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How to import your car into Guatemala
Taxes, Fees & Paperwork

The following information was provide by our good friends at Gramajo y Aguilar Customs brokers at the El Carmen/Talisman border crossing. If you would like to import your car we highly recommend this company. We have imported several cars with them and they do excellent work.

Ok here is the formula for calculating your import tax.

1. Find the value of your vehicle using this website: http://nada.com
2. Once you find your vehicle look for the "Average trade in value."
3. Take the "Average Trade in Value" and add $880.00 to it. This fee is added to all imported vehicles value.
4. Multiply this number by current $ to Q Exchage rate (approx: Q8.00)
5. This amount is the base value you will pay taxes on.
6. Calculate your tax.

Pickup Truck Base Value
x
 23.20% = Tax Payment
Microbus Base Value
x
 28.80%= Tax Payment
Automobile Base Value
x
 34.40%= Tax Payment
SUV 4x4 Base Value
x
 28.80%= Tax Payment
SUV 4x2 Base Value
x
 34.40%= Tax Payment

7. The amount you calculate is the tax you will pay to import your vehicle into Guatemala.
8. To this amount add Q500 which is the cost of the paperwork (Tramite) to import your car. You will pay this amount to your customs broker.

As an example:
1998 Dodge Caravan NADA Average Trade in value = $1600
$1600 + $880 = $2480
$2480 x Q8.00 = Q19840 is the base value
Q19840 x 28.80% = Q5713.92 this is the import tax
Q5713.92 + Q500 = Q6213.92 Total amount including paperwork at the border.

This information is current as of May 2010. I just finished helping a guy import his Dodge Caravan and this is what he paid. As with everything in Guatemala things change but this should give you a very good estimate of what it will cost.

For current information please contact Gramajo y Aguliar Customs Brokers.

Gramajo y Aguilar
Agenicia Aduanal
Tel: +502 7772-1357 or +502 5469-6743
Email: gramajoyaguilar@hotmail.com

If you need additional info let me know.

Tom Lingenfelter
tom@xelapages.com

Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.