- Form DTMCC 03 for export request
- Documents proving the applicant's standing
- Detailed list of cultural goods to export/import
- Logistics plan (place, dates, supervisors, insurance, transport)
The movable goods certificate for export and import requests is the document issued by the Ministry of Culture and Sports (MCD) through the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Centers, certifying that movable goods to be exported or imported do not constitute part of the cultural heritage of the nation. It is a technically complex procedure, especially when it involves loans for international exhibitions of items in MCD custody.
Quick summary: The procedure is free (Q0), the official time is 175 days, the result is a notification / certificate, and the channel is online to download the form + physical filing of the file at the General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage in Guatemala City. Legal basis: Decreto 26-97 (Cultural Heritage Protection Law) and its Regulations.
What Is the Certificate and When Does It Apply?
The General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage (DGPCN) of the MCD safeguards Guatemala’s cultural heritage. When a person, museum, gallery or institution requests to export movable goods (for a temporary exhibition, loan, transfer, international inheritance, move or transaction), the MCD must certify through this document that the goods:
- Are not cultural heritage of the nation (in which case they may leave the country freely), or
- Are cultural heritage, and the temporary export complies with all conditions of security, custody and return
The DTMCC 03 Form (Application for export of cultural goods in custody of the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Centers) is the official format to begin the procedure.
Typical cases
- International exhibitions of pieces held by MCD museums
- Loans between foreign museums and Guatemalan museums
- International moves that include antiques, religious art, pre-Columbian art or colonial furniture
- Auctions and fairs abroad with pieces requiring certification
- Imports of works or goods with cultural value
Requirements
Official list of documents to accompany the application (summarized from the tramites.gob.gt listing):
About the applicant and institution
- Documents proving the standing of the person or representative of the institution interested in the loan of cultural goods to be included in the show
- DPI or passport of the applicant; documented legal representation if applicable
About the activity or exhibition
- Title and general description of the activity: title of the exhibition, brief project information and justification
- Duration of the activity: opening and closing dates, public visiting hours
- Country, department, state or province where the show will be assembled; if itinerant, a detailed list of the venues
About the venue and security
- Institution, type of building, type of display cases, planned security measures (per piece and for the venue)
- Lighting, environmental conditions of the building (humidity, temperature, ventilation)
- Plan of the exhibit area
About the goods
- Listing of the cultural goods being requested on loan for export (description, author, period, dimensions, estimated value, photographs)
- ID and qualifications of the supervisor designated by the exhibitor or organizer to ensure security of the objects
About logistics costs
- Expense plan for transport, per diem, lodging and meals for the supervisors appointed by the MCD to ensure security of the objects
- These supervisors accompany the goods from the city or origin site to the destination
Additional documentation
- Specialized insurance for the goods during transfer
- Professional packaging (art crates, climate-controlled if applicable)
- Customs export / import permits from the SAT
- Guarantee letter from the destination institution
Steps
Per the official procedure published:
- Enter the MCD portal in the Procedures and Services section and select Application for export of cultural goods in custody of the Directorate of Museums and Cultural Centers.
- Download and complete the DTMCC 03 Form.
- Comply with the documentation requirements requested in the form (Requirements section above).
- File the complete file at the offices of the General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage — Technical Directorate of Museums and Cultural Centers (6a Calle y 6a Avenida zona 1, Guatemala City).
- Technical review by specialized MCD staff: validating venue information, supervisors, insurance and expense plan.
- Physical inspection and cataloging of the pieces (when goods are in MCD custody).
- Resolution and issuance of the signed and sealed notification / certificate.
- Coordination of the transfer with MCD-appointed supervisors.
Cost and Time
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Procedure cost (MCD) | Free (Q0) |
| Logistics costs | Variable (transport, supervisors, insurance, packaging) |
| Official time | 175 days |
| Realistic time | 6 to 9 months for complex cases |
| Result | Notification / Certificate |
| Validity | For the authorized operation |
Although the procedure is free, the associated costs can be substantial: per diems for official supervisors, international insurance, specialized transport, climate-controlled packaging, anti-vibration blankets, etc. These costs are borne by the applicant or organizing institution.
How to Apply
The procedure is filed at the General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage — Technical Directorate of Museums and Cultural Centers of the MCD.
Official site: mcd.gob.gt — Procedures and Services
Physical address: 6a Calle y 6a Avenida, Zona 1, Guatemala City (MCD HQ).
Recommendation: For international exhibitions, start the procedure at least 9 to 12 months before the opening date. Coordinate from the start with the destination institution’s curatorial team so that the security plan, packaging and supervision align with MCD’s requirements. If your case is an international move, consult first with the MCD to confirm whether your situation actually needs this certificate or a different procedure.
Related Procedures
- Register a company (needed for galleries and auction houses)
- Unified Tax Registry (RTU at SAT)
- CUI / NIT lookup at SAT
- Import Calculator (estimate associated customs costs)
- Get a DPI
Tips
- Long-term plan. With 175 official days, this is one of the longest MCD procedures. Begin many months in advance.
- Multidisciplinary team. Large exhibitions need curators, museographers, conservators, lawyers and logistics companies. Coordinating all of this from day one accelerates the documentation.
- Professional photographs. Each piece needs high-resolution photographs for the inventory.
- Adequate insurance. The MCD will review the policies. Make sure coverage (nail-to-nail, transport, exhibition, handling) matches the declared value.
- Plan B. If time is tight, evaluate whether the piece can be substituted with another of similar profile already authorized.
- Direct consultation. The MCD can advise on similar pieces already processed. Take advantage of the guidance.
- Coordination with SAT (customs). The MCD permit complements the corresponding customs declaration.