Sending a package to Guatemala: Customs, transit time and import explained simply
What companies should consider when shipping goods to Guatemala City and Central America
Guatemala is the most populous market in Central America and imports numerous machines, technical products, and consumer goods. Shipments from Germany are subject to third-country regulations. Therefore, goods require complete customs information and must be declared upon import into Guatemala.
- Shipping from Germany to Guatemala
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Compare carriers and shipping costs
- International shipment tracking
- Check EU customs preference
- 12% VAT included
- Preparing for DUCA customs clearance
- Solutions for regular business mailings
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A clear description of the goods significantly facilitates the import process.
For Guatemala, the value of the goods, their origin, and their customs tariff number should be determined before booking the shipment.
A clear and understandable product description is particularly important.
It facilitates customs clearance and helps in checking whether permits, registrations or additional documents are required for the goods.
Use EU preference
A trade preference agreement has existed between the European Union and Guatemala since 2013. This allows for more favorable customs duties to apply to goods with proven EU preferential origin.
Include 12% VAT
The standard Guatemalan value-added tax (VAT) rate is 12 percent. This tax also applies to regular taxable imports.
Check Spanish product information
Especially for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and certain medical devices, Spanish-language labeling and additional registrations may be required.
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Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to Guatemala: Who covers the import costs?
When making a business shipment to Guatemala, it should be determined who is responsible for customs and taxes before shipping.
For DAP The seller organizes the transport to the agreed destination.
The recipient generally assumes:
- Import clearance
- Import duty
- 12% VAT
- additional local fees
For DDP In contrast, the seller assumes the agreed costs and obligations of the import.
A DDP solution should be individually assessed for Guatemala.
In particular, the following need to be clarified:
- who acts as an importer
- whether the importer must be registered in Guatemala
- Which customs duty rate applies?
- whether an EU preference can be used
- whether product approvals are required
For commercial imports, the Guatemalan customs administration requires registration in the importer register under certain conditions.
You can find more information about the delivery terms in our guide to DAP and DDP for international shipping.
What are the customs duties in Guatemala?
Guatemala uses the common tariff of the Central American internal market.
The underlying system is called:
Sistema Arancelario Centroamericano, SAC for short.
For most industrial and agricultural goods, the regular import duties range between:
0 and 15 percent.
Deviations are possible.
Higher rates apply to certain sensitive goods. These may include, for example, certain:
- alcoholic drinks
- Tobacco products
- Vehicles
- Agricultural products
belong.
Therefore, customs duties should always be determined based on the specific product.
The right Customs tariff number or HS code This is the most important basis for that.
What is the value-added tax (VAT) in Guatemala?
The standard Guatemalan value-added tax rate is:
12% VAT
IVA stands for:
Impuesto al Valor Agregado.
The tax is functionally equivalent to the German value added tax and is also levied on taxable imported goods.
Therefore, when calculating the cost of a goods delivery, not only transport costs and customs duties should be taken into account.
Depending on the product, the following may occur:
- Import duty
- 12% VAT
- Excise taxes, if applicable
- Customs clearance fees
- Carrier fees
VAT: 12%
EU customs preference: When can German goods be imported more cheaply?
Guatemala is part of the trade agreement between the European Union and Central America.
The trade part of the agreement has been applied to Guatemala since December 2013.
This allows goods with EU preferential origin to benefit from reduced import duties.
The following will be available as proofs of preferential origin in 2026:
- EUR.1 movement certificate
- Declaration of origin for originating products up to €6.000
- Declaration of origin by an authorized exporter under the relevant conditions
However, the actual origin of the goods is decisive.
A product does not automatically receive EU preferential origin just because it is shipped from a German warehouse.
Companies that regularly ship to Guatemala should therefore already record the origin of goods and preferential status in their ERP or merchandise management system.
Shipping to Guatemala: What companies should know before pickup
Guatemala is located between Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
Guatemala City, the capital city, is the economic center and the most important location for international air freight and express shipments.
Due to its location, the country has access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
This also makes Guatemala interesting for larger international trade flows.
What documents do I need for Guatemala?
For a normal commercial delivery of goods, the following are particularly required:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing List
- Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
- Product description
- Customs tariff number
- Country of origin
- Proof of preference, if applicable
- Import permits may be required.
For regular sales of goods, a commercial invoice is used.
However, for free samples, warranty replacements, or other non-commercial goods movements, a pro forma invoice may be useful.
You can find out more at Commercial invoice or pro forma invoice.
What is the DUCA?
Guatemala uses the following for customs clearance: Central American Single Declaration, or DUCA for short.
DUCA is the common Central American customs declaration.
It replaces older national and regional customs forms.
Different variants are used depending on the movement of goods.
The system supports, among other things:
- Amount
- Exports
- regional goods traffic
- international customs transit
The Guatemalan tax and customs authority SAT provides its own electronic procedures and up-to-date tables for this purpose.
In practice, for a normal courier or express shipment, the carrier or its customs partner often takes over a significant part of the operational registration.
EUR.1 or declaration of origin?
