Guatemala Customs Regulations

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Import Regulations

80 Cigarettes or
3 ½ ounces of tobacco
2 bottles of liquor or spirits
No restrictions on perfume

Illegal drugs
Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition
Knives and other dangerous weapons
Milk and milk products
Wild plants and plant products
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material
Culturally valuable pre Columbian artefacts are banned from exiting the country without permission.

All passengers visiting the country will need to pay a GTQ 20 Airport Security Tax when returning home.
Cats and dogs being imported into the country will require a veterinarian health certificate. The certificate will need to prove that the animals have been vaccinated against Rabies if coming from or passing through an infected region. Dogs must also be accompanied by a vaccination certificate against parvovirus. Only pedigreed pets will be allowed to enter the country for free.

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Export Regulations

No information available

Illegal drugs
Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition
Knives and other dangerous weapons
Milk and milk products
Wild plants and plant products
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material
Culturally valuable pre Columbian artefacts are banned from exiting the country without permission.

All passengers visiting the country will need to pay a GTQ 20 Airport Security Tax when returning home.

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Health & Security

Basic health information for travelers to Guatemala

Basic security information for travelers to Guatemala

🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Guatemala

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age coming from countries with infected areas. Other travellers are strongly advised to obtain vaccination against the disease before visiting the country.
Tap and other local water sources should be considered contaminated and thoroughly boiled before being drunk. Travellers are advised to stick to bottled water whenever possible throughout their stay inside the country. Milk could be unpasteurised and should also be boiled before using and all dairy products are best avoided.
All meat, fish and vegetables should be well cooked and served boiling hot before being eaten. Fruit items should be peeled and great care should be taken over fish and other sea based food which may still contain poisonous diseases even after being boiled.
Dysentery and diarrhoeal diseases are common in this country and travellers should obtain vaccinations against Malaria and Hepatitis A. Cases of Leptospirosis and Onchocerciasis (river blindness) in heavily forested sections of the country have been reported.
Dengue Fever is a year round health problem in the country with thousands of cases being reported each year. All travellers visiting the country are strongly advised to wear clothing that exposes little skin and to obtain plenty of insect repellent for protection. If bitten and infected, travellers should drink large sums of bottled water and seek out medical assistance if symptoms become serious or life threatening.
Malaria is present year long in Guatemala at altitudes less than 1500m.Travellers visiting low lying sections of the county including Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, El Petén and San Marcos should obtain plenty of insect repellent for protection. If infected, travellers should obtain chloroquine pills to aid with the symptoms and seek medical assistance if your overall condition continues to deteriorate.
Hepatitis B has been reported throughout the region and all travellers should exercise great care when dealing with bloody needles or when engaging in sexual activity during your visit.
Rabies is present in the country and travellers should take care around any native animals whose bites may contain the disease. If bitten, travellers should clean the wound and seek immediate medical attention before symptoms develop.
Travellers visiting the country should also take on plenty of bottled water and sunscreen to prevent any risk of serious sunburn or dehydration. Altitude sickness may be experienced in higher places such as volcanoes and mountains, and dangerous levels of exertion should be avoided.
A reasonable level of healthcare may be available in Guatemala City but the overall standard of medical facilities are fairly poor to limited elsewhere in the country. Doctors will likely request immediate payment for any services rendered and travel and health insurance is strongly advised. Public facilities may suffer shortages of many important medicines and equipment and will have questionable standards of hygiene and private clinic are recommended.
Evacuation to a nearby country may be required in the event of serious illness or injury and travellers needing this service can expect to pay a heavy price for any services required.

🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Guatemala

Acts of theft and violent crime are a serious danger to any travellers visiting the country and various precautions should be taken. All visitors are strongly advised to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe location at all times throughout their visit and to avoid obvious displays of wealth in public which could attract unwanted attention. Travellers should also keep a copy of their passport with them for identification by the countries authorities or in the case of an emergency.
Visitors to the country are advised against travelling alone in any region of the country after dark or in remote locations.
Travellers should use only officially recognised border crossings if entering from or travelling to other countries neighbouring Guatemala. All travellers visiting the border should be wary of the continued state of conflict between the two countries and take care to keep their valuables safe and out of sight at all times.
Travel on public buses is not advised due to the many reports of violent theft and assaults against tourists that have occurred on them. Guatemala City Council no longer permits some inter-city buses to enter the city centre and inner city coach services are generally considered to be a slightly safer way to explore the city.
Political protests and demonstrations have occurred several times in the countries recent history and some have turn violent. Travellers to the country are urged to avoid any large groups of rallies which could suddenly turn unpredictable or violent and to monitor the local political situation closely before entering the country.
The countries rainy season usually runs from June to November. Combined with the local hurricane season, the resulting heavy rain can often cause serious flooding and mudslides which can close roads and make transportation throughout the country hazardous. Travellers to the country are urged monitor the local news and weather channels for any severe weather which could affect their travel plans and could pose a threat to their safety.
Several of the countries volcanoes are currently active including Pacaya, Fuego and Santiaguito with Volcano Santiaguito in particular currently showing signs of a potential eruption. All travellers to the region are strongly advised to only visit any of the volcanoes in the company of a local tourist guide and to stay updated regarding any predicted future eruptions.
Guatemala is also in a seismically active area and Earthquakes have been known to occasionally occur. Travellers visiting the country should stay updated regarding any potential earthquake warnings and plan their visit accordingly.
Travellers to the country should take care to obtain plenty of sunscreen and bottled water for protection against the heat before beginning their journey.
The prisons in the country may be violent and overcrowded and all travellers should avoid committing any crime that could bring them into contact with the police services. Photographs of local people, especially children, should never be taken without permission and could lead to trouble if taken otherwise. Homosexuality is not illegal in this country but overt displays of affection between same sex couples are strongly advised against in the more traditional sections of the country.

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Contact Information

For further assistance please contact the Guatemalan Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.

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Telephone

+50224120488

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Official Website

www.mineco.gob.gt

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Address

8Av. 10-43, Zona 1 Ciudad de Guatemala