🇬🇹 Guatemala - E-Invoicing Specifications (DTE)
Status: 🟢 Mandatory | Active for all businesses Authority: SAT (Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria) Platform: SAT Electronic Invoice System (DTE)
1. Context & Overview
Guatemala has mandatory e-invoicing (documento tributario electrónico - DTE) through SAT. The system follows a Clearance Model requiring pre-authorization. Progressive rollout began in 2017.
| Date | Scope | Obligation |
|---|---|---|
| 2017+ | Progressive | Initial rollout by sector |
| Ongoing | All businesses | Continuous SAT authorization |
| Current | Full mandatory | All transaction types |
2. Technical Workflow (DTE Clearance)
flowchart TD
S["Invoicerr (Supplier)"] -->|1. Generate DTE XML| X[XML Document]
X -->|2. Digital Signature| Cert[Digital Certificate]
Cert -->|3. Submit to SAT| SAT[SAT Platform]
SAT -->|4. Validation| V[Schema + Rules]
V -->|5. Authorization| SAT
SAT -->|6. Return ACK + Number| S
S -->|7. Deliver DTE| C[Client]
S -->|8. Store XML| DB[Archive]
🧱 Key Components
- DTE (Documento Tributario Electrónico): Electronic tax document
- NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria): Tax ID
- Digital Certificate: SAT-approved
- Firma Electrónica: Electronic signature
3. Data Standards & Formats
A. Required Format
- XML Format: SAT schema
- Encoding: UTF-8
- Digital Signature: Required
B. Document Types
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FACT | Factura | Invoice |
| NDEB | Nota Débito | Debit note |
| NCRE | Nota Crédito | Credit note |
| NABN | Nota Abono | Credit memo |
| RECI | Recibo | Receipt |
C. Critical Data Fields
- NIT: Tax ID (8-12 digits)
- IVA: VAT (12%)
- Número DTE: Authorization number
- Código Establecimiento: Branch code
4. Business Model & Compliance
A. Workflow
- NIT Registration: Obtain Guatemalan tax ID
- Certificate: Acquire SAT electronic signature
- DTE Generation: Create schema-compliant XML
- Signing: Apply electronic signature
- Submission: Send to SAT for authorization
- Delivery: Send to buyer
B. Archiving
- Retention: 4 years
- Format: Original XML
5. Implementation Checklist
- NIT Registration: Obtain Guatemalan tax ID
- Digital Certificate: Acquire SAT certificate
- DTE Engine: Build SAT schema generator
- Signature Integration: Implement signing
- SAT API: Connect to web services
- Document Types: Support all DTE types
6. Resources
- SAT Portal: Sat.gob.gt
- E-Invoicing Section: DTE Guatemala