🇬🇹 India–Guatemala trade guide
Everything you need to ship from India to Guatemala or import from Guatemala to India: the trade agreement, routes and transit times, how your buyer imports, duties, regulators and documents.
India and Guatemala at a glance
No trade agreement with India. The Central American common tariff (DAI) applies.
India exported about US$656 million in 2025-26, making Guatemala its largest market in Central America: motorcycles, pharmaceuticals, cotton yarn, chemicals, steel and vehicles. India buys cardamom (India is a big buyer of Guatemalan cardamom), wood and metals.
Routes and transit times to Guatemala
35–50 days, via Cartagena, Panama or Mexican Pacific transhipment.
- Puerto Quetzal (Pacific) GTPRQ
- Santo Tomás de Castilla (Atlantic) GTSTC
- Puerto Barrios (Atlantic) GTPBR
4–7 days.
- Guatemala City La Aurora GUA
Transit times are indicative port-to-port from Nhava Sheva / Mundra (sea) and Delhi / Mumbai (air). Routing changes (for example Red Sea diversions) can add 10–14 days.
Importing into Guatemala: what your buyer needs
- The importer registers with SAT. A licensed customs agent files the DUCA.
- Regulated goods need sanitary registrations from the Ministry of Health or MAGA.
Central American common tariff (DAI, mostly 0–15%), plus 12% VAT (IVA).
- Ministry of Health (MSPAS): medicines, food, cosmetics
- MAGA: plant and animal health
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / AWB
- Sanitary registrations as required
- ISPM-15 wood packaging
From Guatemala to India, and tips from the field
Large cardamom: check India's import policy and duty on cardamom before contracting.
- File the Bill of Entry through a licensed customs broker in India (YAM holds licence R-7/92).
- Check the HS code in the Indian tariff, the DGFT import policy (free, restricted or prohibited) and any BIS, FSSAI, plant quarantine or other permit before the goods ship.
- If an agreement applies, get the correct certificate of origin from the exporter to claim the lower duty.
- The DUCA works across Central America, which helps regional distribution.
- Our partner agents in Latin America can handle destination clearance and delivery. Ask us for a door-to-door quote.
Written by YAM Logistics from our own experience and public sources, checked November 2026. Duties, taxes, permits and trade agreements change often: treat rates and transit times as indicative and confirm them for your HS code and shipment before you quote or ship. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice.
Questions people ask
Does India have a trade agreement with Guatemala?+
No trade agreement with India. The Central American common tariff (DAI) applies.
How long does shipping from India to Guatemala take?+
By sea: 35–50 days, via Cartagena, Panama or Mexican Pacific transhipment. By air: 4–7 days.
What does an importer in Guatemala need?+
The importer registers with SAT. A licensed customs agent files the DUCA. Regulated goods need sanitary registrations from the Ministry of Health or MAGA.
What duties and taxes apply in Guatemala?+
Central American common tariff (DAI, mostly 0–15%), plus 12% VAT (IVA).
Can YAM Logistics handle shipments to Guatemala?+
Yes. YAM handles export clearance and freight from India, and works with partner agents in Latin America for destination clearance and delivery to Guatemala. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote.