Promote:
Export from Guatemala
A short guide for companies selling from Guatemala: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Guatemala sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$15.6 billion
Merchandise exports were US$15,611,304,067 in 2025 as UN Comtrade reports them, including re-exports.
Source: UN Comtrade, Guatemala exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Services exportsEstimate
US$4.88 billion
Services exports were US$4,877.59 million in 2025, flagged as estimated in the WTO, UNCTAD and ITC services data on UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC services data, Guatemala (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Coffee (HS 0901)US$1.24 billion
- 2. Bananas and plantains (HS 0803)US$1.11 billion
- 3. Cane sugar (HS 1701)US$942.5 million
- 4. Palm oil (HS 1511)US$618.3 million
- 5. Medicines in measured doses (HS 3004)US$421.9 million
- 6. T-shirts and knit tops (HS 6109)US$402.9 million
- 7. Cardamom, nutmeg and mace (HS 0908)US$377.1 million
- 8. Sweaters and pullovers (HS 6110)US$314.6 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Pesticides and weed killers (HS 3808)US$275.7 million
- 10. Women's knit blouses (HS 6106)US$256.5 million
- 11. Bread and pastries (HS 1905)US$254.2 million
- 12. Knitted and crocheted fabrics (HS 6006)US$253.9 million
- 13. Men's knit shirts (HS 6105)US$230.5 million
- 14. Soap-making and cleaning agents (HS 3402)US$228.3 million
- 15. Melons and papayas (HS 0807)US$208 million
- 16. Paper and cardboard boxes (HS 4819)US$193.5 million
- 17. Natural rubber (HS 4001)US$190.7 million
- 18. Sweetened and flavored waters (HS 2202)US$190.7 million
- 19. Plastic packaging (HS 3923)US$188.3 million
- 20. Sauces and seasonings (HS 2103)US$178.9 million
- Comtrade flow X includes re-exports, so the ranking is not domestic exports alone. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Guatemala exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- United States31.2%
- El Salvador13.7%
- Honduras11.4%
- Nicaragua7%
- Mexico4.4%
- Costa Rica4.3%
- Netherlands3.6%
- Panama2%
- Guatemala reports export values free on board; the destination shares are of the World total of the same 2025 query. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Guatemala exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks coffee, T-shirts and knit tops and cardamom, nutmeg and mace as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Guatemala’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Guatemala exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Coffee grew 35% from 2024 to 2025; knitted and crocheted fabrics grew 11% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, Guatemala exports by product, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
The United States takes 31.2% of Guatemala’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: UN Comtrade, Guatemala exports by destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
Central American Common Market (General Treaty on Central American Economic Integration)
Originating goods move tariff-free among the Central American Common Market members, except unroasted coffee and cane sugar.
Rules-based preference; free circulation with Honduras has exceptions, so check the exclusion lists.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
Lets qualifying Guatemalan goods enter the United States duty-free, and Guatemala finished its own tariff cuts in 2025.
Rules-based preference; the United States also applies Section 301 duties outside the agreement, with exemptions.
Source: USTR, CAFTA-DR agreement page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union
Gives qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to the European Union, using the EUR-1 certificate.
Rules-based preference. The whole agreement has fully applied since May 1, 2024; its trade pillar applied provisionally to Guatemala from December 1, 2013.
Source: European Commission, trade relations with Central America (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Association Agreement between Central America and the United Kingdom
Gives qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to the United Kingdom, keeping the terms of the European Union agreement.
Entered into force for Guatemala in 2021; some tariff quota volumes differ from the European Union agreement.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Show 12 more agreements
Free trade agreement between Central America and Mexico
Lets qualifying Guatemalan goods enter Mexico at preferential rates under the agreement's origin rules.
Rules-based preference; Guatemala completed its tariff reduction schedule with Mexico in 2022.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreement between Guatemala and Taiwan
Lets qualifying Guatemalan goods enter Taiwan at preferential rates under the agreement's origin rules.
