Sanitary Registration Certificate Replacement MSPAS Guatemala 2026 (Q25)

The Sanitary Registration Certificate Replacement (Reposición de Certificado de Registro Sanitario) is the official MSPAS procedure that lets a company recover a valid copy of its Sanitary Registration Certificate when the original has been lost, stolen, damaged or rendered illegible. It keeps the same original registration number — it is NOT a new registration.

Quick summary: Cost Q25, processing 5 business days. Filed at the MSPAS Food Window (Ventanilla de Alimentos). Keeps the same original Sanitary Registration number. Useful when the physical certificate is lost or damaged but the registration is still valid.

Data verified against the official Catalogo Unico de Tramites del Estado (Service 1809 — MSPAS).

What This Procedure Is

The Sanitary Registration Certificate is the physical document that proves a food, beverage, supplement or regulated product holds MSPAS authorization to be sold in Guatemala. It is a key commercial document: distributors, supermarkets, importers, customs and inspection authorities all request it.

When the physical document is lost or damaged but the sanitary registration is still valid in MSPAS systems, you do not need to do a new registration (a long and expensive process). You only need to request a replacement: MSPAS prints and signs an official substitute copy with the same original registration number.

Who Needs It

• Companies holding a Sanitary Registration that lost the physical certificate
• Distributors who need the document to deal with supermarket chains or to export
• Companies with a damaged certificate (stained, torn, illegible) needing a clean copy
• Successor companies that need to replace damaged file documentation
• Any Sanitary Registration holder who needs the physical certificate in good condition to manage Health Certificate for Export, municipal licenses or other procedures

If your Sanitary Registration has expired, a replacement is not what you need — it is a renewal. Replacement only applies to currently-valid certificates.

Difference Between Replacement and Renewal

It is common to confuse these two procedures. Here is the difference:

Complete Requirements

Before going to the MSPAS Food Window:

Applicant Documents

• Replacement application signed by the legal representative
• Current DPI of the legal representative (or passport if foreign)
• Current NIT and patente de comercio of the registration holder

Documents on the Registration to Replace

• Original Sanitary Registration number (look for it in past invoices, MSPAS database or internal documentation)
• Loss report issued by the PNC (if stolen or lost)
• Or the damaged original certificate (if only deteriorated)

Payment

• Official receipt 63-A2 for Q25 (issued at the MSPAS Window)

Step-by-Step Process

1. Verify your Sanitary Registration is current. If it has already expired, you need a renewal, not a replacement.
2. Locate the original Sanitary Registration number. You will find it on past invoices, product labels, internal records, or in the MSPAS database if your company has access.
3. If the certificate was lost or stolen, file a report with the PNC and obtain the loss certificate. If it is only damaged, bring the original damaged certificate.
4. Fill out the replacement application (official MSPAS form) with complete data on the holder and reference to the registration number being replaced.
5. Pay the fee. The Window issues receipt 63-A2 for Q25.
6. Submit the complete application at the Food Window of MSPAS, along with all documents.
7. The Window forwards the application to the DRCA Secretariat, which delivers it to the UAS Digitizer (Sanitary Authorizations Unit).
8. The UAS Digitizer reviews that all requirements are complete.
9. If requirements are met, the UAS Digitizer enters the data and prints the new Sanitary Registration Certificate.
10. The certificate goes to the Department Head for signature.
11. Once signed, the certificate returns to the UAS Digitizer and is sent to the Food Window.
12. If requirements are not met, a rejection note is issued. Address the findings and re-submit the file.
13. Pick up your replaced Sanitary Registration Certificate at the Food Window, presenting your entry password.

Cost and Time

Common Mistakes & What to Do If Rejected

• Confusing replacement with renewal — they are different procedures. If your registration has expired, replacement does not apply.
• Forgetting the original Sanitary Registration number — without this number, MSPAS cannot locate your registration in the database. Find it before showing up.
• Not bringing the PNC report — if the certificate was lost or stolen, bringing proof is good practice and speeds up the procedure.
• Requesting replacement of someone else’s registration — only the legal representative of the holder can request it, or someone with notarized special power of attorney.
• Incorrect data on the application — verify that the product name, NIT and holder data match exactly with what is registered at MSPAS.
• If rejected, you will receive a note with specific observations. Address each point and re-submit the file — generally without needing to pay Q25 again if re-submission happens within a reasonable timeframe.

When You Will Use the Replaced Certificate

Once you have the replaced certificate, you will need it to:

• Request Health Certificate for Export for the product
• Process municipal licenses for production/distribution
• Submit to sanitary audits (SE, MAGA, customs authorities)
• Demonstrate sanitary authorization to distributors or supermarket chains
• Renew Food Sanitary License of the producing establishment
• Attach to files before COFEPRIS (Mexico), FDA (USA) or authorities of other importing countries

Legal Framework

The Sanitary Registration Certificate Replacement is governed by:

• Decreto Numero 05-2021, Art. 19: Establishes the administrative procedure for replacement of sanitary certificates.
• Decreto 90-97 — Health Code, Art. 140-148: Authorizes MSPAS to maintain the sanitary registry of products and issue derived certifications.
• Current MSPAS Fee Schedule: Establishes the official Q25 cost for this procedure.

Related Tramites

• Health Certificate for Export MSPAS — to export food products
• Food Sanitary License MSPAS — establishment authorization
• Sanitary Registration of Product — initial product registration
• Sanitary License Replacement — recover establishment license
• MSPAS tramites hub — all Ministry of Health procedures

Official Links

• MSPAS — Tramites
• MSPAS — Institutional Site
• DRCA — Food Regulation and Control
• Catalogo Unico de Tramites del Estado — Service 1809