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Directory / Guatemala

Distilleries and liquor manufacturers in Guatemala

17 producers listed, including 6 bulk or neutral spirit.

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Guatemala at a glance

Population
18.7 million (2025)
GDP
US$123.3 billion (2025)
GDP per person
US$6,598 (2025)
Capital
Guatemala City
Currency
Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ)
Languages
Spanish (Mayan languages, Garifuna recognised)
Alcohol status
legal
Legal drinking age
18 for on- and off-premise sales of all beverages (WHO 2018 country profile, status 2016: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/substances-abuse/GTM.pdf)
Alcohol per adult
2.9 litres of pure alcohol a year (2022, WHO)
Spirits imports
US$39.7 million (2024); mainly from United Kingdom, Mexico, USA, France
Spirits exports
US$51.4 million (2024); mainly to El Salvador, United Kingdom, USA, Mexico
Import duty on spirits
Standard (MFN) rate 2023: whisky 0.0%; vodka 0.0%; rum 0.0%; gin 0.0%
Excise on spirits
8.5% excise on distilled alcoholic beverages (ad valorem; no per-litre rate given on the page) (2026)
Traveller allowance
1.5 litres of alcohol duty-free for travellers aged 18+; secondary source citing SAT Aduanas - confirm before travel.
Popular brands
Gallo (Cerveceria Centro Americana), Ron Zacapa Centenario (Rum Creation & Products (Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala; Diageo 50% since 2011))
Major producers
Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, Cerveceria Centro Americana
The market
Beer (56%) and spirits (42%) make up almost all recorded consumption (2016). Gallo, made by Cervecería Centro Americana, is described as Guatemala's oldest continually produced beer (founded 1896). Ron Zacapa is made by Rum Creation & Products, a subsidiary of Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala; Diageo bought a 50% stake in 2011 and markets it. Reported spirits (HS 2208) imports were USD 39.7 million in 2024 (UK and Mexico lead) and exports USD 51.4 million, led by El Salvador, UK and the USA.
Importing
Distilled alcoholic beverages carry an 8.5% excise (distribution tax) per the PwC summary; imports are collected by the tax and customs authority SAT, which also handles the 1.5-litre traveller allowance (secondary source).
Advertising
No legally binding rules on alcohol advertising reported (WHO 2018 country profile, status 2016: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/substances-abuse/GTM.pdf)
Sale restrictions
Restrictions on hours/days and places of sale reported (WHO 2018 country profile, status 2016: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/substances-abuse/GTM.pdf)

Regulators: Superintendencia de Administracion Tributaria (SAT) - tax and customs

Trade bodies and fairs: Cámara de Industria de Guatemala (national industry chamber), Vinexpo Americas

Compiled by Distillers Hub in October 2026 from the World Bank, WHO, UN Comtrade, the WITS tariff database and the sources below. Figures change: check with the regulator or a customs broker before you act.

Sources (13)

About Guatemala

Guatemala is located in Central America, bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Spanish is the official language, alongside numerous indigenous Mayan languages. The country's economy is widely known for its agricultural exports, including coffee, sugar, and bananas, as well as light manufacturing.

The spirits market

Alcohol is legal for adults aged 18, subject to a daily sales and public consumption curfew from 01:00 AM to 06:00 AM. Registered importers must obtain sanitary warehouse licenses and SKU registrations, paying 15% to 30% standard duties—or 0% under trade agreements—plus an 8.5% distribution tax and 12% VAT. Local facilities primarily produce aguardiente, rum, and neutral sugarcane alcohol. Opportunities exist for exporters of premium spirits like whiskies, tequilas, and craft gins, supported by 0% preferential tariffs under CAFTA-DR and EU agreements.

Licences, import duty and labelling rules in Guatemala

Spirits importers and distributors in Guatemala

Duty-free and travel-retail shops in Guatemala

Who makes liquor in Guatemala? This list covers 17 liquor manufacturers and distilleries — Macera Spirits, S.A., Destiladora de Alcoholes y Rones, S.A. (DARSA), Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (Licores de Guatemala / Guatemalan Spirits), Destilería Magalcoholes (Ingenio Magdalena, S.A.) and more: whisky, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, neutral spirit (ENA) and local spirits producers, with their towns, products and websites. See also how to import or export liquor to Guatemala and the licences needed to make it there.

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