Shipping your vehicle from the United States to Guatemala is the most critical step — and where most people overpay or make costly mistakes. This guide compares your options: RoRo vs container, departure ports, transit times, and what to look for in a shipping company.

Quick summary: RoRo from Miami is the cheapest and fastest option ($1,050-$2,800, 10-15 days). Container shipping costs $1,000-$2,000 more but protects the vehicle completely. Always get 3+ quotes and verify the company ships to Guatemala regularly.

RoRo vs Container Shipping

Feature RoRo (Roll-On/Roll-Off) Container
How it works Car driven onto ship deck Car loaded into 20ft/40ft container
Protection Exposed to sea spray, secured on deck Fully enclosed, weather-proof
Cost $1,050 - $3,900 $2,500 - $5,200
Best for Standard cars, trucks, SUVs Luxury vehicles, classics, motorcycles
Can ship items inside? No (customs will inspect) Sometimes (check with shipper)
Availability Weekly sailings from major ports Less frequent, may wait for consolidation
Damage risk Low but possible (salt spray, minor dings) Very low

Recommendation: RoRo for 90% of imports. Container only for vehicles worth $40K+ or if you need maximum protection.

Shipping Costs by Port

Departure Port RoRo Cost Container Cost Transit Time Notes
Miami/Jacksonville, FL $1,050 - $2,800 $2,500 - $3,500 10-15 days Most common, cheapest, most frequent sailings
Houston, TX $1,200 - $2,500 $2,700 - $3,800 12-18 days Good for Texas, Midwest sellers
Los Angeles, CA $2,000 - $3,900 $3,500 - $5,000 19-25 days Longer transit, higher cost
New York/New Jersey $2,500 - $3,500 $3,800 - $5,200 20-38 days Longest, most expensive

Price drivers: Vehicle size (SUVs/trucks cost more), season (Dec-Feb is peak), fuel surcharges, and whether the route is direct or has transshipment stops.

Arrival Ports in Guatemala

Port Location Drive to Guatemala City Best For
Puerto Quetzal Pacific coast, Escuintla dept. ~2 hours Most US imports (Miami, Houston routes)
Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla Atlantic coast, Izabal dept. ~5 hours Some East Coast shipments

90%+ of vehicle imports arrive at Puerto Quetzal because it’s closer to Guatemala City, where most customs processing happens and most buyers live.

How to Choose a Shipping Company

Must-Haves

  • Regular Guatemala service — companies that ship to Guatemala weekly know the customs requirements
  • Door-to-port and port-to-port options — door service picks up from your location
  • Licensed and bonded — verify FMC (Federal Maritime Commission) license for ocean freight
  • Insurance options — marine cargo insurance (1.5-2% of vehicle value)
  • Bill of lading — proper documentation for Guatemala customs
  • Guatemalan community presence — many reliable shippers are Guatemalan-owned and staffed

Red Flags

  • No physical office or only a PO box
  • Prices significantly below market (may add fees later)
  • No FMC license
  • Cannot provide references from Guatemala imports
  • Demands full payment upfront with no escrow option

What to Expect: Timeline

Phase Duration What Happens
Vehicle pickup/delivery to port 1-5 days Drive to port or arrange inland transport
Port processing (US side) 1-3 days Export docs, customs clearance, loading
Ocean transit 10-38 days Depends on departure port (see table above)
Guatemala port arrival 1-2 days Unloading, port storage begins
Customs clearance 5-10 days Your customs broker handles this
Total ~4-6 weeks From drop-off to driving in Guatemala

Documents the Shipper Needs

  • Original vehicle title (clean, in your name)
  • Copy of your ID (passport or DPI)
  • Vehicle photos (all sides, odometer, VIN plate — for condition documentation)
  • Bill of sale or purchase receipt
  • Keys (2 sets if possible)
  • Power of attorney if someone else is handling the shipment

Tips

  • Get at least 3 quotes — prices vary significantly between companies and seasons
  • Miami is king — if you can get the car to Florida, you’ll save money and time
  • Book 2-3 weeks before your target ship date — especially during peak season (November-February)
  • Remove all personal items from the vehicle before shipping — Guatemala customs will inspect and may seize undeclared items
  • Take detailed photos before handing over the vehicle — document any existing damage for insurance claims
  • Remove toll transponders, garage openers, and GPS trackers — you don’t need them and they can cause confusion at customs
  • Gas tank should be under 1/4 full — required by most RoRo shippers for safety
  • Disable alarm systems — cars that alarm on the ship deck cause problems
  • Get marine insurance — it’s cheap (1.5-2%) relative to the risk. Your US auto insurance does NOT cover ocean transport
  • Hire your customs broker BEFORE shipping — they need time to prepare documentation