G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
18 March 2019 
(19-1677) Page: 1/11 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 1.4 OF THE  
AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM GUATEMALA  
The following communication, dated 1 3 March 2 019, is being circulated at the request of Guatemala 
for Members ' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Guatemala  hereby makes the following notifications in accordance with Article 1.4 of the Agreement 
on Trade Facilitation (WT/L/931) . 
 
Article 1, paragraph 4  
 
(a) The official place(s) where the items in subparagraphs 1.1(a) to (j) have been 
published:  
 
1.1 (a) Procedures for importation, exportation, and transit (including port, airport, and other 
entry -point procedures), and required forms and documents : 
 
Tax Administration Supervisory Authority 
(SAT):  SAT is the competent authority for the  
collection of taxes  generated by foreign trade, in 
particular  taxes generated through the national 
customs service.  Customs Directorate  Manual of Procedures  
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/manual -de-
procedimientos -de-la-intendencia -de-aduanas  
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food 
(MAGA):  MAGA is the co mpetent authority for 
the control of foreign trade in  agricultural 
products , hydrobiological resources and 
unprocessed  foods , and for the  control, 
supervision and surveillance of quality and safety 
in the production, importation, exportation , 
transportation, registration, supply and use of 
pesticides and fertilizers.  Regulations , procedures, flow charts, protocols  and 
technical documents relating to imports, exports 
and transit:  
https://v isar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=10977  
Single window for imports : 
http://portal.maga.gob.gt/vudi -web 
Single window for exports : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=6749  
Guatemala -Honduras  Custom Union  (Services and 
rates, SPS notification system , list of phytosanitary 
product consignments, list of animal health product  
consignments , legal basis ): 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=9040  
Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare 
(MSPAS):  MSPAS is the competent authority for 
the control and regulation of medicines and 
related products, cosmetics and toilet 
preparations, prepared foodstuffs and controlled 
chemicals .  Government Decision  No. 712-99. Regulation on 
the sanitary control of medicines and related 
products : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/legi
slacion -vigente/acuerdos  G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 2 - 
  MSPAS (cont 'd) Technical Standard No. 2-2014 for enterprises 
engaged in activities related to narcotics, 
psychotropic  substances  and precursor chemicals 
(Schedule s I and II). Article 6. Requests for 
import/export certificates : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/legi
slacion -vigente/normas -tecnicas?start=40  
Technical Standard No. 15-2014 for enterprises 
engaged in activities involving chemical substances  
from Schedule III . Article 8. Procedure for 
obtaining import authorization : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/legi
slacion -vigente/normas -tecnicas?start=40  
 
Technical Standard No. 26-2016. Proced ures for 
the issuance of import permits : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/legi
slacion -vigente/normas -tecnicas?limitstart=0  
Forms for the importation  of medicines and related 
products : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/for
mularios/importaciones  
Forms for the importation and exportation of 
controlled substances:  
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/for
mularios/manejo -de-sustancias  
Online management of cosmetics and other 
(related ) toilet preparations : 
http://importaciones.mspas.gob.gt/regulacion  
 
Forms for food import s: 
https://www.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/servicios/con
trol-de-alimentos/formularios  
Minist ry of the Economy (MINECO) : MINECO 
is the competent authority for foreign trade.  Proce dures , requirements and necessary 
documentation for various import and export  
formalities  ("Así se hace  - eRegulations 
Guatemala ": http://asisehace.gt ) 
 
Specific procedures : 
 
General procedure for imports : 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/148/143?l=es  
 
Importation of non -controlled medicines : 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/147/145?l=es  
 
Importation of controlled medicines : 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/149/146?l=es  
 
Importa tion of medicines by end users : 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/151/148?l=es  
 
Importation of processed foods : 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/150/149?l=es  
 
Procedure to obtain tariff quota certificates from 
the Directorate of Foreign Trade Administration 
(DACE ): 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/154/153?l=es  G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 3 - 
   
MINECO (cont 'd) Importa tion of pyrotechnic devices : 
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/157/152?l=es  
 
Registr ation of importers at the National Forestry 
Institute (INAB):  
http://asisehace.gt/procedure/156/154?l=es  
 
Other foreign trade procedures (importation and 
exportation ): 
http://asisehace.gt/menu/255?l=es  
 