For goods with preferential EU origin, the customs relief of the EU-Central America Agreement can be used.
A valid proof of origin is required for this.
For originating products up to a value of EUR 6.000 In principle, a declaration of origin can be used according to the prescribed wording.
Another option is the certificate of movement of goods. EUR.1.
For regular deliveries and higher goods values, simplified procedures requiring approval may be of interest.
What remains important is:
The country of dispatch and the country of origin are not the same thing.
How long does it take for a package to reach Guatemala?
Sufficient time should be allowed for standard shipping.
DHL Parcel currently states a delivery time estimate of:
20 to 28 working days.
Express shipping is significantly faster.
DHL Express Worldwide currently has a standard delivery time of approximately [timeframe missing] for Guatemala 2 working days in the main run .
For goods subject to customs duties, the DHL transit time table allows for an additional working day for clearance.
For a normal shipment of goods, you should therefore allow approximately:
3 working days with express delivery
can be considered as a guideline.
The actual duration also depends on the destination, the value of the goods, and customs inspection.
Customs documents in English or Spanish
DHL lists the following languages as acceptable for the customs declaration in Guatemala:
- English
- Spanish
Spanish can be particularly helpful for importing.
This applies in particular to goods that are also subject to product registration or labeling requirements.
A good product description would be, for example:
“Bomba centrífuga de acero inoxidable para sistema industrial de agua”
or in English:
“Stainless steel centrifugal pump for industrial water system”
Instead of general terms like "parts" or "equipment", the product, material and use should be identifiable.
Write the address to Guatemala correctly
Guatemalan addresses often also include a so-called zone.
An address might look like this, for example:
Sample Guatemala SA
18 Calle 5-60, Zona 10
01010 Guatemala City
GUATEMALA
For international shipments, the following should always be included:
- Phone number
- Email address
- full postal code
be deposited.
Compare shipping costs to Guatemala
The price depends on the specific shipment.
The following are particularly relevant:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- destination
- Shipping service
- Type of goods
- Carrier
Via the <strong>integrated datalog</strong> the measuring values can be stored on the humimeter RH5 paper moisture meter and additional data can be added. You also have the possibility to use the Autolog function. This function automatically saves measuring values in adjustable time intervals. Shipping cost calculator from Paket International Companies can compare available transport options.
These errors are delaying shipments to Guatemala
Many problems arise not during transport, but only upon import.
Typical causes include:
- general product description
- incorrect customs tariff number
- incomplete commercial invoice
- EU preferential origin assumed without proof
- EUR.1 or declaration of origin forgotten
- Importer not correctly registered
- Product registration not verified
- Spanish labeling is missing
Additional rules may apply, especially to food products.
Depending on the product, imported food products require, among other things:
- health registration
- Import permit
- phytosanitary or veterinary certificate
- Spanish language labeling
Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and certain medical devices may also be subject to registration before commercial import.
Therefore, for these goods, the importability should be clarified first, and only then should the transport be booked.
What goods are shipped from Germany to Guatemala?
With approximately 18,7 million inhabitants, Guatemala has a comparatively large domestic market in Central America.
In 2025, Germany exported goods worth approximately 390 million euros to Guatemala.
The following goods may be of particular interest to German companies:
- Machinery and equipment
- Machine spare parts
- Electrical Engineering
- Tools
- Measurement and testing technology
- Medical Technology
- car parts
- chemical products
- industrielle Bedarf
Guatemala imported goods worth approximately US$32,5 billion in 2024. This underscores the strong importance of international supply chains for the country.
For food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and certain medical devices, import and registration requirements should be checked particularly early.
You can find more international destinations in our Country overview.
Shipping information: Guatemala
Standard or express shipping to Guatemala.
For less time-critical goods, a traditional parcel service can be used.
DHL Parcel currently states a delivery time of approximately 20 to 28 working days.
For spare parts, production materials, or other urgent business shipments, the difference to express shipping is significant.
DHL Express Worldwide currently requires approximately two business days for standard delivery. Additional time should be allowed for customs clearance of goods subject to customs duties.
A Express shipping to Guatemala This can therefore be particularly interesting for time-critical B2B shipments.
For larger goods or multiple packages, Pallet shipping and individual freight solutions are possible.
You can find an overview at international shipping methods.
What routes do goods take to reach Guatemala?
Guatemala City plays a central role in parcel and express shipments.
International air freight shipments are handled via the capital region.
Guatemala has ports on two coasts for larger quantities of goods.
Particularly important are:
- Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific coast
- Santo Tomás de Castilla on the Caribbean coast
- Puerto Barrios on the Caribbean coast
Puerto Quetzal is one of the country's most important ports and is particularly relevant for container and commercial import traffic.
For machinery, equipment, or larger deliveries of goods, a individual freight solution be useful.
For sea freight, additional time should be factored in for port handling and inland transport.
What are the import costs in Guatemala?
The potential costs are made up of several components.
Depending on the product, this includes:
- 0 to 15% regular import duty on many goods
- 12% VAT
- Product-specific taxes may apply
- Carrier and handling fees
- Possible costs for permits or inspections
Higher customs duties may apply to certain goods.
