Ship A Container To Guatemala With AES Container Shipping Services

Ship a container to Guatemala with AES

If you are looking to ship a container to Guatemala from the US, look no further. AES container shipping services allow you to ship a container to Guatemala in a hassle-free and budget-friendly method. This guide will explain all the details you should know before you book your container shipment to Guatemala. 

What is container shipping?

In container shipping, and overseas shipping company transports your cargo in truck-size intermodal containers. The most common type of cargo is dry bulk which the shipping companies transport in containers. These dry shipping containers have different sizes and dimensions. The containers shipping companies mostly utilize for this purpose are 20’. 40’ high cube, 40’ standard, and open-top containers for shipping cars and all other types of cargo. 

Moreover, these containers are suitable only for shipping dry commodities like machinery or manufactured goods. However, in these containers, you cannot ship any item which requires refrigeration or ventilation. For example, you cannot use dry shipping containers for transporting perishable commodities. These containers are then loaded onto a container shipping vessel which safely transports your cargo to the destination country. When you ship a container to Guatemala with AES, we offer secure, fast, versatile, and reliable shipping services for your cargo needs.

What can you ship in a container to Guatemala?

Apart from a few prohibited items, you can ship almost anything in a container. Some people use container shipping for transporting vehicles to Guatemala. Similarly, people utilize containers for shipping machinery overseas. You can also choose to ship construction equipment to Guatemala as well. When you work with AES, you can ship all types of cargo including vehicles, machinery, heavy equipment, and parts, merchandise, building material, and cargo.

However, there are a few prohibited items that you cannot ship in a container to Guatemala at any cost. The government of Guatemala has prohibited the import of such items into the country. Some of the prohibited items include firearms, alcohol, explosives, chemicals, drugs, tobacco, money, animals, seeds, plants, and fresh food. As of now, these items are prohibited from shipping to Guatemala. However, the list of items can vary depending on the policies 

Routes to ship a container to Guatemala 

There are multiple routes that car shipping companies use to ship a container to Guatemala. Some of the popular shipping routes are listed below.

• Shipping from Florida to Guatemala
  • Origin: Jacksonville, Port Everglades, Port Tampa, Port Miami, Orlando
  • Destinations: Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Barrios, San Tomás de Castilla
• Shipping from Maryland to Guatemala
  • Origin: Baltimore
  • Destinations: Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Barrios, San Tomás de Castilla
• Shipping from Texas to Guatemala
  • Origin: Houston 
  • Destinations: Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Barrios, San Tomás de Castilla
• Shipping from New Jersey to Guatemala
  • Origin: Newark
  • Destinations: Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Barrios, San Tomás de Castilla

Transit time to ship a container to Guatemala

The transit time required to ship a container to Guatemala depends on the distance between the origin and destination ports. The route the shipping vessel takes will determine the transit time for your shipment. For instance, you can ship a container from Port Everglades to Santo Tomas de Castilla in just three days. On the other hand, it will take a shipping company around a month to ship a container from Savannah to Santo Tomas de Castilla. Therefore, the transit time to ship a container to Guatemala largely depends on the distance between origin and destination ports. 

How much does it cost to ship a container to Guatemala?

The cost to ship a container to Guatemala can start somewhere around $1500. The shipping price can go up to $4000 depending on the shipping distance and the cargo. Many factors affect the cost of shipping a container to Guatemala. Generally, the dimensions and weight of your cargo, the distance between origin and destination ports, and the type of container affect the shipping costs. Some of the important factors affecting the cost to ship a container to Guatemala are explained below.

Distance between origin and destination ports

The shipping distance is one of the main factors affecting the cost of shipping a car to Guatemala. For instance, the distance between Port Everglades to Santo Tomas de Castilla is less than a thousand nautical miles. Therefore, the container shipping costs between these two ports are less in comparison with other ports. 

Type of container shipping to Guatemala

The type of container shipping also affects the cost to ship a container to Guatemala. Suppose you want to ship a car in a container to Guatemala. Now, there are two options available for you. The first is LCL (Less than container load) container shipping wherein you share the space in a container. Therefore, you only pay for the space your cargo occupies in a container. On the other hand, you can also choose to ship your vehicle with FCL (full container load) container shipping. In FCL or private container shipping, you pay for the entire space in a container. Therefore, FCL shipping is more expensive than LCL container shipping.

Import fees and taxes for container shipping to Guatemala

When you ship a container to Guatemala, you have to pay the import fees and other taxes to the local customs authorities. U.S customs will allow the import only after you pay the due taxes and charges. For complete information about import fees and taxes, you can contact the Guatemala Embassy in the US.

