Moving to Guatemala

GUATEMALA

PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS

Drugs, Firearms (or you need special permission from the Ministry of Defence), Food (Only permitted 2kgs), Liquor (Only permitted 6 bottles)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Household goods, personal effects and vehicles are subject to pay taxes/duties.

According with the customs regulations in Guatemala, it is not necessary to have a work permit, only a tourist visa is enough. There are no differences for Guatemalan citizens or foreign citizens

Diplomats of accredited foreign Embassies and Officials of International Organizations are exempted from customs taxes/duties. Their shipments are subject to customs inspection to proceed with customs. They have to submit a diplomatic franchise and it should be processed by the Embassy or International Mission in Guatemala before shipment can be released

AIR, SEA AND LAND FREIGHTS

Air and sea consolidated; shipments are cleared directly in a bonded warehouse under informal entry, providing the original documents for clearing the shipments. All shipments are subject to a physical inspections from customs authorities. This could take between 5 to 10 workings days, depending if it arrives via air, sea or land and the size of the shipment. It is necessary to unload the container and trailer trucks in a bonded warehouse previous to customs clearance.

Shipments must be cleared at the port of entry. The customs authorities will make the physical inspection at the port of entry and they will determine the amount of the import taxes to be paid. The port authorities will collect additional charges for unloading the container at the port and our crew will be present to supervise the inspection and to seal the boxes opened by the officials. Customs clearance takes three to five working days.

Note: All shipments cannot be delivered until duties have been paid.

Customer has to be in Guatemala to clear the shipment through customs, any demurrage, additional charges and payment of the taxes/duties is for customer´s account.

POV with foreign plates may circulate in the country with a temporal permit of (30 days), but the owner cannot leave the country unless his car has been re-exported or all import duties have been paid.

All POV must be cleared at the POE. (Not in Guatemala City bonded warehouse). Customs authorities will perform an inspection of the POV and documents prior to place the value of the duties/taxes to be paid. Customs clearance takes two weeks.

The following documents are required and should be provided to us prior the arrival of the shipment:

Documents must be originals otherwise customs will not consider them.

We need copy of the related documents via fax prior shipment arrival.

AIR AND SEA SHIPMENTS

• Air waybill or two originals of bill of lading
• Original packing list in English or Spanish
• Original of Owner passport with entry stamp
• Delivery and billing instruction including insurance information

Nit number. We can process this document, we just need the original cedula (identification card) if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, we need the original passport.

SURFACE SHIPMENTS

• Original of Cargo Manifest
• Original Packing list
• Original of Owner passport
• Original of International Transit Guide
• Delivery and billing instructions including insurance information.

Nit number. We can process this document, we just need the original cedula (identification card) if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, we need the original passport.

AUTOMOBILES (POV)

• Original bill of lading
• Original of Car title as proof of ownership
• Original of commercial invoice
• Original of Owner passport
• Delivery and billing instructions including insurance information.
• Nit number. We can process this document, we just need the original cedula
• (identification card) if the shipper is Guatemalan, if foreigner, we need the original passport.

Please send us the following POV information in your pre-advise:

• No. of Chassis
• No. of Motor
• No. of doors
• Make
• Year
• Style
• No. Cylinder
• Vin number
• Fuel
• Colour
• Cubic centimetre (c.c.)

Note: If we do not receive the above information before arrival of the POV or if this information is incorrect, customer will have to pay US$.100.00 for inspection.

The Nit is a personal identification number which shipper must obtain from the Finance Ministry in Guatemala City. The customer will obtain this application form and presenting his original passport. It is not possible to clear the shipment without the NIT.

In general it is not necessary to have the documents legalized at the Guatemalan Consulate at origin.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Ship container Door to Door

Show as consignee on B/L or AWB

Name of customer

c/o INTERMUD, S.A

Guatemala City, Guatemala

Tel. (502) 4745174

Please refer shipment to our rate reference number on the consignment letter. The Bill of Lading or AWB must show freight charges.

All incoming shipments to Guatemala City will be inspected at port of entry, if customs requires. POV have a different customs procedure than household goods and personal effects

New items will be considered as a commercial entry and therefore subject to normal customs duty, paying full taxes/duties. A commercial invoice is necessary and must cover duties/taxes which range from 5% to 40% of CIF value plus 12% of valued added tax

Used items will be assessed by customs taking into consideration prices listed in the packing list and subject to physical inspection.