If the goods have EU preferential origin, the EU-Central America agreement can reduce or completely eliminate the actual import duty.
The IVA (Individual VAT) should be considered separately from this.
You can find general basic information in our guide to Customs and import duties.
How much does a package to Guatemala cost?
A fixed country price would be of little help.
A small express shipment to Guatemala City is calculated differently than several boxes to Quetzaltenango or a pallet for an industrial customer.
The price is primarily influenced by:
- Weight
- Volumetric weight
- Dimensions
- Destination address
- Shipping speed
- Type of goods
- Carrier
Customs duties and VAT may also apply.
Current shipping offers can be found via the Shipping cost calculator be compared.
Online trade to Guatemala: Consider the final price, not just the shipping cost.
Guatemala has a growing online retail sector. However, for German retailers, cross-border shipping remains a classic third-country process.
In addition to the shop price, the buyer may incur the following costs with DAP:
- Import duty
- 12% VAT
- Carrier handling fees
- possibly further product charges
These costs should be communicated as transparently as possible.
In case of a possible DDP solution The agreed import costs can already be covered by the dealer.
For this to happen, the carrier, importer, and tax arrangements must be determined in advance.
For food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and regulated health products, a correct customs declaration is often insufficient. Local product registration may be required in these cases.
You can find more information about the delivery terms at DAP and DDP.
Why Guatemala is interesting for EU-origin goods
Guatemala, along with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, is part of the trade agreement between the European Union and Central America.
For Guatemala, the trade section has been in effect since the 1 December 2013 applied.
The agreement allows for reciprocal tariff preferences.
For German exporters, this means:
Goods may be subject to a lower customs duty upon import into Guatemala if:
- it fulfills the rules of origin
- EU preferential origin
- a valid proof of preference is available
The preferential scheme will continue to be accepted in 2026:
- EUR.1
- Declaration of origin up to 6.000 euros
- corresponding simplified procedures for authorized exporters
This distinguishes Guatemala, for example, from markets that have now been completely converted to REX.
For regular deliveries, it is therefore worthwhile to clearly record the preference status of each item in the merchandise management system.
Which carrier is suitable for Guatemala?
When shipping to Guatemala, the difference between standard and express shipping is significant.
The following should be compared:
- Shipping price
- Runtime
- Customs service
- Weight limits
- maximum package dimensions
- Tracking
- Insurance
- Target region
DHL Parcel currently estimates a delivery time of 20 to 28 working days.
DHL Express Worldwide is significantly faster and indicates a delivery time of approximately two working days for Guatemala. Additional processing time should be allowed for goods subject to customs duties.
For time-critical spare parts or business shipments, a detailed comparison is therefore worthwhile.
Paket International allows companies to compare available carriers and services for their specific shipment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to Guatemala?
Yes. Packages, express shipments, and commercial goods can be sent from Germany to Guatemala. Since Guatemala is outside the European Union, complete customs information is required.
How long does it take for a package to reach Guatemala?
DHL Parcel currently estimates delivery times of 20 to 28 business days. DHL Express Worldwide typically takes approximately two business days for standard delivery. For shipments subject to customs duties, additional time should be allowed for import clearance.
What is the value-added tax (VAT) in Guatemala?
The standard value-added tax rate is 12 percent and is called IVA in Guatemala. This tax generally also applies to taxable imported goods.
What are the customs duties in Guatemala?
For most agricultural and industrial goods, regular import duties range between 0 and 15 percent. Higher rates may apply to certain sensitive products.
Is there a trade agreement between Guatemala and the EU?
Yes. Guatemala participates in the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America. The trade component has applied to Guatemala since December 1, 2013.
Do I need a EUR.1 for Guatemala?
An EUR.1 certificate can be used as proof of preferential origin for goods with corresponding EU preferential origin. It is particularly relevant when claiming the tariff reductions of the EU-Central America agreement.
Can I use a declaration of origin?
Yes. For originating products with a total value of up to €6.000, a declaration of origin with the prescribed wording can generally be used. Further options exist for authorized or duly approved exporters.
What does DUCA mean in Guatemala?
DUCA stands for Declaración Única Centroamericana. It is the common Central American customs declaration and is used, among other things, for imports, exports and customs transit.
What documents do I need for Guatemala?
Typically, a commercial invoice, transport document, and detailed product information are required. Depending on the goods, a packing list, proof of preferential origin, import permit, or product registration may also be necessary.
Do product labels have to be in Spanish?
Yes, for certain regulated products. In particular, food products for the Guatemalan market must generally comply with the applicable Spanish-language labeling regulations. Special requirements also apply to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other health products.
Can I ship DDP to Guatemala?
This depends on the carrier, type of goods, and import situation. Before booking, the importer, customs duty rate, 12% VAT, possible preferential treatment, and any necessary product approvals should be checked.
In which language should I fill out the customs declaration?
DHL lists English and Spanish as accepted languages for Guatemala. English is generally sufficient for international business shipments. Spanish may be required for additional local product documentation.
