Frequently Asked Questions

General Cargo International Group is here to help you with all your logistics and transportation needs.

For any inquiries about our services, personalized quotes, or shipment assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

You can call us, email us, or complete the contact form, and one of our specialists will respond as soon as possible.

Additionally, our offices in Guatemala and Florida are always available to assist you in person.

We are committed to providing you with efficient solutions and exceptional service!

Fiscal Warehouse

What is a bonded warehouse and how does it work?

A bonded warehouse is a storage facility where your imported goods can remain under customs control before being cleared for consumption. In our bonded warehouse, your goods are safe, and you can enjoy storage without having to pay duties until the goods are removed and nationalized.

How long can I store my products in the bonded warehouse without additional costs?

We offer free storage for 45 days at our warehouse in the United States. After this period, storage fees will apply. Contact us using our contact form to receive details about our storage services.

Can I monitor my merchandise while it is in the bonded warehouse?

Yes, we have cargo monitoring systems that allow you to track your merchandise at all times. We also offer photos and videos of your pallets or boxes at no additional cost.

Customs Agency

How does General Cargo International Group help me with customs procedures?

We handle the entire customs clearance process, ensuring that your cargo complies with Guatemalan customs regulations. Our team of customs experts is here to facilitate the process and reduce clearance times.

What documents do I need for my merchandise to clear customs?

To facilitate the customs process, you’ll need a commercial invoice, a cargo manifest, and, depending on the type of merchandise, other specific documents. Our team will assist you in gathering the appropriate documentation.

How can I get a quote for customs clearance?

You can use our contact form to request an estimate of the costs associated with customs clearance for your merchandise. Just enter your shipment details and we’ll provide you with a clear and competitive quote.

Do I have to handle customs procedures?

No, that’s one of the main services offered by General Cargo International Group.

How does the administrative process work at General Cargo when receiving cargo?
  1. Tax Calculation (Customs)
  2. Application and payment of taxes (policies)
  3. Policy Authorization (Document Analyst)
  4. Assemble games to present at Customs, until 2 p.m. (Inspector)
  5. Presentation and processing by Air Express, until 3 p.m. (Air Processor)
  6. Policies Report release and Transportation Request (Air Processor)
  7. Operations report for Warehouse Entry (Transportation)
  8. Transfer to Billing of complete stationery (Operations)
  9. Delivery Confirmation (Operations)
  10. Sending invoices to Transport (Courier)
  11. Departure of Air Express Trucks
  12. Sorting of loads for delivery, until 4 p.m.

Local Transport

Do you offer local transportation services once the cargo has arrived in Guatemala?

Yes, we offer safe and efficient local transportation to move your cargo from the port or airport to your final destination in Guatemala, whether it’s a warehouse, factory, or distribution center.

What types of local transportation do you offer?

We offer flexible transportation solutions, including truckload transport for palletized cargo, bulk cargo, and dedicated services for specific needs. Contact our advisors for customized options.

Courier and Air Cargo

How does your courier service from the United States to Guatemala work?

Our courier service allows you to send packages from the United States to Guatemala quickly and securely. Simply submit your shipment to our system, attaching your invoice or purchase receipt, and we’ll take care of everything, from receipt at our warehouse to final delivery in Guatemala.

 

How can I get a price for my courier shipment?

You can use our online quote tool to get an instant quote. Enter the weight, value, and duty category, and we’ll show you the exact shipping cost and taxes you’ll pay upon receipt of your shipment.

 

How long does it take for my shipment to arrive by courier?

Transit time depends on the origin and shipping conditions, but courier deliveries from the United States to Guatemala typically take between 6 and 10 business days. You can track your shipment in real time with our online tracking tools.

How do I consign and ship my cargo?

Your Name/General Cargo International Group
11013 NW 30th Street
Suite 100
Doral, FL
33172
Phone: (305) 513-0156

How do I pay for my shipment or service?

Payment is made upon delivery of the product, by check or bank transfer.

