Guatemalan Exporters Face $6.5 Million Surcharge Amid Port Congestion Dispute

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemalan exporters are bracing for an estimated $6.5 million economic blow as international shipping lines implement a $200 surcharge per container from July to December. The shipping companies cite alleged congestion at the Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla as the reason for the additional fee. AGEXPORT, the Guatemalan Association of Exporters, estimates that over 32,000 containers will be affected by this measure. Representatives from the sector have voiced strong concerns regarding the lack of transparency behind the new charges, warning that they could jeopardize the country's competitiveness. Tulio García of the Agricultural Sector Board criticized the imposition of charges without technical justification or prior dialogue. Eduardo Castro, Director of AGEXPORT, highlighted that freight costs already account for 25% to 30% of the final price of agricultural products, and Guatemala already faces higher tariffs compared to regional competitors like Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ecuador. Castro also noted that while container loading and unloading services are not charged, a daily penalty is now being applied to containers that are ready for withdrawal but remain at the port, effectively being used as a "patio." Gonzalo Salguero, also from the Agricultural Sector Board, recalled that pre-pandemic shipping costs for a 40-foot refrigerated container were around $4,500, which surged to $10,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the importance of supporting rural associations across the country, including those in former conflict areas, to improve their living conditions through export opportunities. José Adalberto de la Peña Aguilar, President of EMPORNAC, asserted that the Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla possesses sufficient capacity to handle current cargo volumes, indicating that congestion should not be a basis for additional tariffs. He also pointed out that despite a 40% drop in oil prices since January, the "bunker charge" (a fuel surcharge) has not seen a corresponding reduction, remaining at approximately $600 per container. AGEXPORT maintains that the current logistical challenges underscore a deeper structural need for legislative action to boost agricultural productivity and fortify Guatemala's export supply chain.