Quick Answer: International moving from the USA to Guatemala with AB Group Shipping costs from $2,472 for about 13 m³ of boxes and furniture consolidated from Miami, 14 days in transit (September 2026 quote). A 2-bedroom move in a 20 ft container from Houston is $2,650, 6 days. Prices are port to port and exclude import taxes and destination charges.
- Transit time: 4 days via ocean from Miami (Port Everglades), 6 days from Houston
- Cost: from $2,650 (Houston) or $3,474 (Miami) for a 20' container and $2,750 or $3,812 for a 40' HC, September 2026 rates
- Key documentation: your passport, a detailed inventory with estimated values and the bill of lading; ask a licensed customs agent what else your case needs, such as a tax ID (NIT)
- Arrival port: Santo Tomás de Castilla (Caribbean coast) for containers from Miami and Houston; consolidated LCL cargo goes to Guatemala City
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Go to the calculator →Reference prices: moving from the USA to Guatemala
| Port | Boxes | 2-bed | 3+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MiamiPort Everglades | $2,472 | $3,474 | $3,812 |
| HoustonCheapest | ≈ $2,472 | $2,650 | $2,750 |
| New JerseyNew York | ≈ $2,472 | $3,610 | $3,940 |
| Los Angelesleaves from Miami | $2,472 | $2,650 | $2,750 |
Port to port to Guatemala City or Santo Tomas de Castilla, in USD, quoted with our system on September 28, 2026. Includes freight and US export charges; excludes import taxes and destination charges. Boxes: consolidated, ≈13 m³. 2-bed: 20 ft container. 3+ bed: 40 ft HC container. The calculator on this page gives your exact price, with pickup and delivery. ≈ Approximate price: what our system quotes leaving from another port, or the median of the other ports for that shipment.
Shipping from another state? Which port to read
Each port in the table is the one that cargo from these states usually leaves through. Miami: Florida. Houston: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. New Jersey: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and West Virginia. California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii ship through Los Angeles / Long Beach; Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama ship through Savannah; Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota ship through Chicago (rail); Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska ship through Seattle / Tacoma: those ports are not in the table yet. We pick up in every state, and the calculator finds the best port from your city.
How Much Does an International Move to Guatemala Cost?
A complete move to Guatemala costs $3,474 from Miami (leaving from Port Everglades) for a 20' container and $3,812 for a 40' HC in September 2026, or $2,650 and $2,750 from Houston. The price covers ocean freight to Santo Tomás de Castilla, before import taxes and destination charges.
Costs for moves to Guatemala vary significantly based on volume, included services, and time of year. Containers from Miami sail from Port Everglades to Santo Tomás de Castilla, on Guatemala's Caribbean coast.20' Container (33 m³)
- $3,474 from Miami, $2,650 from Houston (September 2026, port to port)
- Ideal for 1-2 bedroom apartment
- Capacity: 1,172 cubic feet
- Maximum payload: varies by container (e.g. 28,130 kg on a Hapag-Lloyd 20' standard)
40' Container (67 m³)
- $3,812 from Miami, $2,750 from Houston (40' HC, September 2026, port to port)
- Perfect for 3-4 bedroom house
- Capacity: 2,390 cubic feet
- Maximum payload: varies by container (e.g. 28,750 kg on a Hapag-Lloyd 40' standard)
For small moves under 10 cubic meters, the LCL (consolidated cargo) option offers economic flexibility with a 2 CBM minimum.
| Option | Approximate Volume | Estimated Cost | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL (consolidated cargo) | Up to 15 m³, charged by volume | Approx. $215.60 per m³; about 13 m³ is $2,472 from Miami (September 2026) | 1-2 bedroom apartment or partial move |
| 20' Container | 33 m³ | From $2,650 (Houston); $3,474 from Miami (September 2026) | 2-3 bedroom house |
| 40' Container | 67 m³ | $2,750 (Houston); $3,812 from Miami (40' HC, September 2026) | 4+ bedroom house or move with vehicle |
The container prices are ocean freight to Santo Tomás de Castilla and the LCL price is consolidated cargo to Guatemala City, all before import taxes and destination charges. Transit is 4 days from Miami and 6 days from Houston by full container, and 14 days by LCL. Pickup at your origin city in the United States is quoted separately based on distance to Miami or Port Everglades.
