How to Ship to Guatemala from the US
Guatemala is one of Central America's busiest import markets, with a large Guatemalan diaspora in the US regularly sending packages home. DHL, FedEx, and UPS all serve Guatemala City directly, and connecting service covers most major towns. Correo de Guatemala handles USPS last-mile delivery but service quality is variable.
Guatemala levies IVA (12% VAT) on imports plus customs duties ranging from 0–20% depending on the HS code. Packages under approximately $200 USD for personal use are often treated with simplified clearance, but this is not a formal de minimis exemption — commercial shipments face full duties from dollar one.
Typical 1 lb cost
$40–$60 USD
Typical transit
4–14 business days
Carrier Options to Guatemala
DHL Express Worldwide
Best choice for Guatemala. 2-4 business days. Strong Guatemala City presence.
FedEx International Priority
3-5 business days. Reliable for business and high-value packages.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
3-5 business days. Good for larger packages to metro areas.
USPS Priority Mail International
10–21 business days via Correo de Guatemala. Cheapest but least reliable.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 for items under $400. CN23 + commercial invoice for higher-value shipments.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and military equipment without SAT authorization
- ✕Illegal drugs and controlled substances
- ✕Counterfeit goods
- ✕Endangered species products
- ✕Live plants without phytosanitary certificate from MAGA
Guatemala-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 IVA (12%) applies to imports; declared customs value is used as the duty base
- 💡 Express carriers handle customs clearance directly — dramatically faster than USPS/Correo de Guatemala
- 💡 Include recipient's phone number on all labels — address standardization is poor in many areas
- 💡 Courier agents (encomiendas) within Guatemala can assist final-mile delivery to rural areas
- 💡 Avoid using generic descriptions like 'gift' — list actual item names and values to prevent customs holds
Frequently asked questions
Other International Destinations
Create Your International Shipping Label
Free for USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL international formats.
Create Label Free →