Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder (crystalline)
Industry PositionFood Additive Ingredient (Acidity Regulator / Sequestrant)
Market
Trisodium citrate (INS 331(iii)) is used in Colombia as a functional food-additive ingredient (e.g., acidity regulation, sequestration, stabilizing/emulsifying-salt functions) under frameworks that reference Codex GSFA and national sanitary rules. Colombia has domestic industrial supply for sodium citrate (e.g., production in Valle del Cauca) alongside imported availability via ingredient distributors. Market access risk is shaped by tariff classification under subpartida 2918.15.30.00 and Colombia’s history of trade-defense scrutiny on sodium citrate imports from China. Operationally, compliance focus is on INVIMA oversight for additive authorization pathways and the mandatory labeling/rotulado requirements for food additives sold for use in food manufacturing.
Market RoleDomestic producer with import supply; regulated food-additive ingredient market
Domestic RoleB2B ingredient for food manufacturing (not a consumer retail staple); used for dairy/cheese functional applications and broader processed-food formulations
Risks
Trade Defense HighColombia has a documented history of antidumping actions on sodium citrate imports (subpartida 2918.15.30.00) originating in China; origin exposure and the current status of any measure can materially change landed cost and disrupt shipments if not addressed at contracting and customs stages.Before contracting, confirm current MINCIT trade-defense status by origin for 2918.15.30.00, validate origin documentation, and model worst-case duties/price-base mechanisms in the landed-cost scenario.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIf a food-additive use case is not clearly covered by Colombia’s national positive lists, INVIMA may require an authorization pathway that relies on Codex GSFA (and potentially other recognized benchmarks) and supporting documentation; gaps can delay market entry or commercial use approval.Map intended food-category uses against Codex GSFA provisions (INS 331(iii)) and INVIMA guidance; prepare a complete technical dossier aligned to INVIMA’s additive authorization workflow.
Labeling MediumNon-compliant Spanish labeling/rotulado for additive packs marketed in Colombia can trigger detention, relabeling costs, or delayed release, particularly for imported lots relying on complementary labels.Run a pre-shipment label review against Resolución 1506 de 2011 requirements (including lot coding) and align manufacturer and importer documentation to the same product identity and presentation.
Quality MediumIndustrial buyers expect consistent functional performance (acidity regulation/sequestration/stabilization); off-spec material or moisture-compromised lots can cause formulation and process failures in downstream food manufacturing.Use incoming QC with supplier COA verification, moisture-control storage, and lot-based traceability aligned to labeling and internal records.
FAQ
¿Cuál es la subpartida arancelaria en Colombia para el citrato de sodio y qué gravamen muestra el Arancel de Aduanas?En el Arancel de Aduanas adoptado por el Decreto 1881 de 2021, el “citrato de sodio” figura en la subpartida 2918.15.30.00 y se muestra con un gravamen ad valorem de 5%.
¿Qué autoridad en Colombia enmarca la autorización y el rotulado de aditivos alimentarios como el trisodio citrato?INVIMA es la entidad que describe los procesos de autorización de aditivos alimentarios y, para el rotulado/etiquetado de aditivos, aplica el marco de la Resolución 1506 de 2011, que incluye exigencias de información en español y reglas para productos importados con etiqueta complementaria.
¿Existe oferta doméstica de citrato de sodio en Colombia?Sí. Hay evidencia de producción nacional: Sucroal S.A. comercializa citrato de sodio (dihidratado) y declara operación en Palmira, Valle del Cauca (Colombia).