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 |
|---|---|
| The breakdown appears here after you press "Calculate Total Cost". | |
* 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 commonly add 35-45% to 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 = declared value + 0% duty + 12% IVA + 20% IPRIMA (a car) + Q5,000-12,000 fees + shipping. The tax alone is 32% of the taxable base; IVA and IPRIMA sit on the same base and do not cascade. 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 car) |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable base | For a USED vehicle, the original invoice from the seller abroad (Decreto 10-2012 art. 113). CIF applies only to NEW vehicles | $15,000 |
| DAI (Customs Duty) | 0% — Guatemala’s tariff on cars and motorcycles is zero | $0 |
| IVA (VAT) | 12% of the base | $1,800 |
| IPRIMA | Rate by vehicle TYPE (art. 114) — 20% for a car — on the same base, not on top of IVA | $3,000 |
| Subtotal taxes | IVA + IPRIMA | $4,800 (32.0% of the base) |
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 car: $15,000 + $4,800 tax + $750-1,540 in fees = total landed cost typically $20,500-21,400 — so plan for a roughly 37-43% markup over your US purchase price, plus shipping if it is not already in that figure. Because both taxes are flat percentages of the base, that markup does not climb with vehicle value; it stays near 32% in tax whatever the car is worth.
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.
Find a Customs BrokerRelated Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to import a car from USA to Guatemala?
Tax on a car is 32% of the taxable base — 0% customs duty (Guatemala’s tariff on cars is zero), 12% IVA and 20% IPRIMA, the last two on the same base and neither charged on top of the other. On top of tax: shipping ($1,200-2,800 for RoRo, $2,500-5,000 for container), Quetzal Bay port handling Q1,500-3,500, customs broker fee Q3,500-6,500, transit registration Q500-1,500, plate emission Q200. A car with a $15,000 declared value typically lands at $20,500-21,400 total, about a 37-43% markup. Use our import calculator for your specific car.
What documents do I need to import a vehicle?
From the US side: clean title (not a salvage/rebuilt title for most cars), bill of sale, your passport copy, and proof of payment. From the Guatemala side: NIT (Guatemalan tax ID), DPI or passport, and a customs broker (gestor aduanero — required by law, can’t DIY). For commercial use additional documents apply. The customs broker handles the actual filing in SAT system.
Can I drive my US car to Guatemala instead of shipping?
Yes — you can drive across through Mexico. The Mexico transit takes 3-5 days. You’ll need: Mexican vehicle import permit ($45 USD + $400 deposit refunded on exit), Mexican auto insurance, your title + registration. At Guatemala border (El Carmen, La Mesilla, or Tecún Umán) the same import process applies — except your car arrives by road instead of ship. Driving saves $1,200-2,800 in shipping but adds gas + fatigue + Mexico-Guatemala border friction. Most Guatemalans recommend shipping unless you specifically want to road-trip.
Which port do most US-to-Guatemala vehicles arrive through?
Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific coast handles 90%+ of inbound vehicle imports from the US (vessels typically depart from Houston, New Orleans, or Jacksonville). Puerto Barrios on the Atlantic coast handles cars coming from Florida or Caribbean shippers. Pacific is more common because most US shipping companies have established Pacific routes. See our ports guide for both.
What cars are best to import to Guatemala?
Toyota and Honda dominate Guatemalan resale market — Tacomas, Hilux pickups, RAV4, CR-V, Civic, Corolla. These hold value, parts are cheap, mechanics know them. Avoid: anything turbocharged or with complex emissions equipment (parts hard to source), large American SUVs (gas costly, parking impossible in Antigua/colonial cities), older European luxury (Mercedes, BMW — repair costs brutal). EVs and hybrids are growing but charging infrastructure limited outside Guatemala City. See best cars to import for full breakdown.
How long does the whole import process take?
Realistic timeline: shipping 12-18 days (US Pacific port to Puerto Quetzal), customs clearance 5-15 business days (varies with broker efficiency + documentation completeness), transit + plate registration 2-5 days. Total: 3-5 weeks from US departure to driving on Guatemalan plates. Add 1-2 weeks if any documentation issues. Don’t ship a car before having a NIT and broker lined up.
Are salvage / rebuilt-title vehicles importable?
Technically yes, but not recommended. Guatemalan customs treats salvage titles as suspect — clearance takes longer, often requires additional inspections, and resale value drops 30-50% vs clean-title equivalents. Many Guatemalan customs brokers refuse to handle salvage titles entirely. If you’re getting a deal that involves a salvage title, the savings often disappear in clearance friction + resale loss. Stick to clean titles.