Quick summary: Guatemala’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) issues emergency authorizations to individuals or legal entities that occasionally need to import or export petroleum or petroleum products for own consumption. Free (Q0), 1 business day, not for commercial marketing. It’s the right filing for industrial, mining or agro-industrial companies that need fuel or lubricants for internal use.
What the MEM Emergency Authorization Is
It’s the authorization MEM grants to individuals or legal entities that occasionally need to import or export petroleum or petroleum products, only for own consumption and for companies or people whose purpose is NOT marketing them.
Unlike the regular marketing license (which applies to gas stations, wholesalers and distributors), the emergency authorization:
- Is fast (1 business day)
- Is free (Q0)
- Applies only to occasional operations (not recurring)
- Is only for own consumption by the applicant
Typical cases: an industrial company importing diesel for its own generators, a mine importing fuel for its internal fleet, an agro-industrial project that needs a specialized lubricant not available domestically.
- Issued by: Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), General Hydrocarbons Directorate
- Output: Emergency authorization
- Cost: Q0 (free)
- Timeline: 1 business day
Requirements
Per the official catalog at tramites.gob.gt, the applicant must submit legalized legible copies of all documentation. Requirements split by applicant type:
For an individual applicant
- Valid DPI
- Sole proprietorship business permit (if applicable)
- Active SAT taxpayer registration — verify with the CUI/NIT lookup
- Recent proof of address
For a legal entity (company)
- Public deed of incorporation
- Company business permit and trading patent
- Legal representative appointment with registration record
- DPI of the legal representative
- Company NIT
Product and operation documentation (individual and entity)
- Formal application addressed to the General Hydrocarbons Directorate
- Emergency justification — explanation of why the operation cannot go through the regular channel
- Volume and product specs — type of fuel or derivative, quantity, octane or technical characteristics
- Origin or destination of the operation (country, supplier or buyer)
- End use of the product — clear description of own consumption
- Commercial documents — proforma invoice, contract, bill of lading
- Material safety data sheets (MSDS / SDS)
- For imports: preliminary customs authorization from SAT-Customs
- Sanitary or environmental permits if the product requires them
Tip: MEM publishes a PDF guide with the exact file format: 02-Importacion-emergente-de-petroleo-y-productos-petroleros.pdf. Download and review the guide before starting.
Steps to Obtain the Authorization
- Download the official MEM guide and review the exact file format.
- Gather the applicant’s legal documents in legalized legible copy (individual or entity, as applicable).
- Prepare the product and operation documentation — application, justification, specs, end use, commercial documents and safety data sheets.
- Coordinate with SAT-Customs the preliminary customs authorization for the import (export has different customs requirements).
- File the complete package at MEM’s General Hydrocarbons Directorate, in person or via the electronic channel.
- Receive the resolution within 1 business day if the file is complete. Missing documents trigger corrections and partly restart the timeline.
- Run the customs operation using the emergency authorization as supporting documentation at SAT-Customs.
Cost and Time
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| MEM filing fee | Q0 (free) |
| Official timeline | 1 business day |
| Channel | In person + online |
| Output | Emergency authorization |
| Validity | For the authorized operation |
The filing is free at MEM. The real operation costs are independent of MEM and paid elsewhere:
- Customs duties and fees (SAT-Customs) — varies by tariff line
- Fuel taxes (if applicable to the product)
- Customs broker fees
- Notarial acts and legalizations (Q150-Q500 per act)
- Product transport and storage costs
How to Apply
- Visit the official guide: 02-Importacion-emergente-de-petroleo-y-productos-petroleros.pdf
- Download the application format and the requirements list
- Gather legal and commercial documents in legalized copy
- Coordinate the preliminary customs authorization with SAT-Customs if importing
- File the package in person at MEM’s General Hydrocarbons Directorate or via the electronic channel
- Receive the emergency authorization and run the operation
If the operation will repeat or has commercial intent, the right path is not the emergency authorization but the petroleum, petroleum products and gas transport license or the regular marketing license. Consult MEM before choosing the filing.
Related Filings
- Petroleum, petroleum products and gas transport license (MEM)
- Authorization to certify LPG transport units (MEM)
- Authorization to certify combustible transport (MEM)
- SAT — Vehicle import
Official Links
- MEM — Emergency import guide (PDF)
- Service catalog at tramites.gob.gt
- General Hydrocarbons Directorate
- SAT-Customs
Last verified: May 2026. Cost and timeline per the official catalog at tramites.gob.gt (service 1452). MEM may update requirements without prior notice — confirm at the official portal before starting.