Ministry of Energy and Mining  (MEM) : MEM is 
the competent authority that regulates the 
importation, exportation and transportation of 
radioactive material and  equipment generating 
ionizing radiation for industrial use . It also 
regulates the importation, exportation and 
transportation of  hydrocarbons and oil 
derivatives.  Foreign trade in radioactive substances and 
equipment that uses radiation (radiological 
protection and safety ): 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/energia/proteccion -y-
seguridad -radiologica  
 
Foreign trade in hydrocarbons and equipment for 
the transportation and packaging of hydrocarbons 
(window for t he issuance of hydrocarbon licences ): 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/hidrocarburos/ventanilla -
de-emision -de-licencias  
 
Proced ures related to licensing for the importation, 
expor tation and transportation of radioactive 
material and equipment generating ionizing 
radiation for medical use (unsealed sources ), 
dental diagnostics and industrial use : 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/energia/proteccion -y-
seguridad -radiologica/medicina -nuclear  
 
Proced ures for use in dental diagnostics : 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/energia/proteccion -y-
seguridad -radiologica/rayos -x-diagnostico -dental  
 
Proced ures for industrial use : 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/energia/prot eccion -y-
seguridad -radiologica/area -industrial  
 
Forms:  
http://www.mem.gob.gt/hidrocarburos/ventanilla -
de-emision -de-licencias/formularios  
 
Requirements : 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/hidrocarburos/ventanilla -
de-emision -de-licencias/requisitos  
 G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 4 - 
  Ministry of the Environment and Natural 
Resources (MARN) : MARN is the competent 
authority for the issuance of licences for the 
importation and exportation of products, 
substances  and raw materials with an 
environmental  impact, and licences for the 
importation of refrigeration and air -conditioning 
equipment.  Environme ntal licences : 
http://www.marn.gob.gt/paginas/Licencias_Ambien
tales 
 
Import and export licences, registration of 
importers  and exporters , and registration  renewal : 
http://www.marn.gob.gt/paginas/Licencias_de_Im
portacin_o_Exportacin_de_Productos_Sustancias_y
_Materias_Primas  
 
Licences for the importation and exportation of 
refrigeration and air -conditioning equipment, 
importation of alternative refrigerants and 
substan ces that deplete the ozone layer, importer 
registration , and licence renewal : 
http://www.marn.gob.gt/paginas/Licencia_de_Imp
ortación_de_Equipos_de_Refrigeración_y_Aire_Aco
ndicionado  
 
Ministry of National Defence  (MDN) : The 
MDN is the competent authority, through the 
Directorate -General  for the Control of Arms and 
Munitions  (DIGECAM ), for the regulation of the 
importation, exportation and transit of arms  and 
munitions in Guatemala . Importation of arms and munitions : 
http://www.digecam.mil.gt/web/servicios.php  
 
Licence reques t forms : 
 
Licence s for the importation of firearms for 
individuals : 
http://www.digecam.mil.gt/web/tramitesdigecam.p
hp?id_tramite=TVRVPQ  
 
Licence s for the importation of firearms for 
embassies : 
http://www.digecam.mil.gt/web/tramitesdigecam.p
hp?id_tramite=TWpZPQ  
 
Licences for the temporary transfer and transit 
through  Guatemalan territory of arms and 
munitions : 
http://www.digecam.mil.gt/web/tramitesdigecam.p
hp?id_tramite=TWpnPQ  
 
Modification of licences for the importation of arms : 
http://www.digecam.mil.gt/web/tramitesdigecam.p
hp?id_tramite=TXpJPQ  
 
Licences for the importation of firearms for 
business owners : 
http://www.digecam.mil.gt/web/tramitesdigecam.p
hp?id_tramite=TWprPQ  
 
 
1.1 (b) Applied rates of duties and taxes of any kind imposed on or in connection with importation 
or exportation:  
 
SAT Integrated tariff : 
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/arancel -integrado  
 
MINECO  Preferential tariffs  resulting from international trade 
agreements : 
https://www.mineco.gob.gt/aranceles -
preferenciales  
 
 G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 5 - 
  1.1 (c) Fees and charges imposed by or for governmental agencies on or in connection with 
importation, exportation or transit:  
 
