Moving to Guatemala from the United States

Guatemala customs (SAT / Intendencia de Aduanas) clears household shipments against a clear paper trail. Missing or inaccurate documents are the single most common cause of delays at the port. Residency category determines whether your shipment clears duty-free.

• Menaje de Casa (household inventory)

  Required for every move

  Signed, Spanish-language inventory of every household item you ship, certified by the Guatemalan consulate serving your U.S. home state. This is the single most important document — without it, Guatemalan customs will deny duty-free treatment.

• Valid passport

  Required for every move

  Every household member crossing the border needs a valid passport. Our destination partner keeps a copy on file to hand to SAT with the rest of the package.

• Residency / work visa (if applicable)

  Required for residents

  Temporary or permanent resident status, work permit, or diplomatic assignment letter determines the duty-free category. Shipments arriving before the visa is issued typically incur 5–15% import duty on the goods' declared value.

• Bill of lading / air waybill

  Required for every move

  The ocean carrier's BOL (or air waybill for air moves) must match the Menaje line-by-line. Mismatches between BOL quantity and Menaje detail are a common reason for hold inspections at the port.

• Declared-value inventory in USD

  Required for every move

  Each line item carries a declared value. Used personal effects are exempt from duty but SAT still uses declared values to size the shipment for warehouse fees and inspection scope.

• Proof of U.S. address + Guatemala destination

  Required for every move

  Recent utility bill or lease for your U.S. origin, plus a matching document (lease, purchase contract, or employer letter) for your Guatemala destination. SAT uses these to match your residency claim to the shipment.

Each destination has its own routing quirks — port pairing, highway hours from the coast, and whether highland or colonial-center access calls for a shuttle on final mile.

• 

  Guatemala City · Guatemala

  Capital metro and the most common destination for professional relocations, embassy moves, and returning-resident households. Most loads discharge at Santo Tomás de Castilla and truck inland.

  Transit

  18–25 days

  2-BR range

  $7,500 – $12,500

  Origin lane: Houston, TX · Port of Houston → Santo Tomás

• 

  Antigua Guatemala · Sacatepéquez

  UNESCO-listed colonial center with tight cobblestone streets. Final-mile delivery almost always requires a shuttle vehicle out of Guatemala City.

  Transit

  19–26 days

  2-BR range

  $7,800 – $13,000

  Origin lane: Houston, TX · Santo Tomás de Castilla

• 

  Quetzaltenango · Quetzaltenango

  Highland hub (Xela) and Guatemala's second-largest city. Serves mountain expat communities in the western highlands.

  Transit

  20–28 days

  2-BR range

  $8,200 – $13,500

  Origin lane: Miami, FL → Santo Tomás + inland

• 

  Puerto Barrios · Izabal

  Caribbean-coast town near Santo Tomás de Castilla — the fastest final-mile from the main container port.

  Transit

  18–24 days

  2-BR range

  $7,300 – $12,000

  Origin lane: Miami, FL · direct to Santo Tomás

Frequently asked questions about moving to Guatemala

Short, answer-first responses to the questions we get most often.

Is moving to Guatemala from the USA duty-free?

Used personal effects are generally exempt from duty under the "menaje de casa" or equivalent settler category — provided you have the corresponding residency status and a properly prepared inventory. New-in-box items, vehicles, alcohol, and firearms are treated separately and usually attract duty.

How long does shipping to Guatemala take?

Ocean transit depends on origin and port pairing. Most East Coast U.S. origins reach Central America in 12–20 days, northern South America in 18–30 days, and the Southern Cone in 28–45 days. Customs clearance typically adds 3–10 business days on top of transit.

Do I need to be present when my shipment clears customs?

No. Our destination partner in Guatemala presents paperwork on your behalf under a signed authorization. You should be reachable by phone in case an officer requests clarification on a specific item.

Can I ship a vehicle to Guatemala with my household goods?

Sometimes — but vehicle import rules vary by country and carry additional documentation, taxes, and age restrictions. We always quote vehicle import separately from household goods and confirm eligibility before booking.

What items are restricted or prohibited?

Firearms and ammunition always require advance declaration and in several countries cannot be imported by private individuals. Fresh produce, plants, seeds, and soil face agricultural restrictions. New-in-box electronics, pharmaceuticals, and bulk quantities of the same item are commonly flagged as commercial goods.

How much does a move to Guatemala typically cost?

Most full-service household moves fall in a wide band: a studio can start around $4,000 from a nearby U.S. port; a 3-BR+ household to the far reaches of South America can exceed $25,000. Distance, port pair, and residency paperwork are the biggest cost drivers.

How far in advance should I book?

Start residency paperwork 8–12 weeks before your target move. Book origin pickup 4–6 weeks out. Peak season is May–August and December — secure a slot earlier if you need those windows.

Which Guatemalan consulate certifies my Menaje?

The consulate serving the state where you currently live. For Florida origins that is typically the Miami or Lake Worth consulate; Houston covers most of Texas; Los Angeles covers California. Book the appointment 4–6 weeks ahead of your sailing date.

Which port does my shipment arrive at?

East Coast U.S. origins (Miami, Houston, New Orleans) sail to Santo Tomás de Castilla on the Caribbean side. West Coast origins (Long Beach/LA) sail to Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific side. Guatemala City is accessible from both within a few road hours.

Do I need a Guatemalan tax ID (NIT)?

Not for a single household shipment under the menaje exemption. A NIT is required if you're importing goods commercially or establishing a business. We handle the import clearance under your passport + visa + menaje package.