Documentation Required for Moves to Guatemala
For a move to Guatemala you need your passport, a detailed inventory in Spanish with estimated values, and the bill of lading; ask your customs agent whether you also need a Guatemalan tax ID (NIT). A licensed Guatemalan customs agent files the declaration with SAT. SAT's guidance (July 2025) does not ask for a consular certificate or any U.S. customs form.
Correct documentation is critical to avoid delays and additional costs in customs clearance. Household goods are declared on a detailed list of the goods (Central American customs regulation, RECAUCA, articles 584 to 586); used items need no commercial invoice.- Passport: Copy of every page, with entry stamps; customs compares it with the original
- NIT (tax ID): Ask your customs agent whether you need one and how the consignee should appear on the bill of lading
- Detailed inventory: List in Spanish with quantities and estimated values per item
- Bill of lading: Original, in the owner's name
- Customs agent: A licensed Guatemalan agent transmits the declaration to SAT
Common Mistake
Many people ship before checking their documents with the destination customs agent. Ask a licensed Guatemalan customs agent whether you need a NIT and exactly how the consignee should appear on the bill of lading before the cargo leaves.
Household Goods to Guatemala: What It Is and How to Declare It
In Guatemala, customs (SAT) uses the term menaje de casa (household goods) for the furniture, appliances, clothing, dishes, and other household items a person brings to set up their home in the country. It is a simplified import procedure (RECAUCA, articles 584 to 586): the goods are declared on a detailed list with estimated values. It is not, by itself, a tax exemption.
As of October 2026, the only exemption is from import duties (DAI), and only for people domiciled in Guatemala who return for good after being out of the country for the previous 24 months (article 21(a) of the Central American tariff and customs convention). SAT grants it as a franchise, requested with a certificate of your migration movements, the detailed list and your passport. The 12% IVA (value added tax) is not included: the IVA law exempts household goods only for Guatemalan diplomatic and consular staff returning from a posting. Everyone else, including foreigners moving to Guatemala for the first time, should expect to pay DAI plus 12% IVA on the value customs assigns to the used goods. Have a licensed customs agent confirm your case before you ship.
| Category | Counts as Household Goods? | Inventory Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Used furniture and appliances | Yes | List brand, model and serial number for appliances; customs values used goods from the inventory. |
| Clothing, books, and personal items | Yes | Indicate approximate quantity per box and estimated value. |
| New items with tags or sealed boxes | With invoices | List them with their purchase invoices (RECAUCA article 586); confirm with your customs agent how they will be taxed. |
| Vehicles | No | Never part of household goods; declared and taxed separately. |
| Tools or professional equipment | Partial | Machinery, equipment and tools for an office, clinic, factory or workshop are excluded (RECAUCA article 585). |
Use the same term in all documents
Write 'menaje de casa' in the inventory and on the B/L, and make sure the consignee's name and address are the same on every document. Confirm the exact details with your customs agent before shipping.
How Long Does an International Move to Guatemala Take?
Ocean transit is 4 days from Miami (Port Everglades) and 6 days from Houston to Santo Tomás de Castilla by full container, or 14 days by LCL to Guatemala City. Customs clearance can take longer than the voyage; ask your customs agent for a realistic estimate.
The timeline for moves to Guatemala depends on multiple factors, including document preparation, vessel space availability, and customs clearance efficiency. Advance planning is essential to meet specific dates.- Packing and loading at origin: 1-3 business days for full container
- U.S. export filing: Electronic Export Information (EEI), filed by you or your forwarder before departure for goods worth more than $2,500
- Ocean transit: 4 days Port Everglades → Santo Tomás de Castilla; 6 days from Houston
- SAT customs clearance: depends on your documents and on whether customs orders an inspection; your customs agent can give an estimate
- Land transport: about 295 km by road Santo Tomás de Castilla → Guatemala City
Timeline Optimization
Get your NIT and send copies of your passport, inventory and bill of lading to the customs agent before the ship arrives; the voyage is only 4 days.
