Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder (unmixed ascorbic acid; HS 2936.27)
Industry PositionNutraceutical and food ingredient (vitamin C)
Market
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in Guatemala is primarily an import-supplied ingredient used in dietary supplement products and other formulated goods. UN Comtrade-based data for HS 293627 shows Guatemala importing meaningful volumes, with China the dominant origin in 2023. Market access risk is driven less by agronomic factors and more by customs classification and sanitary registration pathways for products marketed as dietary supplements. For finished dietary supplements, Guatemala’s MSPAS (DRCPFA) sanitary registration process and dossier requirements can be a practical gate for commercialization timelines.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent ingredient market)
Domestic RoleImported input for dietary supplement products; distribution via local importers/distributors under Guatemala customs and MSPAS sanitary registration frameworks
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighIf the product is marketed as a dietary supplement in Guatemala, MSPAS (DRCPFA) sanitary registration is a practical gate to import commercialization; missing or non-compliant dossier items (e.g., Free Sale certificate and GMP certificate) can cause rejection or extended delays.Align the product classification and dossier to the MSPAS DRCPFA procedure before shipment; secure authenticated Free Sale and GMP certificates that match the finished form and establishment details.
Supply Concentration MediumGuatemala’s import supply for unmixed vitamin C (HS 293627) is heavily concentrated in a single origin (China in 2023), increasing exposure to external price, availability, and export-logistics shocks from that origin.Qualify secondary origins and pre-approved alternative suppliers; maintain safety stock sized to expected MSPAS registration and customs lead times.
Customs Clearance MediumCustoms delays can occur if the DUCA type, HS classification, or associated permit/requirement set is misapplied; this can disrupt delivery windows for manufacturers or distributors relying on imported ingredient supply.Validate the tariff line and any associated requirements using SAT’s 'Arancel Integrado' and work with an experienced customs broker to ensure DUCA support-document alignment.
Product Quality MediumFor finished dietary supplements, MSPAS requires evidence tied to manufacturing quality controls (e.g., GMP documentation); quality documentation gaps can trigger non-approval and may increase enforcement risk if products reach the market without compliant authorization.Implement lot-level release controls (COA review and identity/assay testing as appropriate) and ensure label/finished-form documentation matches MSPAS registration submissions.
Standards- GMP evidence (manufacturer/packer, where applicable) is explicitly referenced in the MSPAS DRCPFA procedure requirements for new dietary supplement sanitary registration
FAQ
Where did Guatemala source most of its unmixed vitamin C imports from in 2023?In 2023, Guatemala’s largest supplier for HS 293627 (vitamin C and its derivatives, unmixed) was China, with smaller import volumes reported from Uruguay, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
What are key dossier elements referenced for registering a vitamin C dietary supplement in Guatemala?The government procedure listing for a new dietary supplement sanitary registration (MSPAS/DRCPFA) references an application (F-AS-f-04), a Certificate of Free Sale from a competent authority, and a valid GMP certificate issued by the competent authority of the manufacturing country, alongside the corresponding proof-of-payment documents.
Which DUCA type is used in Guatemala for imports from third countries?SAT guidance describes DUCA-D as the declaration used for goods originating and coming from third countries (i.e., not using the regional-origin DUCA-F).