Tunisian olive oil ports and sea routes: Radès, Sfax and
In brief
Tunisian olive oil is exported by container from two main ports: Radès (the leading container port, greater Tunis, the reference for FOB Radès quotations) and Sfax (close to the southern olive-growing basin, the Chemlali area). From there, it reaches the world's major ports — Marseille, Genoa, Barcelona, Hamburg, Antwerp/Rotterdam, Jebel Ali, New York, Montreal, Santos, Yokohama — with transit times ranging from a few days (Mediterranean) to ~4–6 weeks (Asia). The destination port is part of the incoterm: "CIF Marseille" and "CIF Hamburg" are not priced the same way. All the transit times below are **indicative and to be verified ** with the freight forwarder at the time of quoting.
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The two ports of departure
| Port | Profile | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Radès (greater Tunis) | The country's main container port | The most shipping lines to Europe, the Gulf and beyond; reference for FOB Radès quotations |
| Sfax | Port of the southern olive-growing basin (Chemlali area) | Brings loading closer to the milling zone, reducing inland pre-carriage |
The choice depends on the available shipping line, proximity to the production zone and the cost of inland transport. The port of departure is inseparable from the incoterm: a FOB quote must always name its port.
Radès/Sfax → world's major ports: transit times
| Destination port | Market | Indicative transit time |
|---|---|---|
| Marseille / Genoa | France, Italy | a few days (near Mediterranean) |
| Barcelona / Valencia | Spain | a few days |
| Hamburg / Antwerp / Rotterdam | Germany, Northern Europe | ~1 to 2 weeks |
| Felixstowe | United Kingdom | ~1 to 2 weeks |
| Basel (river/inland via a Northern port) | Switzerland | ~2 weeks + haulage |
| New York / US East Coast ports | United States | ~2 to 4 weeks |
| Montreal | Canada | ~2 to 4 weeks |
| Jebel Ali / Jeddah / Hamad | Gulf | ~1 to 3 weeks (depending on transhipment) |
| Santos | Brazil | ~2 to 4 weeks |
| Yokohama / Kobe | Japan | ~4 to 6 weeks (transhipment) |
These ranges are **conservative and to be re-checked **: a transhipment, an extra call or a period of high demand can lengthen them. Always ask your freight forwarder for a firm transit time at the time of quoting.
The port is part of the incoterm
The reference port is structural to the price:
- FOB [port of departure]: "FOB Radès" — the seller delivers up to the goods loaded on board at the named port.
- CFR / CIF [destination port]: the seller pays freight to the named port (and insurance under CIF). "CIF Marseille" ≠ "CIF Hamburg".
- DAP / DDP [place]: the seller delivers to the place of delivery (cleared for import under DDP).
Always name the exact port in the quote and contract, to avoid misunderstanding and re-quoting. See the incoterms guide and estimate the landed price with the export cost calculator.
Two meters that weigh on a quotation
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Free time | Grace period (often a few days) during which the container can stay at the port at no charge after arrival |
| Demurrage | Charged per day when the full container stays at the terminal beyond free time |
| Detention | Charged when the empty container is returned late to the shipping line |
A missing document that blocks customs clearance sets demurrage running: finalise the documentary file before loading. These terms are defined in the glossary.
The port is only one link
The port must be considered alongside packaging (flexitank ~22,000 L, IBC 1,000 L, drums 200/216 L), the mode (FCL, full container), the documentary file ready before loading, and the incoterm that determines who organises and pays for the main carriage. The total lead time = lot preparation + ONH analysis + document issuance + sea transit + clearance on arrival. Details on the ports & transit and sea transport pages.
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Our PDF cheat sheet gathers on one page: ports of departure, main destination ports and indicative transit times, capacities per container (flexitank/IBC/drums) and a shipping checklist.
Receive the cheat sheet by email » (email capture → Brevo follow-up).
FAQ — Ports and sea routes
Where does Tunisian olive oil ship from?
Mainly from Radès (leading container port, greater Tunis) and Sfax (close to the southern olive-growing basin, Chemlali area). The choice depends on the shipping line, proximity to milling and inland cost.
How long to deliver to France or Italy?
Indicatively a few days for the near Mediterranean (Marseille, Genoa). Add lot preparation, ONH analysis and clearance for the total lead time.
How long to Northern Europe?
About 1 to 2 weeks to Hamburg, Antwerp or Rotterdam, excluding transhipment. Confirm the firm transit with the forwarder.
How long to the United States and Canada?
Indicatively ~2 to 4 weeks of sea transit to the East Coast (New York, Montreal). Also anticipate import formalities (FDA/Prior Notice/FSVP in the US, licence on the Canadian side) that can immobilise the container.
How long to the Gulf?
To Jebel Ali, Jeddah or Hamad, allow ~1 to 3 weeks depending on transhipments.
How long to Japan?
The transit is longer, often ~4 to 6 weeks with transhipment. To be confirmed with the forwarder.
Why does the port change the price?
Because the reference port is part of the incoterm: "FOB Radès" and "CIF Marseille" are not priced the same, and "CIF Marseille" ≠ "CIF Hamburg". Always name the exact port in the quote.
What is free time?
The grace period (often a few days) during which the container can stay at the destination port at no charge after arrival. Beyond that, demurrage runs per day. Free time is negotiated with the shipping line.
What's the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage hits the full container held at the terminal beyond free time; detention hits the empty container returned late to the shipping line.
How many litres in a 20' container?
About 22,000 L in a flexitank, 20 × 1,000 L in IBCs, or 40 × ~200 L in drums. Density (~0.913 kg/L) lets you convert to net weight.
How to avoid demurrage?
Finalise the documentary file before loading: a missing document that blocks clearance sets demurrage running. Book early and give a realistic transit time.
Are these times guaranteed?
No, they are **indicative and to be verified **. A transhipment, a call or high demand can lengthen them. Always ask the forwarder for a firm transit time at the time of quoting.
Take action
You have the map of ports of departure, main destination ports and indicative transit times.
Ports cheat sheet (email) » · Ports & transit in detail » · Incoterms »
Export cost calculator » — landed price by origin, incoterm and port.
Request a free quote — dated quotation with port and transit for your market. Drawer pre-filled "Ports & logistics".
July 2026 data, indicative times to be re-checked with the forwarder before any commitment.
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