How to buy online?
  1. Visit the website of the store you want to buy from. We recommend stores that accept credit cards issued in Guatemala, such as Amazon.com, Sephora, BH Photo, etc.
  2. Select the desired products and add them to your shopping cart.
  3. Select the checkout icon to complete your purchase. Each store’s system varies slightly, but they’ll always ask for the same information:
    1. For purchases: Enter the cardholder’s full name, address and phone number from the credit card statements, card issuer (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), full credit card number, credit card expiration date, and your CVV security code (located on the back of the card).
    2. For shipping: Enter Your name/General Cargo International Group, colocar la dirección de nuestras bodegas en Miami, y ocasionalmente piden un número de teléfono.
  4. Review your order and complete the transaction.
  5. Save the invoice as PDF and send it to us at info@generalcargointl.com so we can present it to customs here in Guatemala.
What do billing and shipping addresses mean?
  1. Billing address is the billing address registered with the credit or debit card issuer in Guatemala; that is, the address where card statements arrive.
  2. Shipping address is the delivery address, in this case, that of General Cargo International Group, to which the product is shipped in Miami, FL.
How does the Air Cargo process work?
  1. Creation and Entry of WR (Miami)
  2. Email Report (Customer Service Guatemala)
  3. Call to confirm receipt of report (Customer Service Guatemala)
  4. Confirmation by the client before 12 m. (Customer Service Guatemala)
  5. Transfer of Invoices and WRS to Operations 3:30 m. (Customer Service Guatemala)
  6. Electronic transmission of manifest 4 a.m. (Courier Processor)
  7. Arrival of plane to Guatemala City 3 a.m. (Airline)
  8. Delivery to Import Warehouse in Combex 4:30 a.m. – 6 a. m. (Airline)
  9. Tax Calculation (Customs)
  10. Application and payment of taxes (policies)
  11. Policy Authorization (Document Analyst)
  12. Put together games to present at Customs 11 a.m. (Reviewer)
  13. Presentation and Processing by Air Express 12:30 p.m. (Air Processor)
  14. Policies Report release and Transportation Request (Air Processor)
  15. Operations report for Warehouse Entry (Transportation)
  16. Transfer to Billing of complete stationery (Operations)
  17. Delivery Confirmation (Operations)
  18. Sending invoices to Transport (Courier)
  19. Departure of Air Express Trucks
  20. Classification of loads for delivery

How does the courier reception system work at the Miami warehouse?
  1. Creation and Entry of WR (Miami)
  2. Report by email or fax (Customer Service Guatemala)
  3. Call to confirm receipt of report (Customer Service Guatemala)
  4. Confirmation by the customer before 12 a.m. (Customer Service Guatemala)
  5. Invoice Transfer Courier Processor 3 a.m. (Customer Service Guatemala)
  6. Electronic transmission of manifest 3 a.m. (Courier Processor)
  7. Arrival of plane to Guatemala City 3 a.m. (Airline)
  8. Delivery to Bodega Courier in Combex 3:30 a.m. – 5 a. m. (Airline)
  9. SAT inspection and capacity start at 7:30 a.m.
  10. Consolidated Courier (CIF value less than $1,000.00)
  11. Data Entry for Courier Billing (Courier Processor)
  12. Billing 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Billing)
  13. Delivery confirmation 12 p.m. (Operations)
  14. Sending Invoices to Transport
  15. Route creation and delivery start at 2 p.m. (Transport)

LCL/FCL Sea Cargo

What is the difference between LCL and FCL cargo?
  • LCL (Less than Container Load) means you share a container with other cargo, ideal for small shipments.
  • FCL (Full Container Load) is when your merchandise occupies a full container, recommended for larger or specialized shipments.
How do I get a quote for an LCL or FCL ocean shipment?

Our online quote tool automatically calculates ocean freight costs from various international ports. Simply enter your cargo details, the port of origin and destination, and you’ll receive an instant quote.

What are the international ports from which they operate?

We manage shipments from ports in the United States, Panama, Chile, Colombia, México and Asia to Guatemala. You can obtain detailed cost information through our online quote tool.

What should I consider when choosing between LCL and FCL?

The decision between LCL and FCL depends on the size of your shipment and the urgency of delivery. For smaller, less urgent shipments, LCL is more cost-effective. FCL is ideal for large volumes or goods that require a dedicated container. Our team can advise you based on your needs.

