Jorge Gómez, executive director of the entity, indicated that So far around 1.5 million packages were processed annually from abroad. With modernization, that capacity increased to 3 million a year.
This expansion and modernization of the facilities will allow to expedite customs control processes, reduce dispatch times, optimize risk management and improve loading and safety of the load, added the manager.
The Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT), through the Intendance of Customs and the Express Air Administration, will have a special area to facilitate its functions of control and streamlining of trade, was reported.
The project, called Courier 2 expansion, seeks to meet the growing demand for electronic commerce.
Gómez explained that this service has had a boom for some years, promoted by platforms such as Amazon and eBayand more recently by Chinese companies that generate imports for personal consumption in Guatemala.
Combex-IM mobilizes about 70 thousand tons of air load in general, including matches and import and export load. Guatemala maintains a direct trade, mainly, with a logistics center in the city of Miami, but there are also direct flights from China, Panama and Central America.
According to Gomez, The dynamism of electronic commerce It began to be observed in 2011, reached a peak in 2015 and gave way to the inauguration of the Courier 1 area in 2018. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the volume of packages grew by about 30%.
One of the main challenges has been the lack of space to grow, but it is expected to develop more infrastructure in the future, he added.
For its part, Werner Ovalle, Superintendent of Tax Administration, stressed that the project represents a decisive step in institutional strengthening since the extension improves the response capacity of the entity, reinforces customs controls and infrastructure for trade facilitation. It also constitutes a key pillar in the fight against smuggling, evasion and unfair practices.
The Customs Air Express represents 14% of foreign trade collection and is the third most important nationwide among the 22 of the country.
The official explained that in 2025 there has been an increase of 62% in air guides and 60% in electronic commerce, compared to 2024. Likewise, the taxes declared to the SAT increased 26.3%.
“The extension not only responds to a need for space, but to a new global reality: electronic commerce. It is no longer the future, it is the present of international trade,” said Ovalle.
Until August 2025, the goal of collection in Customs Express was Q3 thousand 116 million, with a 103% compliance and an interannual variation of 12.3%.
The inaugurated modernization reflects “a successful model of public-private collaboration,” he added.
Ovalle explained that this customs has allowed to identify chemical precursors, which has positioned Guatemala on the work agenda with US government agencies. This thanks to the profile, the exchange of information and risk management, in addition to memoranda and agreements signed with the US CBP.
Tomás Aldecoa Casasola, general director of Civil Aeronautics, said that the extension observes positive and said that Combex-IM is responsible for meeting the security and technology requirements for the review of the parcel while the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) certifies these storage centers.
Aldecoa also mentioned the increase in cargo and passenger flights, whose aircraft transport merchandise in its compartments.
General collection in the country
Between January and August of 2025, The total collection goal was Q72 thousand 960 million. However, revenues reached Q74 thousand 430 millionwhich is equivalent to a 102% compliance and an year -on -year variation of 9.6% compared to 2024. That rhythm until the end of the year is expected.
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The greatest contributions come from the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Income Tax (ISR). Regarding the collection of foreign trade, effects derived from the exchange rate and the decrease in the price of fuel compared to the previous year have been seen.
Ovalle added that, with the support of the Intendencia de Control and the Risk Committee, the findings of the non -compliance study presented in June will be reviewed. Based on this, a new institutional strategic plan will be launched.
By 2026, it is projected to reach Q119 billion in collection.