SAT Excise duties : 
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/arancel -integra do 
 
MSPAS  Fees for services provided by the departments of 
the Directorate -General of Health Regulation, 
Surveillance and Control : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/ara
nceles/boleta -de-pago 
 
Approved f ees for processed foods : 
https://www.mspas.gob.gt/images/files/drca/actu ali
zacionregistro/AG2972006aranceles.pdf  
 
MAGA  Fees for the issuance of permits and authorizations 
for imports, inspection services and quarantine 
services : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=10977  
 
Duties levied  in the context of the Guatemala -
Honduras Customs Union : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=9040  
 
Signatures of professionals belonging to the College 
of Veterinary Surgeons and Animal Husbandry 
Specialists  (See "Guía de Cobros por Servicios 
Profesionales " (Guide to Fees for Professional 
Services )): 
http://www.cmvz.org.gt/web/guest/documentacion
?p_p_id=110_INSTANCE_5DYi&p_p_action=0&p_p_
state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=col
umn-
1&p_p_col_pos=0&p_p_col_count=1&_110_INSTAN
CE_5DYi_struts_action=%2Fdocument_library_dis pl
ay%2Fview&_110_INSTANCE_5DYi_folderId=24167
62) 
 
Fees for veterinary  surgeon  and animal  technician 
stamp s (Law on  Veterinary  Surgeon  and Animal  
Technician Stamps ): 
http://www.cmvz.org.gt/w eb/guest/leyes -del-
colegio  
 
Fees for agricultural  engineer stamp s (Law on 
Agricultural  Engineer Stamps ): 
http://ciag.org.gt/marco -legal-ciag 
 
MEM  Rules  relating to fees for  the issuance of licences 
and authorizations: 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/energia/proteccion -y-
seguridad -radiologica/marco -regulador  
 
Fees: 
http://www.mem.gob.gt/wp -
content/uploads/2015/05/ACUERDO -MINISTERIAL -
208-2016-ARANCEL -DGE.pdf  
 
 G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 6 - 
  1.1 (d) Rules for the classification or valuation of products for customs  purposes:  
 
SAT Classification and valuation of goods:  
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/valoracion -y-
clasificacion -de-las-mercancias  
 
 
1.1 (e) Laws, regulations  and administrative rulings of general application relating to rules of origin:  
 
SAT Rules of origin : 
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/acuerdos -y-
tratados -internacionales  
 
MINECO  Regulations and provisions concerning rules of 
origin in international  trade agreements in force for 
Guatemala : 
http://www.mineco.gob.gt/tratados -vigentes  
 
Specific information : 
• Templates for certificates of origin 
(downloadable ) from all trade agreements in 
force 
• Rules of origin  from all trade agreements in 
force 
• Specific rules of origin from all trade 
agreements in force  
• Technical opinions on origin : 
http://www.mineco.gob.gt/opiniones -
t%C3%A9cnicas -de-origen  
• Verifications of origin : 
http://www.mineco.gob.gt/verifica ciones -de-
origen  
• Statistics relating to  origin : 
http://www.mineco.gob.gt/casos -de-origen  
 
 
1.1 (f) Import, export or transit restrictions or prohibitions:  
 
SAT Import , export or transit restrictions:  
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/catalogo -de-
permisos -no-arancelarios  
 
Integrated tariff search tool:  
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/arancel -integrado  
 
MSPAS  Special requirements relating to  the Sanitary 
Reference Register  (Articles  32, 37,  55, 62, 63, 64 
and 65 of Government Decision No. 969-99 
establishing food safety regulations ): 
https://www.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/compo nent/j
downloads/send/261 -infracciones -sanitarias/2123 -
regimen -sancionatorio -restricciones -prohibiciones -
y-procedimientos -de-recurso -o-revision  
 
Unauthorized active substances for medicinal 
products : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/con
sultas/principios -activos -no-autorizados -para-
comercializacion -en-guatemala  
 G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 7 - 
  MSPAS (cont 'd) Chemical substances from Schedule III  of the 
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) - 
Annual import quota : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/phocadownloa
d/F-SI-o-01.pdf  
 
