Import a Vehicle from USA to Guatemala
Cost calculator, shipping companies, customs process, and broker directory — everything in one place.
Total Landed Cost Calculator
Enter your vehicle details to calculate the total import cost
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|
* Estimate based on rates as of March 2026. SAT uses its own valuation tables which may differ. Consult a customs broker for exact figures.
Process Guides
Step-by-Step Process
Complete guide: documents, customs, registration. The entire process start to finish.
Shipping Companies
RoRo vs container, ports, transit times, and costs compared.
Best Cars to Import
Popular makes, resale value, what to avoid, and what sells well in Guatemala.
Customs Brokers
How to choose a customs broker, what they charge, and what to expect.
Guatemala Ports Guide
Puerto Quetzal vs Santo Tomas: location, costs, hours, and what to expect on pickup day.
EV & Hybrid Benefits
Decreto 40-2022: 0% DAI, 0% IVA for EVs. Save thousands of dollars.
Copart & IAAI Auctions
How to buy at US auctions: registration, bidding, fees, title types, and how to avoid scams.
The Process in 4 Phases
Preparation in the US
Get original title, choose shipping company, hire customs broker in Guatemala.
Ocean Shipping
Deliver vehicle to port, export documentation, marine insurance.
Customs Clearance
Inspection, tax calculation, pay DAI + IVA, vehicle release.
Registration & Plates
Register with SAT, get plates, circulation card, and insurance.
Every year, thousands of vehicles make the journey from the United States to Guatemala. Whether you’re sending a car to family back home, relocating with your vehicle, or buying a US-spec car for better price and selection — the process involves shipping, customs, taxes, and registration that can cost 40-70% of the vehicle’s value if you’re not prepared.
This hub brings together everything you need in one place: calculate your total landed cost, compare shipping options, understand the customs process, choose the right car for Guatemalan conditions, and connect with licensed customs brokers who handle this every day.
Quick reference: Total landed cost = CIF value + 20% DAI + 12% IVA + Q5,000-12,000 fees. Realistic timeline: 3-5 weeks from US departure to Guatemalan plates. Required: NIT (tax ID) + customs broker (can’t DIY). Most popular ports: Puerto Quetzal (Pacific, 90% of imports).
Cost calculator and breakdowns
- Vehicle Import Cost Calculator — input vehicle price + destination + options, get total landed cost
- Best Cars to Import — Toyota Tacoma + Hilux, Honda CR-V + Civic, RAV4 dominate. Why some cars work and others don’t.
- EV / Hybrid Import Benefits — current incentives + charging infrastructure reality
How to ship + clear customs
- Shipping Companies — RoRo vs container, US Pacific vs Atlantic departures, current rates
- Customs Brokers Directory — licensed gestores aduaneros, what they cost (Q3,500-6,500 typical), how to verify
- Ports Guide — Puerto Quetzal (Pacific) vs Puerto Barrios (Atlantic): which ships go where, port handling fees
- US Auto Auctions — Copart, IAA, dealer auctions: what to know before bidding for export
The 3 cost components broken down
1. Shipping costs (USA → Guatemala)
| Method | Typical cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) | $1,200-2,800 | 12-18 days | Cheaper, more common, vehicle drives on/off |
| Container (20-ft) | $2,500-5,000 | 14-22 days | More secure, can include personal items, harder to find |
| Driving through Mexico | $0 shipping (gas + Mexico permit ~$500) | 5-7 days | Saves shipping but tires you out + Mexico border friction |
2. Customs duties + taxes (Guatemala side)
| Item | Calculation | Example ($15,000 CIF car) |
|---|---|---|
| CIF value | Cost + Insurance + Freight | $15,000 |
| DAI (Customs Duty) | 20% of CIF | $3,000 |
| IVA (VAT) | 12% of (CIF + DAI) | $2,160 |
| Subtotal taxes | DAI + IVA | $5,160 (34.4% of CIF) |
3. Port + broker + registration fees
| Fee | Typical cost (Q) | USD equiv |
|---|---|---|
| Port handling (Puerto Quetzal) | Q1,500-3,500 | $200-460 |
| Customs broker fee (gestor) | Q3,500-6,500 | $460-855 |
| Transit registration | Q500-1,500 | $65-200 |
| Plate emission | Q200 | $26 |
| Subtotal misc | Q5,700-11,700 | $750-1,540 |
Bottom line on a $15,000 CIF car: total landed cost typically $21,000-22,000 — so plan for a 40-50% markup over your US purchase price. Higher-value cars push toward 60-70% markup as taxes scale.
Things people get wrong
- No NIT before shipping — you NEED a Guatemalan tax ID before customs clearance. Get this BEFORE the car arrives or it sits at port accruing storage fees.
- DIY customs clearance — illegal in Guatemala. You MUST use a licensed customs broker (gestor aduanero). Skipping this isn’t an option.
- Salvage / rebuilt titles — Guatemalan customs flags these for additional scrutiny. Many brokers refuse to handle them. Resale value drops 30-50%.
- Wrong car choice — luxury German cars, modern turbocharged engines, large American SUVs, anything with rare emissions equipment all create maintenance/parts headaches in Guatemala. Stick to Toyota + Honda for best ownership experience.
- Underestimating timeline — assume 3-5 weeks total, plan flights and rental car bridges accordingly.
- Forgetting EV/hybrid charging context — Guatemala City has growing EV infrastructure. Antigua, Quetzaltenango: limited. Smaller towns: nonexistent. Verify your route works for an EV before importing.
Diaspora context
Most US-to-Guatemala vehicle imports are diaspora sending cars to family — usually a parent’s pickup truck or a sibling’s used SUV. Common pattern:
- Family in Guatemala chooses the model they want (Toyota Tacoma, Honda CR-V, etc.)
- You buy used in the US through Carmax, Carvana, dealer, or auction
- You arrange shipping (or drive it down + Mexico transit)
- Family in Guatemala has the NIT + customs broker lined up before the car arrives
- They register and pay duties while you fly back
Total time investment for the US-side person: typically 1-2 weekends of car-buying + 1 day for shipping arrangements. Family handles everything in Guatemala.
For non-family relocations (you’re moving yourself), do all of the above PLUS your residency paperwork. The car import doesn’t require residency, but landing without one creates other friction.
Related
- Moving from USA to Guatemala — full relocation guide including pets, household goods
- Customs Brokers Directory — verified gestor list
- SAT Vehicle Import Tramite — government procedure details
- Driving in Guatemala — what to know once you have plates
- Live Exchange Rate — convert quetzales for fee planning
Need Help With Your Import?
Connect with verified customs brokers who handle vehicle imports every day.
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