Rules-based preference; Guatemala completed its tariff reduction schedule in 2020.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreements of Central America with Chile, Panama and the Dominican Republic
Give qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to Chile, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Rules-based preferences; each agreement has its own origin rules and exclusions.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreement between the Northern Triangle and Colombia
Gives qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to Colombia.
Rules-based preference; Guatemala changed its schedule for natural rubber latex during the review period.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreement between Guatemala and Israel
Gives qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to Israel and covers goods only.
Entered into force for Guatemala in 2024; Guatemala's own tariff cuts run for 15 years.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Partial scope agreements with Belize, Cuba and Ecuador
Give a limited list of Guatemalan goods preferential access to Belize, Cuba and Ecuador.
Limited product lists only; the agreement with Venezuela grants no preferences.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Generalized System of Preferences schemes granted to Guatemala
Lets qualifying Guatemalan goods enter countries such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia and Switzerland at reduced duty, using Form A.
Unilateral and revocable; as of 2025, the WTO review says Canada's scheme ran until 2025, while VUPE's July 2025 page still lists Canada.
Source: VUPE, certificates of origin, July 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 9, 2025
Agreement between the United States and Guatemala on Reciprocal Trade
Sets tariff and other trade terms between the United States and Guatemala for originating goods.
Signed January 30, 2026; as of October 31, 2026 USTR lists no entry into force, so check USTR before you rely on it.
Source: USTR, United States-Guatemala reciprocal trade signing, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 30, 2026
Free trade agreement between Central America and the European Free Trade Association
Would give qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to the European Free Trade Association states once all parties ratify.
Signed, but Guatemala's accession protocol must be ratified by all parties before it applies.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreement between Central America and South Korea
Would give qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to South Korea once all parties ratify.
Signed, but Guatemala's accession protocol must be ratified by all parties before it applies.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreement between Guatemala and Peru
Would give qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to Peru once it enters into force.
Signed but not yet in force as of the WTO review of 2025.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Free trade agreement between Guatemala and Trinidad and Tobago
Would give qualifying Guatemalan goods preferential access to Trinidad and Tobago once it enters into force.
Signed but not yet in force as of the WTO review of 2025.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Guatemala
- Request your exporter code through the VUPE electronic system; every export starts with it.Ventanilla Única para las Exportaciones2 to 3 hours review; Q92Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VUPE, basic export requirements brochure, 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- Register as an exporter in SAT's Virtual Agency, which is required as of 2025.Superintendencia de Administración TributariaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
- Get the permits your goods need, such as wood, plant, animal, textile, mining or hazardous waste permits, through the VUPE delegates.Ventanilla Única para las ExportacionesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VUPE, basic export requirements brochure, 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- For coffee, get the export and shipping permit from ANACAFÉ, and expect the 1 percent charge.Asociación Nacional del Café1 percent of free-on-board valueOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Show 5 more export steps
- Claim a preference by issuing the certificate of origin through SEADEX Web, with MINECO authorization for Form A and EUR-1.Dirección de Administración del Comercio Exterior, Ministerio de EconomíaFree with the DEPREX for agreement certificatesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VUPE, certificates of origin, July 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 9, 2025
- Check the Guatemalan Technical Standards, which are voluntary, and the buyer's own requirements.Comisión Guatemalteca de NormasOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
- Ask MAGA for the phytosanitary or zoosanitary certificate that the destination market requires.Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y AlimentaciónValid 15 days, one consignmentOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
- File the customs declaration: a DUCA-F within Central America, or a DUCA-D with the DEPREX elsewhere; no customs agent is required.Superintendencia de Administración TributariaDEPREX valid 30 daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: VUPE, basic export requirements brochure, 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- If you export textiles, clothing or ICT services, apply to MINECO for the Decree 29-89 regime and its 10-year income tax exemption.Ministerio de EconomíaOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with MINECO and SAT. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
Ministry of economy
MINECO
Ministerio de Economía
Supports small companies, promotes investment, facilitates foreign trade, and runs the company and other public registries.
Visit MINECO (opens in a new tab)Source: MINECO, institutional description page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Central bank
Banguat
Banco de Guatemala
Publishes exchange rate, inflation and external sector statistics and sets monetary and exchange policy.