Technical Standard  No. 15-2014 for enterprises 
engaged in activities involving chemicals substances  
from Schedule III : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/legi
slacion -vigente/normas -tecnicas?limitstart=0  
 
MAGA  Restrictions and prohi bitions for products of animal 
origin, agrochemical products and substances for 
veterinary use : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=10977  
 
Specific prohibitions for the marketing of 
unprocessed natural foods : 
 
• Health Code . Decree No. 90-97. Book II. Title I. 
Chapter V. F oods and food establishments and 
outlets . 
• Regulation on food safety . Government Decision 
No. 969-99. Title III. Chapter  II. Article 16. 
• Regulation on food safety . Government Decision 
No. 969-99. Title IV. Single Chapter . Article 22. 
• Regulation on the health inspection and 
monitoring of slaughterhouses , deboning plants 
and warehouses for bovine meat products . 
Government Decision No. 384-2010. 
Chapter  XVIII: Prohibi tions and penalties . 
• Regulation on slaughterhouses for bovine 
animals, s wine and poultry . Government 
Decision No. 411-2002. Chapter X. P rohibi tions 
and penalties . 
• Regulation on the granting of health licences  for 
the operation of facilities  engaged in activities 
relating to unprocessed foods of plant origin 
and products and by -products thereof, and for 
the transport, import and export of  such 
products . Government Decision No. 72-2003. 
Chapter  VIII. Article 18. 
• Health Regulation on the operation of 
establishments engaged in the processing of  
hydrobiological products . Government Decision 
No. 343-2005. Title VIII. Single Chapter . 
Obligations, offences and penalties . 
• Provisions applicable  to all persons engaged in 
the production, collection, processing, 
packaging, storage and marketing of apiculture 
products within national territory . Ministerial 
Decision No. 169-2012. Title VII. Prohibitions 
and penalties . 
• Rules on obtaining health  licences  for the 
operation of milking parlours, collection centres 
and modes of transport for raw milk . Ministerial  
Decision No. 427-2005. Chapter IV. 
Prohibi tions. G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 8 - 
  MAGA (cont 'd) The indicated regulations can be found under the 
heading "Normativas " (Regulations) at:  
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=10977  
 
1.1 (g) Penalty provisions for breaches of import, export or transit formalities:  
 
SAT Proce dure for the application of the penalties 
regulated by the National Customs Law , for 
breaches of import, export or transit formalities : 
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/sanciones -
aplicables -a-la-importacion -exportacion -o-transito  
 
MSPAS  Fines and penalties imposed for health -related 
penalties  (Health Code,  Articles  219 and 239(1): 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/le
gislacion -vigente/decretos  
 
Penalties imposed  according to type of offence : 
1. Fine: Articles 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 and 228 
of the Health Code ; 2. T emporary closure of 
establishment ; and Penalties for violations of the  
Health Code : 
https://www.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/component
/jdownloads/sen d/261 -infracciones -
sanitarias/2123 -regimen -sancionatorio -
restricciones -prohibiciones -y-procedimientos -de-
recurso -o-revision  
 
MAGA  Penalties relating to the marketing of 
unprocessed natural foods:  
• Health Code . Decree No. 90-97. Book III. 
Single title . Chapters  I and II. Health-related 
offences and penalties . 
• Regulation on food safety . Government 
Decision No. 969-99. Title X. A rticle 71. 
• Regulation on the health inspection and 
monitoring of slaughterhouses,  deboning 
plants and warehouses for bovine meat 
products . Government Decision 
No. 384-2010. Chapter XVIII : Prohibitions 
and penalties . 
• Regulation on slaughterhouses for bovine 
animals, swine and poultry . Government 
Decision No. 411-2002. Chapter X. 
Prohibitions and penalties . 
• Regulation on the granting of health licences  
for the operation of facilities  engaged in 
activities relating to unprocessed foods of 
plant origin and products and by -products 
thereof , and for the transport, import and 
export of such products . Government Decision 
No. 72-2003. Chapter  VIII. Article 19. G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 9 - 
  MAGA (cont 'd) • Health Regulation on the operation of 
establishments engaged in the processing of 
hydrobiological products . Government 
Decision No. 343-2005. Title VIII . Single 
Chapter . Obligations, offences and penalties.  
• Provisions applicable  to all persons engaged 
in the production, collection, processing, 
packaging, storage and marketing of 
apiculture products within national territory . 
Ministerial  Decision No. 169-2012. Title VII . 
Prohibitions and penalties.  
• Rules on ob taining health licences for the 
operation of milking parlours, collection 
centres and modes of transport for raw milk . 
Ministerial Decision No. 427-2005. 
Chapter  VI. Article 15.  
 