Routes and Ports for Moves to Guatemala
Container moves from Miami (Port Everglades), Houston and New Jersey arrive at Santo Tomás de Castilla, on Guatemala's Caribbean coast, about 295 km by road from Guatemala City. Puerto Quetzal, on the Pacific coast about 100 km from the capital, receives our vehicle sailings from Los Angeles. Consolidated LCL cargo from Miami is delivered to Guatemala City.
Prohibited and Restricted Items for Moves to Guatemala
Firearms, ammunition, plants, seeds, food, alcohol and medicines may be prohibited or need permits in Guatemala: Guatemalan law virtually prohibits importing high-powered weapons, and products containing pseudoephedrine are banned. Confirm any such item with a licensed customs agent before you pack it. Vehicles are never part of household goods and clear customs separately, with their own taxes.
Guatemalan customs regulations are specific about which items can enter as personal effects. Several items need permits from other ministries, and FIDI's customs guide advises leaving them out of the container.Prohibited Items
- Firearms and ammunition
- Controlled medications without prescription
- Fresh, canned, and dairy foods
- Plants, seeds, and agricultural products
- Animal-origin products without certificate
Restricted Items
- Alcohol and wine: may need a permit and pay duties; check with your customs agent; movers' guides advise leaving them out
- Refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners: ask your customs agent before shipping whether their refrigerant gas needs a permit or is restricted
- Electronic equipment: brand, model, serial number and value on the inventory
- Personal medications: carry them in your luggage with the prescription; products with pseudoephedrine are prohibited
Vehicles Require Separate Process
Vehicles are NOT household goods: customs never counts them as menaje de casa. They go through their own customs declaration and pay their own taxes. Age and condition rules apply, and damaged vehicles may be refused; confirm your vehicle with a licensed customs agent before shipping.
Verify what you can ship
Our calculator includes a guide to permitted and restricted items for your move to Guatemala.
Check restrictions →Container Sizes for Moves to Guatemala
For moves to Guatemala, a 20' container (33 cubic meters) works for a 1-2 bedroom apartment, while 40' (67 cubic meters) accommodates a 3-4 bedroom house. LCL is an economical option for small moves under 10 cubic meters.
Selecting the correct container size optimizes costs and ensures all your belongings arrive safely. Moves to Guatemala typically use standard containers with the following capacities:Standard 20' Container
- Capacity: 33 cubic meters
- Dimensions: 6.1m × 2.4m × 2.4m
- Ideal for: 1-2 bedroom apartment
- Cost: $3,474 from Miami, $2,650 from Houston (September 2026)
Standard 40' Container
- Capacity: 67 cubic meters
- Dimensions: 12.2m × 2.4m × 2.4m
- Ideal for: 3-4 bedroom house
- Cost: $3,812 from Miami, $2,750 from Houston (40' HC, September 2026)
Above 10 cubic meters, the full 20' container offers better value than LCL and greater security for your belongings.
Customs Clearance Process in Guatemala
Customs clearance in Guatemala is handled by SAT at the port of arrival, normally Santo Tomás de Castilla. It requires a licensed local customs agent (RECAUCA article 87), and how long it takes depends on your documents and on whether customs orders an inspection. Used household goods are not tax-exempt: as of October 2026 only residents returning after 24 months abroad can be exempted from the import duty (DAI), and 12% IVA applies to everyone.
