Shipping to Guatemala: Your Complete Guide
Whether you are sending care packages to family, ordering from Amazon, or relocating your household, there are several ways to ship to Guatemala – each with different price points, speed, and reliability trade-offs.
When to Use Each Shipping Method
International couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) are best for urgent documents, high-value items, or time-sensitive shipments. They offer end-to-end tracking and customs brokerage but cost significantly more per kilogram. Use these when speed matters more than cost.
USPS Priority Mail International sits in the middle – cheaper than express couriers but slower. The flat rate boxes are a good deal for dense, heavy items that fit in a small box. Be aware that tracking becomes unreliable once the package enters Guatemala’s postal system.
Guatemala cargo services (King Express, Guatex, Trans Express) are the go-to for Guatemalans in the US sending packages home. They charge per pound, offer door-to-door service from major US cities, and handle customs clearance. This is what the majority of the diaspora community uses for regular shipments.
Sea cargo is the only practical option for large moves – furniture, vehicles, or multiple boxes of household goods. It takes 30-45 days but costs a fraction of air shipping per volume. You will need a customs broker (agente aduanal) for container shipments.
Understanding Customs Duties
Guatemala charges 12% IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) on most imported goods. Some product categories carry an additional import duty (DAI) of 5-20%. The good news: books, personal medicine, and educational materials are fully exempt. Electronics typically pay only the 12% IVA with no additional duty.
Courier services like CPX Express and Aeropost handle customs declarations for you and collect any taxes due at pickup. For direct shipments via DHL or FedEx, the courier includes customs brokerage and bills you for any duties.
Tips for the Guatemalan Diaspora
If you regularly send packages from the US, set up a Miami PO box courier account (CPX Express, Aeropost, or Guatebox). Ship your Amazon orders to the Miami address and they forward everything to Guatemala at $3-5 per pound. This is far cheaper than shipping directly and is the standard system used by millions of Guatemalan families.
Check today’s exchange rates to understand the real cost in quetzales, and see our cost of living data for context on how shipping costs compare to local prices.