Shipping to and from Guatemala

Combined Demurrage and Detention

Combined Demurrage and Detention combined starts as from discharge day (included), ends with gate-in empty day (included) to terminal.

Tiempo libre / Free time

Tarifa estándar después de tiempo libre / Standard rates after free time

Special cargoes

 OOG, B/B and IMO cargo are subject to standard Maersk Line approval procedures. 

Please contact gt.import@maersk.com for detailed information.

Special customs requirements

• Customer must present 2 OBL's (1 to customs and 1 to Maersk Line for cargo release) and commercial invoice. 
• Customer must present a customs fiscal document that states weight, quantity of pieces,  cargo description, name of the truck driver and license plates of the truck that is to take the container to the bonded warehouse as well as duties information.

Freight collect approval 

Imports on collect base are not accepted. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, which must be consulted before loading (email to: gt.import@maersk.com) 

Weight restrictions

Overall weight measurement

Before leaving the port facilities, containers are weighed in order to establish conformance with the overall weight restriction norm of 24,000 kgs.

All indicated weights with the exception of the grand total (which indicates the weight restriction) may differ according to individual equipment characteristics. Please take into account that the Maximum Cargo Weight indications are merely suggestions, and do not warrant compliance with the Overall Weight Restriction as planted by the government, as too many variables come into the equation. All the tare numbers have been taken on the high side in order to leave a safe margin.

Weight restriction is determined for overall weight put on road surface, meaning: weight truck + weight truck driver + tare chassis + tare chassis/flatbed + weight genset + weight container + weight cargo, which must not go over 37,000 kgs (81,400 lbs).

Authorities grant a 5% tolerance, not included in the numbers. However, also distribution of the cargo inside the container is a determinating factor, as additionally per-axle limitations exist and are enforced.

Per-axle weight measurement

There is also a weight check at a point along the highway. Here, weight is measured per axle (of truck and of chassis) in order to establish conformance with per-axle specifications (which are specified below).

Conformance with these norms implies an even distribution of the cargo inside the container. An unevenly stowed shipment may be inside the overall weight limit, but be overweight on a specific axle. Non-conformance results unequivocally in fines and the forced transload of overweight cargo into a second unit. All related costs will have to be covered by the consignee before delivery can take place.

Any cargo that exceeds 21,500 KGS will need to pay for triaxle service.

Following tables specify the maximum per axle weights (weights in kgs):

Import of Shipper Owned Container

Important Information about imports with a Shipper Owned Container – SOC

You will need to consider at least one of the following options:

Temporary Import Permission (Issue by SAT – Tax Entity in Guatemala)

• This is a procedure that has to be performed and confirmed before the arrival of the container to avoid delays on the release, and any situation with the local authorities.
• Consignee manifest to SAT (Tax authority) that they will be bringing merchandise in a container that is Shipper Owned. This request asks permission to the authorities to take the container out from the port without having to pay taxes since the container will be exported soon.
• This has to be handled by the Consignee’s Customs Broker.

Nationalize the container (pay taxes over the container's price)

• It will be a short process with SAT and Authorities, since Consignee will Nationalize the container, pay taxes and take the container out from the port.
• Won’t require any security deposit or any other expense than the current ones with Maersk. ( Taxes or fees involved in the nationalization will be determined by SAT and Customs Broker has to provide this information to the Consignee).
• It has to be handled by Consignee’s Customs Broker.

Maersk Guatemala will not manifest the Shipper Owned Containers as containerized cargo, and will not issue ATC for the Shipper Owned Container.