The SAT (Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria) is Guatemala's customs authority responsible for clearing international moves. The process is efficient when documentation is complete and correct.- Before arrival: NIT, documents to the customs agent and, if you qualify, the DAI franchise request
- Declaration: The agent transmits it with the bill of lading and the inventory
- Risk analysis: SAT's system decides whether the declaration is verified at all; if it is, by a document review or a physical and documentary examination (RECAUCA arts. 335 and 336)
- Physical inspection: If customs orders one, officers open and examine the goods
- Payment and release: Taxes are paid and SAT authorizes delivery
Customs Agent Required
Guatemalan law requires a licensed local customs agent. The cost of $300-$500 is included in our quotes and guarantees full legal compliance.
Insurance for International Moves to Guatemala
Insurance for moves to Guatemala costs 1.5-3% of declared value. Basic coverage includes total loss, while full coverage protects against partial damage, theft, and delays. Minimum insurable value $5,000.
International insurance is essential for moves to Guatemala due to inherent risks in ocean transport, port handling, and final land transport. Policies are tailored specifically to personal effects.Basic Coverage (1.5%)
- Total container loss
- General average (contribution)
- Fire and explosion
- Limit per item: $1,000
Full Coverage (2.5-3%)
- Partial and total damage
- Theft and burglary
- Water and humidity damage
- No limit per item
Claims Process
Document any damage immediately with detailed photos and report within 7 calendar days. Adjusters process claims in Guatemala within 30-45 days.
Packing and Preparation for Moves to Guatemala
Professional packing for Guatemala uses reinforced marine boxes, bubble wrap, and extra humidity protection for tropical climate. Appliances require special wrapping and furniture is disassembled to optimize container space.
Proper packing is critical for your belongings to arrive in perfect condition in Guatemala. The tropical climate and high humidity during ocean transit require specialized techniques. Specialized materials: - Double-corrugated marine cardboard boxes - Desiccant bags for humidity control - High-density bubble wrap - Padded blankets for furniture - Industrial plastic film for extra protection- Appliances: Original packaging when possible, internal desiccant bags
- Wood furniture: Anti-humidity treatment, professional disassembly
- Clothing and textiles: Sealed boxes with desiccants, avoid plastic bags
- Books and papers: Extra protection against tropical humidity
- Fragile items: Double packing, special marking, photographic inventory
Photographic Inventory
Document the condition of valuable items before packing. These photos are crucial evidence for insurance claims and facilitate identification during customs inspections.
Final Delivery in Guatemala: Cities and Costs
Delivery in Guatemala includes Guatemala City and Antigua at no extra cost. Quetzaltenango, Cobán, and other cities have surcharges of approx. $200-$400. Service includes unloading, but hoisting to upper floors has additional cost.
Final delivery in Guatemala is coordinated from the port of arrival (Santo Tomás de Castilla for containers from Miami and Houston) or, for consolidated LCL cargo, from the warehouse in Guatemala City, to your specific destination. Delivery zone with no additional cost: - Guatemala City (metropolitan area) - Antigua Guatemala - Villa Nueva - Mixco - Santa Catarina Pinula Destinations with delivery surcharge: - Quetzaltenango (Xela): approx. $250 surcharge - Cobán: approx. $300 surcharge - Flores/Petén: approx. $400 surcharge - Huehuetenango: approx. $350 surcharge - Retalhuleu: approx. $200 surchargeContainers from Miami and Houston arrive on the Caribbean coast and travel to the capital by road after customs release; consolidated LCL cargo is delivered from Guatemala City.
Partial vs Complete Moves to Guatemala
Partial moves to Guatemala use LCL from 2 cubic meters at approx. $215.60/m³, ideal for students or professionals. Complete moves require an exclusive container but offer better per-volume pricing and greater security.
The decision between partial or complete move depends on volume, budget, and urgency. Both options have specific advantages based on your particular situation.LCL - Partial Move
- Volume: 2-15 cubic meters
- Cost: approx. $215.60 per m³
- Time: 25-35 days total
- Ideal for: Students, single professionals, specific shipments
FCL - Complete Move
- Volume: 33-76 cubic meters
- Cost: $2,650-$2,750 from Houston, $3,474-$3,812 from Miami (September 2026)
- Time: 4 days ocean transit from Miami, 6 from Houston, plus customs clearance and delivery
- Ideal for: Families, complete household moves
Compare LCL vs FCL options
Our calculator automatically shows the best option based on your specific volume.