PETS

Pets require a health/vaccination certificate from origin dated within 30 days prior to arrival.

Important: This information is intended for general guidance. Orbit International Logistics LTD. cannot however take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use. As such it is advisable to contact the nearest United Kingdom customs office for full and current information prior to importation.

Moving to Guatemala

When moving from Canada to Guatemala it is very important to choose the best overseas moving company. Orbit International Moving Logistics is the best international moving company in Canada. With our extensive experience with shipping a container to Guatemala, Orbit International Moving Logistics can offer you and your family, valuable insights about you’re moving to Guatemala and finding the right international relocation companies and choosing the best international moving service overseas moving companies. We have listed below helpful ideas and tips that can help you plan you’re moving to Guatemala. Shall you prefer to talk with an International moving consultant, please call (416) 661-4228.

The Best Overseas Moving Companies:

There are many overseas moving companies who claim to be the best mover and best relocation company in the country. Of course this cannot be true because then, all the international shipping companies would be the best.

To help determine which overseas moving company is right for you, Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd has gathered some vital points for you to consider.

1. The best tip – a recommendation from a friend.
2. Research the overseas moving companies you are considering. Check if they are licensed to export and import.
3. Make sure that you are performing an equal comparison between the quotes of the various companies. You compare international relocation rates from the overseas moving companies based on shipping an equal volume of goods and contracting the same exact shipping service on the same dates. Pay special attention to the “EXCLUDES” of each quote to insure that you are not overlooking any hidden fees.
4. Check the overseas moving company’s referrals and reputation. Ask each company for testimonials from past clients. A reputable overseas moving company should have some for you to review.
5. Visit the physical office of the overseas moving company you are considering. Never trust an international moving company without a physical address!. In this day and age anyone can have an office in their basement.
6. Make sure that the overseas shipping company you choose has reputable overseas forwarding agents who can assist you in the same manner that you are getting from the company moving you from Canada.

Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd was established by 2 long time family friends who had experienced moves with mixes results. However, none have satisfied the quality of service needed during such an emotional and straining event. We have extensive experience relocating customers worldwide by Ocean Freight and Air Cargo as we are an international shipper. Our rates are always All-inclusive. What sets us apart is the level of service we offer our customers.  We provide free, no-obligation estimates, listen to your concerns, and find the solutions best suited to meeting your removal and relocation needs – whether you’re moving your family.(i.e. door-to-door, door to port, full containers, RO-RO, custom crates, etc.) We offer free consultations with one of our relocation specialist and assist you in planning moving to Guatemala and choosing the right overseas moving services.

List of Guatemala consulates in Canada:

Embassy of Guatemala in Ontario, Canada
Embassy of Guatemala
130 Albert Street
Suite 1010
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4
City: Ontario
Phone: (613) 233-7188
Fax: (613) 233-0135
Web Site: http://www.embaguate-canada.com
Email: embassy1@embaguate-canada.com
Office Hours: Embassy Office Hours 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Consulate Office Hours Open to the General Public Tuesday to Friday 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Embassy of Guatemala in Ottawa, Canada
130 Albert Street Suite 1010 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5G4
City: Ottawa
Phone: (613) 233-7188
Fax: (613) 233-0135
Web Site: http://www.embaguate-canada.com/
Email: embguate@ottawa.net

Honorary Consulate of Guatemala in Calgary, Canada
85 Edgebrooke Road, N.W. Calgary, Alberta T3A 4M4.
City: Calgary
Phone: 403 241-6875
Fax: 403 208-6853
Email: consuladhonorguate@shaw.ca

Honorary Consulate of Guatemala in Montreal, Canada
1255 University Street, Suite 512 Montreal, Québec, Canada H3B 3B6
City: Montreal
Phone: 514 397-2348 / 514 397-2385
Email: consmontreal@minex.gob.gt

Honorary Consulate of Guatemala in Vancouver, Canada
4066 Norwood Ave., North Vancouver, B. C. Canadá V7N 3R3
City: Vancouver
Phone: 604 904 9889
Fax: 604 988 6606
Email: guatemalaconsulvancouver@yahoo.ca