GUATEMALA 

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS

Drugs, Firearms (or you need special permission from the Ministry of Defence), Food  (Only permitted 2kgs), Liquor (Only permitted 6 bottles)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 

Household   goods, personal   effects   and   vehicles   are subject to pay taxes/duties.                         

According with the customs regulations in Guatemala, it is not necessary to have a work    permit, only a tourist visa is enough.  There are no differences for Guatemalan citizens or foreign citizens

Diplomats of accredited foreign Embassies and Officials of International Organizations are exempted from customs taxes/duties.   Their shipments are subject   to customs inspection to proceed with customs.  They have to submit a diplomatic franchise and it should be processed by the Embassy   or International   Mission   in   Guatemala before shipment can be released

Air, Sea and Land Freights

Air and sea consolidated; shipments are cleared directly in a bonded warehouse under informal   entry, providing   the original documents for clearing the shipments.   All shipments are subject to a physical  inspections from customs  authorities.  This could take between 5 to 10 workings days, depending if it  arrives  via  air,  sea  or  land  and the size of the shipment.  It is necessary  to  unload  the  container  and  trailer  trucks in a bonded warehouse  previous  to  customs  clearance.    

Sea shipments  - FCL -       

Shipments  must   be   cleared  at  the  port  of  entry. The  customs authorities will make the  physical   inspection   at   the  port  of  entry  and they will determine the amount of the import taxes  to be paid.   The  port  authorities  will  collect  additional  charges  for unloading   the  container  at  the   port and   our  crew  will  be present to supervise the inspection and to seal  the boxes opened by  the officials.  Customs clearance takes three to five working days.

Note:  All shipments cannot be delivered until duties have been paid.

Customer   has to   be in Guatemala   to   clear   the   shipment    through   customs, any demurrage, additional charges and payment of the taxes/duties  is  for customer�s  account.

Automobiles  (POV)

POV with foreign plates may circulate in the country with a temporal permit of (30 days), but the owner cannot leave the country unless his car has been re-exported or all import duties have been paid.

All POV must be cleared at the POE. (Not in Guatemala City bonded warehouse).            Customs authorities will perform an inspection of the POV and documents prior to place the value of the duties/taxes to be paid. Customs clearance takes two weeks.

The following documents are required and should be provided to us prior the arrival of the shipment:

Documents must be originals otherwise customs will not consider them.

We need copy of the related documents via fax prior shipment arrival.

Air and Sea shipments

�         Air waybill or two originals of bill of lading

�         Original packing list in English or Spanish

�         Original of Owner passport with entry stamp

�         Delivery and billing instruction including insurance information

Nit number. We can process this document, we just need the original cedula (identification card) if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, we need the original passport.

Surface Shipments

�         Original of Cargo Manifest

�         Original Packing list

�         Original of Owner passport

�         Original of International Transit Guide 

�         Delivery and billing instructions including insurance information.

Nit number. We can process this document, we just need the original cedula (identification card) if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, we need the original passport.

Automobiles  (POV)

�         Original bill of lading

�         Original  of Car title as proof of ownership

�         Original of commercial invoice

�         Original of Owner passport

�         Delivery and billing instructions including insurance information.

�         Nit number. We can process this document, we just need the original cedula

�         (identification card) if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, we need the original passport.

Please send us the following POV information in your pre-advise:

�         No. of Chassis

�         No. of Motor

�         No. of doors

�         Make

�         Year

�         Style

�         No. Cylinder

�         Vin number

�         Fuel

�         Colour

�         Cubic centimetre (c.c.)

Note: If we do not receive the above information before arrival of the POV or if this information is incorrect, customer will have to pay US$.100.00 for inspection.

The Nit is a personal identification number which shipper must obtain from the Finance Ministry in Guatemala City. The customer will obtain this application form and presenting his original passport.  It is not possible to clear the shipment without the NIT.

In general it is not necessary to have the documents legalized at the Guatemalan Consulate at origin.

Important Information

Ship container Door to Door

Show as consignee on B/L or AWB

Name of customer

c/o INTERMUD, S.A

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Tel. (502) 4745174

Please refer shipment to our rate reference number on the consignment letter. The Bill of Lading or AWB must show freight charges.

All incoming shipments to Guatemala City will be inspected at port of entry, if customs requires. POV have a different customs procedure than household goods and personal effects

New items will be considered as a commercial entry and therefore subject to normal customs duty, paying full taxes/duties. A commercial invoice is necessary and must cover duties/taxes which range from 5% to 40% of CIF value plus 12% of valued added tax

Used items will be assessed by customs taking into consideration prices listed in the packing list and subject to physical inspection.

Pets

Pets require a health/vaccination certificate from origin dated within 30 days prior to arrival.

Important: This information is intended for general guidance and all T.I.M.N. members are entitled to reproduce this information and any contributions are welcomed.  T.I.M.N. cannot however take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use.  As such it is advisable to contact the nearest customs office for Guatemala for full and current information prior to importation.