Season of shipping

Shipping season also affects the cost of shipping a container overseas. The rates of container shipping are generally higher in August and September every year. Similarly, the shipping costs go up again in January and February. This increase in shipping costs is only due to a surge in demand for container shipping in these months. 

Currency

Another factor that influences the cost of shipping a container to Guatemala is the currency factor. The currency used for international transactions is the US dollar. So, the cost of shipping a container depends on the exchange rate at the time of shipment.

Marine insurance

Marine insurance is an optional cost. When you ship a container to Guatemala from the US, we highly recommend you include marine insurance. If you opt for marine insurance, your shipment will be secure and any damages received during the transit times will be compensated by the company. Marine insurance comes in handy during extreme weather conditions like hurricanes which endanger your shipments.

Required documents for shipping a container to Guatemala

When you ship a container to Guatemala, you will need the following documents: 

• Tax ID for organizations
• National ID for citizens
• Original car titles if you are shipping a car
• Weight of the merchandise 
• Bill of sale or commercial invoice
• Bill of lading
• A certificate of origin stamped by the chamber of commerce of the origin country
• Sanitary certificate if you are shipping food products in the container

Why choose AES for shipping a container to Guatemala?

At AES, we have more than 126 years of experience in the shipping industry. Therefore, we can make container shipping to Guatemala a pleasant experience for you. Below are some of the benefits you can get by working with AES for your shipping needs.

Dedicated Specialists

At AES, we have highly dedicated professionals who specialize in getting customs clearance for your shipments. These customs specialists have decades of experience in the shipping industry and declare thousands of shipments annually. 

Customs Paperwork

When you book a shipment with AES, you should forget about the customs paperwork as our professional team will handle that for you. With years of experience, they can ensure that you have the necessary paperwork for the shipment to go smoothly. Otherwise, a hasty declaration can sometimes lead to higher custom fees thereby increasing the overall cost of shipping.  

Customs Storage

When you work with AES, you can benefit from our customs storage services as well. This option is beneficial for many of our customers who intend to hold the imported items for a few days and pay the import taxes on their schedule. Moreover, you can also hold the imported items and choose to re-export them to another country.

Automated Updates when you ship a container to Guatemala with AES

We provide all of our customers with automated updates on their shipments. Moreover, we provide an automated exchange of information between all the parties involved in the shipment. As a result, we can reduce the wait times between this flow of information. Above all, we can also provide customs services when the main crossing points on the border are closed. 

FAQs about shipping a container to Guatemala

How much does it cost to ship a car overseas?

If you want to know the costs of shipping to South America or elsewhere, you have to consider multiple factors. The type of vehicle, the distance between origin and destination ports, type of container shipping, and import fees all affect the final quote for shipping a car overseas. Moreover, you should keep extra cash in hand for any unexpected costs like vehicle storage charges.  

Which container size suits my shipping needs?

If you are shipping dry bulk, you can choose from at least 4 different container sizes. The smallest container offers you a volume capacity of 1172 CFT whereas you get a volume capacity of 3122 CFT with the largest container size. These container sizes and volume capacities are relevant to you only if you choose FCL (full container shipping) or private container shipping. However, if you aim to ship small cargo, you can use LCL (less than container load) or shared shipping. Shared shipping will be an economical option for you as you pay for the container space only your cargo is using. 

Can AES help me with required documents to ship a container to Guatemala?

Yes, AES has decades of experience in overseas car shipping. Therefore, we understand the documentation requirements to ship a container to Guatemala. Moreover, due to expensive experience in documentation, our dedicated experts can get your shipment cleared from customs without any unnecessary delays. The documents required to ship a container to Guatemala depend on the nature of your cargo. For instance, if you are shipping a vehicle in a container to Guatemala, you need to give the original titles to the car shipping company. Similarly, you have to provide a sanitary certificate before you ship perishable food items in a container. Moreover, you should have a bill of lading, national ID, and certificate of origin before shipping a container to Guatemala.   

What is the width of a normal shipping container?

A standard ISO shipping container is 7 feet and 8 inches wide.

What is the average weight of a 20ft container?

Typically, a 20ft container has a weight between 1.8 to 2.2 metric tonnes.

What is the average weight of a 40ft container?

Typically, a 20ft container has a weight between 3.8 to 4.2 metric tonnes.

How many cars can I ship in a container to Guatemala?

The number of cars in a shipping container depends upon the size of the container and the cars. For instance, a 40-foot shipping container can accommodate 4 Sedans or SUVs. 

Is my car safe when I ship it in a container to Guatemala?

Shipping containers provide an extra layer of security to the vehicles during the shipping process. This is especially true in the case of luxury or classic cars which are susceptible to getting damaged from harsh weather conditions. In short, there is a very low risk of your car getting damaged in container shipping when compared with other shipping options like RoRo shipping.