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What is the practical difference between importing under a free zone (Decree 65-89) or ZDEEP versus Decree 29-89?

According to the cited documentsTo be confirmedImporting machinery

Income tax exemption, free-zone users

10 years

15 years for zone operatorsIn forceDecreto 65-89

Free-zone users are exempt from import duty (DAI) and VAT on imports of machinery and inputs, exempt from VAT on operations inside and between free zones, and exempt from income tax (ISR) for 10 years (industrial and service users) or 15 years (zone operators). ZOLIC (Decree 22-73) and the ZDEEPs (created by the 30-2008 reform) are extra-customs enclosures authorized by the tax authority (SAT), with taxes suspended inside the enclosure. The practical difference: a free zone is an enclosure (the goods never fiscally 'enter' the customs territory), whereas Decree 29-89 operates in the company's own plant inside the customs territory against a guarantee and a running goods account - Decree 29-89 lets you site the plant anywhere, while a free zone ties the benefit to the enclosure.

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Sources

  • MINECO

    Texto del Decreto 65-89, Ley de Zonas Francas

    mineco.gob.gtAccessed Aug 19, 2026Go to the source
  • MINECO

    Texto del Decreto 29-89 con reformas

    mineco.gob.gtAccessed Aug 19, 2026Go to the source