See price comparison →How to Get a Quote for Your Move to Guatemala
To quote your move to Guatemala you need a detailed inventory, exact origin and destination addresses, and tentative date. Our online calculator generates instant pricing for full containers and consolidated cargo.
An accurate quote for moves to Guatemala requires specific information that allows calculation of volume, weight, and necessary services. Careful inventory preparation guarantees exact budgets without surprises. Information required for quote:- Inventory by rooms: Detailed list of furniture and appliances
- Estimated weight: Especially for books, tools, and equipment
- Complete addresses: Origin in USA and destination in Guatemala
- Tentative date: ±1 week flexibility improves pricing
- Special services: Packing, unpacking, hoisting, storage
Optional Services
Add services like professional packing (approx. $800-$1,200) and full insurance (2.5% of value) directly in the calculator to see the true total cost.
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It can travel in the same container, but not as household goods: the car is declared separately and pays its own taxes. Check age and condition rules with a licensed customs agent first, because damaged or older vehicles may not be admitted. For the cost of shipping a vehicle, see the price table at the top of this page.
See the price table at the top of this page for current prices for a full 20' or 40' container. Partial moves travel in LCL and are charged by volume.
Prices for a 20' container (33 m³) and a 40' container (67 m³) are in the price table at the top of this page. If your move doesn't fill a container, consolidated LCL cargo is usually more economical.
It's the SAT customs category for furniture, appliances, and used household items that a person transfers to establish their home in Guatemala. Declaring it correctly, with a valued inventory and passport, gives you the simplified procedure. The only tax exemption covers import duties (DAI) for residents who return after the previous 24 months abroad; 12% IVA still applies, and everyone else pays both.
No. AB Group Shipping handles international moves from any city in the United States and Canada to Guatemala: pickup at origin, ocean transport to Guatemala, customs clearance, and delivery to Guatemala City, Antigua, Quetzaltenango, and other cities. For moves within the country, hire a Guatemalan moving company.
In practice, yes. Clearance needs your passport with the Guatemala entry stamp, and the returning-resident exemption also needs a certificate of your migration movements. A licensed customs agent files the declaration as your representative. If nobody clears the cargo when it arrives, the port and the shipping line charge storage.
With full insurance, document damage immediately with photos and report within 7 days. The adjuster evaluates in Guatemala and processes reimbursement within 30-45 days. Without insurance, carrier liability is limited to $500 per package under international convention.
It is better not to. FIDI's customs guide advises against packing medicines in a household goods shipment because customs can confiscate them. Carry personal medication in your luggage with the prescription, in quantities that match your needs, and note that products containing pseudoephedrine are prohibited in Guatemala.
The best season is January-April (dry season) to avoid hurricane delays and rain. Avoid November-December for peak holiday season which increases costs 15-25%. The lowest prices are May-September, but with risk of weather-related delays.
Sources
We checked the rules and figures in this guide against these sources on October 18, 2026.
- U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo): 46 U.S.C. § 30701 (United States Code, 2024 edition)
- NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory: Hurricane FAQ
- FIDI Global Alliance: Import Customs Guide GUATEMALA – Information from FIDI Latin America · 2024-09-05
- Hapag-Lloyd: 40' Standard - Hapag-Lloyd
- Hapag-Lloyd: 40' Standard High Cube - Hapag-Lloyd
- SAT DG-IAD/DNO-ADU-GOA-12 version IV, row 17 a and b
- RECAUCA art. 87
- RECAUCA art. 584
- CBP Form 3299, form dated 05/24
- Convenio sobre el Régimen Arancelario y Aduanero Centroamericano art. 21 a
✓ Fact-checked by AB Group Shipping on October 18, 2026. Prices come from our own rate system. How we check our guides · Spotted an error? [email protected]
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