International: Guatemala

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

International Transport Is a Distinct Category by Law

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles across the border. The Ley de Transportes names international transport as a separate class from urban and intercity transport, and subjects it to the same prior authorization and registration rules.

A Fixed Route Is Required

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles across the border. International cargo services by motor vehicle must choose a fixed route through Guatemala and may not operate outside the route specified in their authorization.

DGT Registration Covers International Service

Yes

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles across the border. The DGT’s cargo vehicle registration lets the applicant choose national or international coverage, and requires the same company, tax, vehicle, insurance and notarized responsibility documents described on the Guatemala page.

OverviewOverview & Scope

A mover operating its own vehicles for international road transport to or from Guatemala needs prior authorization and registration with the DGT, within the Ministerio de Comunicaciones, Infraestructura y Vivienda, for international service, and must keep to the fixed route set in that authorization. Each vehicle is registered with proof of third-party liability insurance. Where a mover subcontracts the cross-border carriage, the authorization attaches to the carrier (the company that owns and drives the truck), and the carrier’s own registration covers the transport it performs; the mover should use carriers that hold it. Customs procedures for goods crossing Central American borders are separate and are covered in the Country Guides.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers that carry goods across Guatemala’s borders in their own vehicles must:

1. Hold DGT authorization and registration for international cargo service, operating only on the fixed route specified in the authorization.
2. Hold third-party liability insurance for each vehicle registered with the DGT.

Movers that subcontract the cross-border carriage must:

3. Use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

All movers with employees must:

4. Register with the Instituto Guatemalteco de Seguridad Social (IGSS) as an employer.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Business (empresa mercantil), and the company itself where the mover is a commercial company, registered in the Registro Mercantil, with a current patente de comercio (Código de Comercio, art. 334)Verified by DocumentRequired
• DGT authorization and registration held for international cargo service, operated only on the fixed route specified in the authorization (Ley de Transportes, Decreto 253, arts. 2 and 12; Acuerdo Gubernativo 135-94)Where applicable (mover operates its own vehicles across the border)Verified by DocumentRequired

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport or other services are subcontracted, the mover uses suppliers that hold the licences and insurance required by law for the work they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Insurance and social security

• Third-party liability insurance (seguro contra terceros) held for each vehicle registered with the DGTWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles registered with the DGT)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Employer registered with IGSS, giving workers coverage that includes the accident (Accidentes) programme (IGSS Junta Directiva Acuerdo 1123, arts. 2 and 3(c))Where applicable (mover has one or more employees)Verified by DocumentRequired