As we know, trade is vital for the success of any civilization. Trade was a key component of Maya society too, and also in the development of the Maya Civilization. They had an advanced trading system consisting of short, medium, and long trade routes.
Trade routes went as far south as Guatemala and Belize, and also extended to the Caribbean Islands. Trade routes not only supplied physical goods, but they facilitated the movement of people and ideas throughout Mesoamerica. Shifts in trade routes occurred with the rise and fall of important cities in the Maya region.
Even though, the Maya city states were continuously at war with each other, they traded with one another. Wars were fought for the control of trade too.
The commodities were generally classified into two categories- luxury and utilitarian goods. Luxury items included things like gold, copper, highly decorated pottery while the utilitarian items were clothing, tools, salts etc. Long distance trades of both items were controlled directly by the rulers.