EU tariff quota: understanding the 0% quota

Q: What is the EU 0% tariff quota?

A tariff quota (TRQ, Tariff Rate Quota ) is a defined volume of goods that the EU authorises to be imported at a reduced duty — here 0% — over a given period. Beyond this volume, the normal customs duty applies. For Tunisian olive oil, this quota covers ~56,700 tonnes per year , under the reference TRQ 09.4032 . It stems from the associat

Q: What is the volume of the EU tariff quota for Tunisian olive oil?

It amounts to ~56,700 tonnes per year , importable at 0% customs duty, under the reference TRQ 09.4032 . Beyond this volume, a high specific duty applies. These figures are dated and to be re-verified at source before commitment.

Q: How do you obtain access to the 0% quota?

Via certificates issued on the Tunisian side by SICAD , for a compliant export structure (ONH approval). Each shipment under quota is charged against the remaining volume, and the EUR.1 certificate of origin materialises the preferential regime at EU entry.

Q: Why does the quota saturate every year?

Because European demand exceeds the volume opened at 0% . Operators who file early secure the nil rate; the others import outside the quota, at the full duty. An increase of the quota to 100,000 t was refused in March 2026.

Q: What happens if the quota is exhausted?

The oil is imported outside the quota , at the full EU customs duty , which markedly increases the landed price. The origin price remains identical: it is the duty that widens the gap. Hence the interest in filing the certificates at the start of the campaign.

Q: Is there an equivalent quota outside the EU?

Yes, the United Kingdom has a bilateral quota of ~7,723 t at 0% , generally not saturated . It is a diversification avenue for outlets outside the European Union, once the export structure is in place. --- Do you need to secure a volume under quota? Request a dated quote: we quote by format and incoterm within 24-48h, taking the quota sta

EU tariff quota: understanding the 0% quota

Guide

In brief. The European Union grants Tunisian olive oil a tariff quota (TRQ) of ~56,700 tonnes per year importable at 0% customs duty. This quota, referenced TRQ 09.4032, is managed by certificates issued on the Tunisian side via SICAD and is exhausted every year, often early. Outside the quota, the oil bears a high EU duty that significantly increases the landed price. Understanding this mechanism is decisive to quote accurately and secure your volumes in time.

The 0% quota is one of the most concrete competitiveness levers of Tunisian olive oil on the European market. But it is limited and dated: poorly anticipated, it can tip an advantageous quotation into a much more expensive out-of-quota purchase. Here is how it works.

What is the EU 0% tariff quota?

A tariff quota (TRQ, Tariff Rate Quota) is a defined volume of goods that the EU authorises to be imported at a reduced duty — here 0% — over a given period. Beyond this volume, the normal customs duty applies.

For Tunisian olive oil, this quota covers ~56,700 tonnes per year, under the reference TRQ 09.4032. It stems from the association agreement between Tunisia and the EU. Within the quota, the duty is nil; outside the quota, a high specific duty applies and markedly increases the landed price.

How to obtain the certificates (SICAD)

Access to the quota goes through certificates issued on the Tunisian side via SICAD. In practice:

Compliant export structure — Tunisian company, customs code and ONH export approval.
Certificate request — filing via the SICAD circuit, within the allocation windows.
Charging — each shipment under quota is deducted from the remaining quota volume.
Export documents — invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L), EUR.1 certificate of origin to benefit from the preferential regime.

The EUR.1 certificate of origin is the document that materialises the Tunisian preferential origin at EU entry: without it, no benefit from the reduced rate.

Saturation: why the quota runs out every year

The most strategic point: the quota saturates every year, often before the end of the period. European demand for Tunisian oil exceeds the volume opened at 0%.

Direct consequence: operators who file early secure the nil rate; latecomers import outside the quota, at the full duty. A request to enlarge the quota to 100,000 t was in fact refused in March 2026, which maintains the pressure on the available volume.

Golden rule: file the quota certificates as early as possible in the campaign. Waiting means risking buying outside the quota and seeing the landed price climb.

Impact on the landed price: within vs outside the quota

The quota/out-of-quota status strongly changes the final cost:

Item	Within the quota	Outside the quota
EU customs duty	0%	High specific duty
Bulk origin price	from ~3.80 €/kg	same
Landed price	the most competitive	markedly increased
Availability	limited, to secure early	possible but costly

The origin price does not change; it is the duty that makes the difference on arrival. Always break down your landed cost item by item and track origin prices on the price observatory.

Note: the British quota

Beyond the EU, the United Kingdom has a separate bilateral quota of ~7,723 t at 0% which, for its part, is generally not saturated. A useful avenue to diversify European outlets outside the EU.

FAQ

What is the volume of the EU tariff quota for Tunisian olive oil?

It amounts to ~56,700 tonnes per year, importable at 0% customs duty, under the reference TRQ 09.4032. Beyond this volume, a high specific duty applies. These figures are dated and to be re-verified at source before commitment.

How do you obtain access to the 0% quota?

Via certificates issued on the Tunisian side by SICAD, for a compliant export structure (ONH approval). Each shipment under quota is charged against the remaining volume, and the EUR.1 certificate of origin materialises the preferential regime at EU entry.

Why does the quota saturate every year?

Because European demand exceeds the volume opened at 0%. Operators who file early secure the nil rate; the others import outside the quota, at the full duty. An increase of the quota to 100,000 t was refused in March 2026.

What happens if the quota is exhausted?

The oil is imported outside the quota, at the full EU customs duty, which markedly increases the landed price. The origin price remains identical: it is the duty that widens the gap. Hence the interest in filing the certificates at the start of the campaign.

Does the quota change the origin price?

No. The bulk origin price is the same within or outside the quota. It is the customs duty — 0% within the quota, high outside — that changes the landed price. See the price observatory.

Is there an equivalent quota outside the EU?

Yes, the United Kingdom has a bilateral quota of ~7,723 t at 0%, generally not saturated. It is a diversification avenue for outlets outside the European Union, once the export structure is in place.

Do you need to secure a volume under quota? Request a dated quote: we quote by format and incoterm within 24-48h, taking the quota status into account. Track prices on the price observatory and compare origins on the comparison.

Quota figures dated (July 2026) and; no invented data, values taken from sector sources (CBI, Managers.tn).