The indicated regulations can be found under the 
heading " Normativas " (Regulations) at:  
https://visar.maga.gob.gt  
 
 
1.1 (h) Procedures for appeal or review:  
 
SAT Customs appeals : 
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/recursos -
aduaneros  
 
MSPAS  Appeals for reversal , Article 240 of the Health 
Code (Decre e No. 90-97 of the Congress of the 
Republic ) and the Administrative Disputes Act : 
https://www.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/component
/jdownloads/sen d/261 -infracciones -
sanitarias/2123 -regimen -sancionatorio -
restricciones -prohibiciones -y-procedimientos -de-
recurso -o-revision  
 
MAGA  Appeal and review procedures relating to the 
marketing of unprocessed natural foods : 
• Health Code . Decree No. 90-97. Book III. 
Single title . Chapter  III. Article 238. 
• Health Regulation on the operation of 
establishments engaged in the processing of 
hydrobiological products . Government 
Decision No. 343-2005. Title VIII . 
Single Chapter . Obligations, offences and 
penalties.  
 
The indicated regulations can be found under the 
heading " Normativas " (Regulations) at:  
https://visar.maga.gob.gt  
 
 G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
- 10 - 
  1.1 (i) Agreements or parts thereof with any country or countries relating to importation, 
exportation, or transit:  
 
SAT Agreements or parts thereof with any country or 
countries relating to importation, exportation, or 
transit:  
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/acuerdos -y-
tratados -internacionales  
 
MSPAS  Resolu tions of the  Council of Ministers for Central 
American Economic Integration (COMIECO) on 
the registration of medicines : 
https://medicamentos.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/le
gislacion -vigente/resoluciones -comieco  
 
For processed foods : 
https://www.mspas.gob.gt/index.php/component
/jdownloads/category/252 -control -de-
alimentos?Itemid= -1 
 
MINECO  International trade agreements in  force for 
Guatemala : 
http://www.mineco.gob.gt/tratados -vigentes  
 
Procedures and instructions for preferential tariff 
quotas : 
https:/ /contingentesarancelarios.mineco.gob.gt  
 
Resolutions of the Council of Ministers for Central 
American Economic Integration (COMIECO ) 
regulating certain international trade operations : 
https://www.sieca.int/index.php/integracion -
economica/instrumentos -juridicos/actos -
administrativos/consejo -de-ministros -de-
integracion -economica/resoluci ones 
 
Process of deep integration towards the free 
movement of goods and persons between 
Guatemala and Honduras : 
https://www.mineco.gob.gt/node/235  
 
MAGA  • Procedures carried out within the Guatemala -
Honduras Customs Union:  
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=9040  
 
• Phytosanitary requirements for exports to the 
United States : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/visar/2017/18/req
EEUU17jl.pdf  
 
• Single window for imports : 
http://portal.maga.gob.gt/vudi -web 
 
• Wood packaging  register : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=4511  
 
• Trade facilitation procedures : 
https://visar.maga.gob.gt/?page_id=10977  
 
 G/TFA/N/GTM/2  
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  1.1 (j) Procedures relating to the administration of tariff quotas;  
 
SAT Information on quotas, permits and pro hibitions 
available through the integrated tariff search tool:  
https://portal.sat.gob.gt/portal/arancel -integrado  
 
MINECO  Proced ures relating to the administration of tariff 
quotas : 
https://contingentesarancelarios.mineco.gob.gt  
 
Rules for the administration  of free trade 
agreement quotas  
https://contingentesarancelarios.mineco.gob.gt/a
cuerdoscomerciales  
 
Rules for the administration of quotas within the 
WTO framework 
https://contingentesarancelarios.mineco.gob.gt/a
cuerdoscomerciales  
 
Online registration form for tariff quota 
certificates  
https://contingentesara ncelarios.mineco.gob.gt/si
gnup 
 
 
__________