Guatemala

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

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Car condition report
• Original bill of lading (OBL) -- separate from household goods
• Original vehicle commercial invoice
• Original vehicle title, registration, or proof of ownership
• Original receipts of payment, transfer, or check submitted

Specific Information

Bill of lading vehicle details: The OBL must include: chassis number, engine number, number of doors, make, year, style, color, number of cylinders, vehicle identification number (VIN), fuel type, and cubic centimeters (cc).

Incomplete documentation fee: If the required vehicle documents are unavailable or incomplete, the owner will be charged approximately USD 150 for a customs inspection.

Vehicle age restriction: Guatemalan regulations allow the import of vehicles that are up to 10 years old. Vehicles older than 10 years from the date of manufacture may not be imported.

Duties and taxes on vehicles: Vehicles are subject to import duties and VAT (12%). Duty rates vary by vehicle type and value.

Pets

• Original invoice (if pet was purchased)
• Original air waybill
• Vaccination certificate (rabies plus additional vaccines; see below)
• Veterinary health certificate issued in the country of origin

Rabies vaccination: Dogs and cats must have a current rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days but not more than 12 months prior to entry. Guatemala does not accept multi-year rabies vaccinations. The administering veterinarian must issue, sign, and stamp the certificate.

Additional vaccinations required: Dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats must be vaccinated against FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia).

Microchip: Pets must be fitted with an ISO-compatible microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.

Health certificate: A veterinary health certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origin country, certifying the pet is healthy, free of contagious diseases, and has been treated for internal and external parasites. The certificate should be issued within 10 days of travel (some airlines require within 7 days). It should be in Spanish or accompanied by a Spanish translation.

USDA endorsement (for US-origin pets): The health certificate should be endorsed by USDA APHIS through the VEHCS system.

Import permit: An import permit is generally NOT required for personal pet travel to Guatemala, though regulations can change. For commercial animal imports, MAGA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food) requires a valid import permit.

Timing of arrival: Pets should arrive at the beginning of the week to avoid being held in customs care over weekends. Flights should arrive in the morning.

Duties on pets: Pets are subject to the payment of duties unless they are pedigreed animals (which may enter duty-free per VisaHQ). Confirm with the destination agent.

Puppies and kittens: Animals under 3 months of age may enter Guatemala without a rabies vaccination but must have all other required documentation.

No breed bans: Guatemala does not publish a list of banned dog breeds.

Electronic documents: Send electronic copies of all documents to the destination agent in advance to obtain the veterinary health certificate from MAGA/SEPA; this process takes approximately 3 business days.

CDC high-rabies-risk: Guatemala IS on the CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. Dogs returning to the United States from Guatemala will need to meet the CDC's requirements for dogs from high-risk countries, including the CDC Dog Import Form and either a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form (completed before departure from the U.S.) or additional documentation including a rabies titer test. Dogs must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, and appear healthy upon return to the U.S.

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