Visit Banguat (opens in a new tab)Source: Banguat, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Research markets
National statistics office
INE
Instituto Nacional de Estadística
Publishes Guatemala's official statistics, including the consumer price index and population data.
Visit INE (opens in a new tab)Source: INE, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Research markets
Multilateral trade body
WTO
World Trade Organization
Multilateral body
Hosts Guatemala's trade policy reviews, trade data and the Trade4MSMEs guides for small companies.
Visit WTO (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Guatemala member information page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
SAT
Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria
Runs tax and customs procedures, including exporter registration in its Virtual Agency and the customs declaration.
Visit SAT (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
- Meet requirements
Export single window
VUPE
Ventanilla Única para las Exportaciones
Issues exporter codes, export declarations, certificates of origin and non-tax permits online through its electronic system.
Visit VUPE (opens in a new tab)Source: VUPE, basic requirements to export (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
National quality system directorate
DSNC
Dirección del Sistema Nacional de la Calidad
Coordinates standardization, accreditation, metrology and technical regulations, including the voluntary Guatemalan technical standards.
Visit DSNC (opens in a new tab)Source: DSNC, national quality system home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Plant and animal health authority
MAGA
Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación
Inspects exports and issues the phytosanitary and zoosanitary certificates that destination markets ask for.
Visit MAGA (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
National coffee association
ANACAFÉ
Asociación Nacional del Café
Issues the coffee export and shipping permit and supports coffee growers and exporters.
Visit ANACAFÉ (opens in a new tab)Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
- Meet requirements
Forestry authority
INAB
Instituto Nacional de Bosques
Gives wood exporters the INAB certificate that wood products need before export.
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
Chamber of commerce
CCG
Cámara de Comercio de Guatemala
Offers members business advice and foreign trade services, and issues non-preferential certificates of origin.
Visit CCG (opens in a new tab)Source: VUPE, certificates of origin, July 2025 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 9, 2025
- Get advice
Bilateral chamber of commerce
AmCham Guatemala
AMCHAM Guatemala – Cámara de Comercio Guatemalteco-Americana
Runs trade and investment services, state profiles and CAFTA-DR consulting for companies linked to the United States.
Visit AmCham Guatemala (opens in a new tab)Source: AmCham Guatemala, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Get advice
Industry chamber
CIG
Cámara de Industria de Guatemala
Offers industrial companies member services, training and internationalization programs, and hosts industry guilds.
Visit CIG (opens in a new tab)Source: CIG, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Get advice
Business federation
CACIF
Comité Coordinador de Asociaciones Agrícolas, Comerciales, Industriales y Financieras
Brings together Guatemala's agricultural, commercial, industrial and financial business associations and publishes their positions.
Visit CACIF (opens in a new tab)Source: CACIF, home page (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
6. Worth knowing
United States tariffs on Guatemala
As of October 31, 2026, the United States applies a 10 percent Section 301 duty to products of Guatemala, except goods in the notice's annexes, including qualifying CAFTA-DR apparel.
What to do: Check your tariff heading against the notice's annexes and your CAFTA-DR claim before you quote a buyer.
Sources: Federal Register, Section 301 forced labor actions, July 2026 (opens in a new tab); USTR, United States-Guatemala reciprocal trade signing, January 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Logistics and border performance
As of 2025, per the WTO review, Guatemala's national single window for foreign trade was not yet in place, and its implementation date was extended to 2026.
What to do: Use VUPE for export documents now, and watch SAT notices for the national window.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Coffee export permit and charge
As of 2025, coffee exports need an ANACAFÉ export and shipping permit and pay a charge of 1 percent of the free-on-board value.
What to do: Register with ANACAFÉ before you book a coffee shipment.
Source: WTO, Trade Policy Review of Guatemala, Secretariat report, October 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2025
Rising consumer prices
Consumer prices rose 4.69 percent over the 12 months to September 2026, up from 1.65 percent in December 2025.
What to do: Review price clauses and cost assumptions in new contracts.
Source: Banguat, consumer price index table to September 2026 (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Guatemala project.
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Promote:Guatemala is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.