
Car Shipping Guatemala City
Guatemala City is a city that lies in the Valle de la Ermita Valley in Guatemala and is the largest city in the country with a population of nearly 2.5 million residents. The city is the nucleus of the country's economy, transportation, government, and culture. Business leaders from around the globe have opened businesses in Guatemala City due to the prestige of the surrounding area. Many financial institutions, including CitiBank, Banco Promerica, Continental, and BAC Credit, have banks and investment firms in the city. Companies like Walmart, Sears, Office Depot, and Price Smart have opened retail stores in Guatemala City, bringing many new employment opportunities for local residents and those relocating from the United States and other countries. There is public transportation in Guatemala City, but it is not advisable to use the bus system due to the possibility of crime. Using a personal car for travel is the best way to get around the city and the safest mode of transportation.
Cost & Time Examples For Moving a Vehicle to Guatemala City
To/From | Ground | Ocean | Estimated Time |
---|---|---|---|
Guatemala City to (California port) to San Jose, CA | $200 | $1700 | 5+20 days |
Local Area to (California port) to Los Angeles | $350 | $1700 | 5+20 days |
Guatemala City to (New York port) to Boston, MA | $400 | $2900 | 5+29 days |
City Limits to (California port) to Phoenix, AZ | $550 | $1700 | 6+20 days |
Guatemala City to (New York port) to Detroit, MI | $575 | $2900 | 6+29 days |
Chicago, IL to (New York port) to The Area | $675 | $2900 | 6+29 days |
City Limits to (New York port) to Atlanta, GA | $700 | $2900 | 6+29 days |
Denver, CO to (California port) to Guatemala City | $775 | $1700 | 7+20 days |
Miami, FL to (New York port) to Local Area | $925 | $2900 | 7+29 days |
Dallas, TX to (California port) to Guatemala City | $1,025 | $1700 | 7+20 days |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional 10 days to process the documents.
*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to relocate a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*Using the RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
Using an Automobile Transport Company
The only way to move a motor vehicle to Guatemala City is to hire a professional automobile shifting company to handle the shipment for you. Working with a professional company with the necessary experience to ship a car to Guatemala City is detrimental to ensuring safe transport with reliability and affordable rates. Once you speak to the transport agent, you will need to give them some important information about you and your car. The information they will need includes:
- Driver’s License.
- Social Security Number.
- Signed Power of Attorney.
- Make, model, and year of automobile.
You will need to let the agent know if you will be driving the car to the shipping port in the United States or if you need to have it picked up and delivered. They will also need to know if you will be moving the car alone or if you have other items that need to be hauled simultaneously. Shipping insurance is usually included in the final price quote, but you will want to check the amount offered to ensure it is adequate for your personal vehicle. You may also want to add an extra travel policy to your current policy or purchase a marine insurance policy for overseas shifting.
How to Relocate a Vehicle?
When you relocate a vehicle to Guatemala City, you can choose from three different modes of transport. They are:
- Air Shipping- Air shipping can be costly and is typically only used for high-value cars and personal items with significant financial value. It is the fastest way to ship a vehicle or other items overseas.
- RORO – RORO is the simplest and most affordable way to shift a car overseas to Guatemala City. It is used by millions of vehicle owners and dealerships each year. It’s a simple process that makes it easy to drive automobiles onto the ship for relocation and drive them off when they reach the exit port.
- Containerized- Containerized shifting is an enclosed hauling method that offers extra protection during overseas transport. Using a container will let you pack other items along with the car as you have it transported, making it simple to relocate an entire household and a motor vehicle all in one trip.
Your shipping agent will provide information on all available types of shifts from your location to the shipping port and to Guatemala City.

Customs Regulations in Guatemala City
Customs in Guatemala will allow you to import one personal motor vehicle as long as it is within 10 years of age. This applies to cars, classic cars, and motorcycles. Trucks can be imported as long as they are within 13 years of age. This rule applies to citizens of Guatemala, diplomats, and people from foreign countries. You will have to supply some paperwork to customs at the time of shipping that includes:
- Passport with Guatemala entry stamp.
- Original Bill of Lading or Airway Bill.
- Packing List if you use container shipping.
- Original Commercial Invoice or Sales Receipt.
- Motor Vehicle Inspection Report.
- Motor Vehicle Title.
- Motor Vehicle Registration.
- Driver’s License.
- Duty Free Exemption Letter (if applicable).
- Motor Vehicle Insurance (Valid in Guatemala).

If you are missing any required documents or vital information, you will have to pay $150.00 for a complete vehicle inspection. The bill of lading will have to include the motor vehicle VIN, chassis, and engine numbers, make and model, year, engine size, fuel type, the car's color, and the car's cubic centimeters. You can contact the Embassy of Guatemala in Washington, DC, for more detailed information on required documents, taxes, and duty fees, as well as information on motor vehicle regulations for driving in Guatemala City.