This guide covers two of the seaports with SAT customs offices where imported vehicles can arrive: Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific and Santo Tomás de Castilla on the Atlantic. Your shipping line decides which one your car lands at, so ask before you ship. Here’s what the official sources say about both ports, including customs offices, storage rules and what to expect when you pick up your vehicle.

Quick summary: Puerto Quetzal (Pacific coast, Escuintla) is the closer of the two to Guatemala City: its customs office is at kilometre 111 of the CA-9 Sur. Santo Tomas de Castilla (Atlantic coast, Izabal) has its customs office at kilometre 298 of the CA-9 norte, and its current tariff gives 10 free storage days, then US$7.00 a day (listed as 7.000) per vehicle before IVA.

Port Comparison

FeaturePuerto QuetzalSanto Tomas de Castilla
LocationEscuintla, Pacific coastIzabal, Atlantic coast
Customs address (SAT)Kilometre 111, CA-9 Sur, San José municipality, EscuintlaInside the port, at kilometre 298 of the CA-9 norte, Puerto Barrios municipality, Izabal
Routes from the USDepends on your shipping line; ask itDepends on your shipping line; ask it
VolumeNo verified per-port figureNo verified per-port figure
Customs officeOn-site SAT/AduanaOn-site SAT/Aduana
Storage chargesAsk your broker for the terminal’s tariff10 free days, then US$7.00 a day (listed as 7.000) per vehicle before IVA (tariff updated 11-08-2025)
Customs hoursOperational areas: Monday to Sunday, 8:00-22:00; collections (Recaudación y Gestión): Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00, Sat 08:00-12:00Operational areas: Monday to Sunday, 08:00-20:00 and 20:00-08:00; administrative areas: Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00

Customs addresses and hours: SAT’s customs locations and hours page, read 1 October 2026. Santo Tomás storage: the port’s tariff of port services, updated 11-08-2025 and read 10 October 2026 (values in US dollars, before IVA).

Puerto Quetzal (Primary)

Location & Access

  • Customs address: Kilometre 111 of the Carretera Centroamericana CA-9 Sur, Puerto Quetzal, San José municipality, Escuintla (SAT)
  • From Guatemala City: Take the CA-9 Sur (Pacific Highway)
  • From Antigua: via Escuintla

What to Expect

Day of arrival (your broker handles this):

  1. Ship docks and vehicles are offloaded
  2. Port authority logs the vehicle and assigns a storage slot
  3. Your customs broker is notified

Customs clearance (your broker handles this): 4. Broker files DUCA with SAT customs office at the port 5. SAT inspects the vehicle (VIN verification, condition check, document review) 6. SAT calculates duties and taxes 7. You (or broker) pays at authorized bank 8. SAT issues release order

Pickup day (you or your representative): 9. Present release order and ID at the port gate 10. Follow the port staff’s directions to the vehicle 11. Inspect the vehicle for any shipping damage 12. Drive it out

Costs at Puerto Quetzal

ItemCost
Port handling/unloadingAsk your broker for a written quote
StorageAsk your broker for the terminal’s tariff
Gate exit feeAsk your broker for a written quote
Fumigation (if required)Ask your broker for a written quote

Tips for Puerto Quetzal

  • Check customs hours — the Aduana Puerto Quetzal collections area (Recaudación y Gestión) works Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00 and Saturday 08:00-12:00 (SAT)
  • Bring your DPI/passport to show at the port gate
  • Check the vehicle thoroughly before driving out — once you leave, damage claims are harder
  • Bring cash for fuel and any charges on the road

Santo Tomas de Castilla (Secondary)

Location & Access

  • Customs address: inside the port of Santo Tomás de Castilla, on the main street to the dock, at kilometre 298 of the CA-9 norte, Puerto Barrios municipality, Izabal (SAT)
  • From Guatemala City: Take the CA-9 norte (Atlantic Highway)

When to Use Santo Tomas

  • Your shipping line’s service calls at Santo Tomás de Castilla rather than Puerto Quetzal; ask the line before you book

Tips for Santo Tomas

  • Plan the trip from Guatemala City — the customs office sits at kilometre 298 of the CA-9 norte, so check the office hours before you set out
  • Verify your broker has Santo Tomas experience
  • Watch the free days — the port’s tariff gives 10 free storage days before the charge of US$7.00 a day (listed as 7.000) per vehicle starts

Storage Fees: Why Speed Matters

Port storage is the hidden cost that catches people off guard. The legal clock is fixed: under RECAUCA Article 283, goods may stay in temporary storage for at most twenty days from the end of unloading, and if by then they have not been assigned to a customs regime they are considered abandoned (RECAUCA text published by SAT). At Santo Tomás de Castilla, the port’s current tariff gives 10 free days of cargo storage and then charges US$7.00 a day (listed as 7.000) per vehicle, before IVA (updated 11-08-2025). For Puerto Quetzal, ask your broker for the terminal’s rates before the ship arrives.

If a document is missing, such as the original title, the car stays in the port while storage accrues.

How to avoid storage fees:

  • Have ALL documents ready before the ship arrives
  • Hire your broker before shipping so they can prepare the DUCA
  • Wire customs duty funds before arrival
  • Respond immediately to your broker’s messages

What to Bring on Pickup Day

  • Valid ID (DPI or passport)
  • SAT release order (your broker provides this)
  • Insurance proof (get Guatemala vehicle insurance before pickup)
  • Cash for tolls and gas
  • Spare key (if you shipped two)
  • Phone charger (you’ll be in touch with your broker)
  • A basic tool kit (in case battery is dead from sitting)

After Pickup: Next Steps

  1. Drive to Guatemala City (or your destination)
  2. Complete vehicle registration with SAT
  3. Get plates and circulation card
  4. Get a vehicle inspection if required
  5. Purchase Guatemala vehicle insurance
  6. Get your driver’s license if you don’t have one

Sources