Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPowder
Industry PositionNutraceutical / Dietary Supplement Ingredient
Market
UN Comtrade data (via World Bank WITS) indicates Guatemala imported about US$2.92 million and 223,732 kg of HS 293625 (Vitamin B6 and its derivatives, unmixed) in 2024, with China as the dominant origin. In Guatemala, vitamin B6 is used as an input for dietary supplement products that require sanitary registration with the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) prior to import/commercialization. The most common vitamin B6 vitamer used in supplements is pyridoxine, typically as pyridoxine hydrochloride (HCl), though some products use PLP. Customs entry is handled through Guatemala’s tax and customs authority (SAT), including use of the DUCA goods declaration system; for this compact ingredient, compliance and documentation alignment are often more commercially critical than freight costs.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent market)
Domestic RoleImported vitamin ingredient used in registered dietary supplement products and related formulations marketed in Guatemala.
Specification
Primary VarietyPyridoxine (most commonly supplied in supplements as pyridoxine hydrochloride, HCl)
Secondary Variety- Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP/P5P) (used in some supplements)
Physical Attributes- Typically traded as an unmixed vitamin ingredient for formulation into measured-dose products (e.g., tablets/capsules/powders/solutions).
Compositional Metrics- Vitamin content declarations are expected on labels in numerical form and expressed per recommended daily portion, consistent with Codex guidance for vitamin/mineral supplements.
Grades- Purity criteria are commonly referenced to FAO/WHO standards and, where applicable, international pharmacopoeias or recognized international standards (Codex guidance).
Packaging- Finished products are commonly marketed in measured small-unit quantities (e.g., capsules, tablets, powders, solutions), consistent with Codex guidance for vitamin/mineral supplements.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas vitamin manufacturer → international freight → customs entry (SAT; DUCA) → importer/registrant warehouse → local distribution and/or contract packaging/formulation → retail/wholesale channels
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMarket access can be blocked or materially delayed if a vitamin B6-containing product is treated as a regulated dietary supplement in Guatemala and lacks the required MSPAS sanitary registration (Registro Sanitario); the MSPAS procedure for a new 'Suplemento Dietético' registration indicates multi-month processing timelines.Confirm product classification with MSPAS early (ingredient vs finished supplement), align dossier/labeling to the applicable MSPAS pathway, and plan lead times around the published processing window before contracting delivery dates.
Supply Concentration MediumGuatemala’s imports of unmixed vitamin B6 (HS 293625) are concentrated in supply from China (UN Comtrade via WITS), creating exposure to single-origin supply shocks (factory outages, export policy changes, or shipping disruptions).Dual-source approved suppliers (e.g., qualify at least one non-China origin) and hold safety stock sized to the local registration and replenishment lead time.
Quality MediumSubstandard or mislabeled vitamin B6 inputs can trigger regulatory nonconformity or product recalls; Codex guidance emphasizes use of recognized purity criteria (FAO/WHO standards and/or international pharmacopoeias) for vitamin/mineral supplements.Require pharmacopeial/recognized-standard specifications in contracts, obtain CoA per batch, and implement incoming QC verification for identity and assay where feasible.
Customs Documentation MediumImport clearance delays can occur due to errors or omissions in customs declarations and supporting documentation under SAT’s DUCA-based processes and referenced Central American customs requirements.Use an experienced customs broker, pre-validate document sets against SAT requirements, and ensure consistency across invoice, packing list, and declaration data fields.
Labor & Social- Country context: Guatemala has had labor-rights enforcement attention in the CAFTA-DR framework; companies using local contract packaging/distribution may face buyer due-diligence questions on labor compliance and working conditions.
FAQ
What form of vitamin B6 is most commonly used in dietary supplements?According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, the most common vitamin B6 form used in supplements is pyridoxine, typically as pyridoxine hydrochloride (HCl), although some supplements contain PLP.
Does Guatemala require a sanitary registration for dietary supplement products containing vitamin B6?Yes. Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) publishes a specific procedure for a new sanitary registration (Registro Sanitario) for “Suplemento Dietético,” which results in a sanitary registration certificate required for import and commercialization under the applicable national rules.
What customs declaration framework is used for import entry in Guatemala?Guatemala’s tax and customs authority (SAT) uses the DUCA (Declaración Única Centroamericana) framework for goods declarations, which replaced earlier regional declaration formats for customs processing.