How does the ocean freight process work?

It works like this:

  1. Creation and Entry of WR (Miami)
  2. Email Report (Customer Service Guatemala)
  3. Call to confirm receipt of report (Customer Service Guatemala)
  4. Confirmation by the customer 48 hours before each departure (Customer Service Guatemala)
  5. Creation of B/LS (Operations)
  6. Transfer of invoices, WRS, and B/LS to the Maritime Marginal on the same day each sailing closes. (Operations)
  7. Creation of a TO/Transfer Policy. (Maritime Marginalizer)
  8. Delivery of paperwork for review and subsequent shipment to the port the day after the ship’s departure. (Reviewer)
  9. Reception of paperwork at the port for early clearance, followed by physical inspection of the container. (Port Processor)
  10. The day after the container arrives at the port, it is physically inspected by the SAT (Port Processor).
  11. 1 to 2 days after the container is inspected at the port, it is released and dispatched to the warehouse 4 a. m. (Shipping Company)
  12. Container entry to the warehouse at 12 p. m.
  13. Unloading of container begins, takes approximately 2 hours, 3 p.m.
  14. Review and classification against manifest.
  15. Tax Calculation (Customs)
  16. Application and payment of taxes (policies)
  17. Policy Authorization (Document Analyst)
  18. Put together documentation sets to present at Customs
  19. Presentation and Processing at the Warehouse (Maritime Processor)
  20. Report of Released Policies and Transportation Request (Maritime Processor)
  21. Report to Operations for Billing (Transportation)
  22. Billing
  23. Confirmation of receipt of merchandise by the customer (Operations)
  24. Classification of loads for delivery.

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How does the paperwork process for port consolidation work?
  1. Classification and preparation of TO or DA depends on the regime used
  2. Shipping to Port of Invoices, BLS, P/LS, of course the TO.
  3. ATC is requested
  4. View assignment is requested in case it is Red
  5. If it’s red, the review is done on the same day the documents are received, at the port, as long as the processor is able to speed up the process.
  6. If it is Green, you just have to wait for the release and then you will start queuing to leave the port and go to the shipping company’s premises.
  7. Once released, whatever the selective was, the convoy goes on the 4 a. m.,to the shipping company’s premises to check the registration and remove the padlock with which it left the port and heads to Storage.
  8. Having already made the quota letter 1 day before, the container enters and the pilot delivers documents to the Storage staff who seal the TO
  9. The policy, a copy of the pilot’s license and ATC if it is green are delivered to the SAT department.
  10. If it is red, you will also be given a copy of the vehicle registration change receipt.
  11. We proceed to unload and tally
  12. The customs clearance process begins
  13. Times and Frequencies in Maritime Service
  14. Closing is Tuesday at noon.
  15. Leaving Florida on Thursday
  16. Arrives to Puerto Santo Tomás de Castilla on Sunday
  17. Total transit time 4 days
  18. Processing in Puerto Santo Tomás takes 2 to 3 days, with clearance from customs.
  19. It leaves Puerto Santo Tomás to the warehouse on Thursday, and is unloaded.
  20. Policies are submitted on Friday for review and subsequent release.
  21. The receipt of the merchandise is confirmed with the client.

Taxes

How to register in the Importers Registry?
  1. Request access to Banca SAT through your bank.
  2. Review and update the tax address of the company with which you will register as an importer.
  3. Submit the request online through Banca SAT using form SAT-101.
  4. SAT confirms your address and then sends you a document containing a code that allows you to register in the importer registry, using form SAT-901.
  5. You can then log in to the BancaSAT portal with your password, which confirms you as an importer.
How much tax does the cargo pay?

Depending on the product you are shipping via courier or cargo, please contact us using our contact form here, by email at info@generalcargointl.com, or by calling PBX 2295-6200.

Are taxes included in the service fee offered by General Cargo International Group?

No, taxes are calculated according to the tariff, depending on the product. To obtain information on your courier orders, you can visit our quote tool. If you have questions about the tax amount your product will pay, you can contact us using our contact form here or by calling PBX 2295-6200.