Source: https://rivet.global/blog/guatemala-bpo-contact-centres-collecting-usd
Published: 2026-10-06 · Updated: 2026-10-06 · By Rashidatou K.

# Guatemalan contact centres and BPO firms serving US clients: collecting dollars in full

Guatemala's contact centre and BPO sector serves mostly US clients. How firms invoice in dollars, receive payment without delays, and convert to quetzales for payroll.

## Key takeaways

- Guatemala's BPO and contact centre sector serves mainly US clients and invoices in dollars.
- Guatemalan companies can hold dollar accounts; the quetzal has been relatively stable against the dollar.
- US clients pay faster and in full by ACH to US account details than by international wire.
- Invoices are issued through Guatemala's FEL electronic invoicing system, including export invoices.

A Guatemala City contact centre with 400 bilingual agents handles customer service for two US companies. It invoices US$148,000 a month and pays most of that out in quetzales: salaries, rent, utilities and social security contributions. Its clients pay by international wire, which arrives three to five days later, sometimes lighter by an intermediary fee.

## A nearshore hub

Guatemala's BPO sector grew on bilingual talent, Central time zone hours and lower costs than the US. Most of its clients are American companies, and they pay in dollars.

## How US clients pay

American companies pay suppliers by ACH. Paying a Guatemalan bank means an international wire, often a separate approval step in their accounts payable process. Some batch foreign wires weekly or monthly.

US account details in the contact centre's own name let clients pay by ACH, like any US vendor. The full invoice amount arrives in one to two business days with a reference.

## Dollars and quetzales

Guatemalan companies can hold dollars. The quetzal has moved less against the dollar than many Latin American currencies, but conversion still costs a margin. Converting a planned amount ahead of each payroll, rather than every receipt, gives control over the rate.

## Invoicing through FEL

Guatemalan invoices are issued through FEL, the SAT's electronic invoicing system, with authorised certifiers. Export invoices identify the foreign client and can be in dollars. Services exported may be zero-rated or exempt for IVA when the conditions are met.

## Where Rivet fits

A Rivet business account accepts registered companies after verification, including Guatemalan companies. Approved companies get US account details in their own name on every plan, so US clients pay by ACH, euro and sterling details from the Growth plan, and payouts in 120+ countries, including to their Guatemalan bank. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.

## Questions

### Can Guatemalan companies hold dollars?

Yes. Guatemala allows companies to hold foreign currency accounts, and dollars are common in export businesses.

### Why do US client payments arrive late?

International wires pass through correspondent banks and often need separate approval at US companies.

### Do BPO services exported to the US carry IVA?

Exports of services can be zero-rated or exempt when they meet the conditions in Guatemala's IVA law. Check with your accountant.

### What is FEL?

Factura Electrónica en Línea, Guatemala's electronic invoicing system run with the SAT. Invoices are certified by authorised certifiers.