narcotics/illegal drugs
  • Weapons and ammunitions
  • Pornographic material
  • Pre-Columbian archaeological items or colonial antiques
  • Appliances – Items produced prior to the year 2000 will be denied entry. Items containing R11 and R12 are also prohibited.
  • Sporting guns require a permit
  • New items are subject to tax and duties up to 40 percent
  • Appliances – require a license otherwise they will be seized
  • Refrigerators and air conditioners require import permit
  • Electronics – must state serial number, make and model
  • Plants – require Phytosanitary Certificate notarized by Consulate
  • Food – only two kilograms allowed with Certificate of Purity notarized by Consulate
  • Alcohol –six bottles of wine or spirits is duty-free
  • Tobacco – 80 cigarettes, 3.5 ounces of tobacco is duty‑free

It is recommended to have both your pet’s Health Certificate and vaccination record stamped at the nearest origin Consulate prior to departure.

  • Quarantine is not required-however, pets are subject to duty (the only exception is proven pedigree pets)
  • Certificate of Vaccination – including rabies, parvovirus, dated less than 30 days prior to arrival required
  • Health Certificate –dated less than 30 days prior to arrival and endorsed by origin Consulate required
  • AWB – original required
  • Pedigree required if applicable
  • A 12 percent tax based on CIF value is determined by Customs.
  • Vehicles with luxury accessories will result in higher duty

Required documents:

  • Bill of Lading or Carte de Porte – two originals, notarized by Guatemalan Consulate at origin
  • Delivery instructions
  • Certificate of Title and Registration
  • Bill of Sale
  • NIT number and Passport
  • Vehicle condition report from certified mechanic

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

When Moving to Guatemala


Manage all the phases involved in relocating from USA to Guatemala with expert guidance from our team, such as:

  • Is storage an option?
  • Have you purchased or rented a home, apartment, or hotel room?
  • What is the amount of household goods and personal effects to move to Guatemala? Does this include a vehicle?

How Much Does it Cost to Move to Guatemala?


The cost of moving to Guatemala depends on the volume and cubic footage of the items you plan on shipping overseas. The more space your items take up, the higher the cost to ship them to Guatemala. Other shipping services will be charged in addition to the cost of overseas shipping. Because Guatemala is located in Central America close to the U.S., shipping times will not be as lengthy.

Call International Sea & Air Shipping for a free in-home estimate. This is the only way to ensure an accurate estimate to ship your items overseas.

About Guatemala


Guatemala is small country situated in Central America and is bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. It is the most populous country and has a diverse environmental ecosystem. Its name is derived from “Goathemala,” which means “the land of the trees” in the Maya-Toltec language.

It is a country filled with volcanoes, mountains and beaches on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea and three of its 30 volcanoes are still active. The majority of its area is land mass with a small coast line. About one-third of the population lives in highland villages instead of the warm and humid coastal lowlands.

Guatemala is a constitutional democratic republic. It has a multi-party system where a president is elected and assisted by a vice president and Council of Ministers. New laws are passed by Congress.

Tourism has become one of the main economic drivers in the country. The economy of Guatemala is predominantly dependent on agriculture.

Moving to Guatemala from the U.S.


If you’re planning a move from the US to Guatemala, we are the perfect moving company to manage it for you. Our experts will take care of all your moving needs from packing to shipping. You can sit back and look forward to a smooth moving experience when you choose International Sea & Air Shipping.