The petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas transport license is the mandatory commercial authorization issued by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) to companies that move fuels and natural gas in Guatemala. Without this license, no tanker, pipeline or vessel can legally operate with hydrocarbons in Guatemala — the legal basis is the Hydrocarbon Marketing Law (Decree 109-97).
Quick summary: Mandatory MEM-DGH license for transporting crude oil, gasoline, diesel, bulk LPG, natural gas and derivatives. Validity 5 years. Variable cost (Q15,000-Q60,000+ first year). Requires a parallel MARN environmental license. Not an online procedure — physical file at the DGH office in zone 12.
Who Needs This License
This license is mandatory for:
- Third-party transporters — companies whose primary business is providing fuel transport services to refineries, wholesalers, service stations or industry.
- Own fleets of fuel marketers — wholesale distributors, importers and station operators that move product between depots, terminals and points of sale.
- Pipeline and polyduct operators — pipeline transport of crude, refined products or natural gas.
- Vessels and rail — maritime/lake or rail modalities carrying hydrocarbons.
Audience: This is a B2B procedure aimed at hydrocarbon-sector companies, not retail consumers. If you are buying fuel for your vehicle or LPG cylinders for your home, you do not need this license.
Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Formal application | Addressed to the Director General of Hydrocarbons, signed by the legal representative |
| Commercial registration | Company registered in the Mercantile Registry with corporate purpose covering hydrocarbon transport |
| Active NIT | Tax ID in good standing with no SAT arrears |
| Tax solvency certificate | Solvencia fiscal issued by SAT (30-day validity) |
| Technical certification | Technical specifications of the transport medium (tankers, pipeline, vessel) signed by a licensed engineer |
| Vehicle inventory | List of tankers/vehicles with plates, year, gallon capacity and calibration certificates |
| Insurance policies | Mandatory civil liability coverage at minimum amounts defined by DGH per product and capacity |
| Safety and emergency plan | Protocols for handling, spills, fire, first aid and authorized routes |
| MARN environmental license | Category B1 or A environmental license per the Environmental Management Directorate |
| Driver licenses | Type C-Primera or A driver license plus hazardous-materials handling course |
| Notarized title or lease | For transport units and intermediate storage premises |
Steps
- Pre-meeting with DGH. Before filing the package, request a technical meeting with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons to validate the project scope and the specific list of requirements for your case (tanker vs pipeline, bulk vs packaged).
- Legal incorporation and base registrations. Confirm the company is registered in the Mercantile Registry with hydrocarbon-transport purpose, has an active NIT and tax solvency. If the company is new, complete company incorporation first.
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Hire a MARN-registered environmental consultant to prepare the EIA. Process the Category B1 or A environmental license in parallel — without it, MEM will not approve.
- Technical inspection of units. Calibrate tankers with an accredited entity (DIPROEC or equivalent). Each unit needs an ID plate, grounding system, safety valves and UN signage for hazardous materials.
- Insurance policies. Contract civil liability insurance with a Superintendency-of-Banks-authorized insurer. Minimum coverage varies by product — gasoline/diesel typically requires US$500,000 to US$5 million in coverage.
- Driver training. Each driver needs a current C-Primera or A license and a certificate from a hazardous-materials transport course (endorsed by MEM or a recognized entity).
- File submission. Submit the complete package at the DGH front desk (24 Calle 21-12 zone 12, Guatemala City). A case number is assigned and technical review begins.
- DGH resolution and license issuance. If the package complies, DGH issues a favorable resolution and the license is delivered upon payment of the administrative fee. The license is published on the MEM portal.
Cost & Time
- Cost: Variable. MEM administrative fee + inspections + insurance + EIA + environmental license + calibrations. Budget Q15,000 to Q60,000+ for the first year (excluding tanker fleet or pipeline infrastructure capex). Larger volumes and multi-department routes increase the total.
- Time: 30-90 business days from a complete file. If technical corrections are requested or the MARN EIA delays, it can stretch to 4-6 months.
- Validity: 5 years, renewable. Start the renewal at least 90 days before expiration.
How to Apply
The procedure is not online. The entire process is in person at the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons:
Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) — MEM 24 Calle 21-12, zone 12, Guatemala City Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-16:30 Phone: (502) 2419-1717 Service portal: tramites.gob.gt/servicio/1444/
Tip: For companies entering the sector, hiring a hydrocarbons-specialized expediter (an attorney or consultant experienced with MEM) significantly speeds up the process and avoids repeated observations.
When It Is Mandatory (Common Scenarios)
- New tanker added to the fleet. Any new tanker entering the fleet must be added to the license (file modification).
- Change in corporate name. If the company changes name or ownership, the license must be updated — it is not automatically transferable.
- Adding new products. If your license is for diesel and you want to transport gasoline or bulk LPG, prior amplification is required.
- New route or terminal. Changes in inter-department transport routes or new offloading terminals must be notified to DGH.
Penalties for Operating Without a License
The Hydrocarbon Marketing Law (Decree 109-97) and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons impose severe penalties:
- Administrative fines from Q10,000 to Q500,000+ per event
- Seizure of product and transport unit by the National Civil Police in joint operations with MEM
- Permanent suspension of operations for repeat offenders
- Criminal liability if irregular transport causes spills, fires or environmental damage
Renewal
The license renews in 5-year cycles. Begin the process at least 90 days before expiration. If the license expires without renewal, units are immediately disabled until a new resolution is issued. See Hydrocarbon Transport License Renewal for full detail.
Related Procedures
- Hydrocarbon transport license renewal
- Authorization to certify fuel transport
- Authorization to certify LPG cylinder transport
- MARN Environmental License
- Register a company in the Mercantile Registry
- Type C-Primera driver license (MAYCOM)