Olive oil export and import documents: the complete list

Q: What documents do you need to export olive oil?

Short answer: the standard file comprises the proforma invoice then the commercial invoice , the packing list , the bill of lading (B/L) , a certificate of origin (EUR.1 for the EU, Arab certificate for the Gulf, common law elsewhere), the COA (certificate of analysis) of the lot from an IOC-accredited laboratory, and the phytosanitary/sa

Q: Who issues the EUR.1 certificate of origin?

Tunisian customs issues the EUR.1, in 24 h to a few days, for an indicative cost of 20 to 60 TND. The Arab (GAFTA) and common-law certificates of origin are issued by the chamber of commerce and industry . The first request requires a complete supporting origin file.

Q: What is a COA and who issues it?

The COA (certificate of analysis) attests to the oil's category (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270, polyphenols). It is issued per lot by the Office National de l'Huile or an IOC-accredited laboratory, within a few days. Some markets (Brazil) impose a specific format and laboratory.

Q: Which certificate of origin to import into the EU?

The EUR.1 certificate (or EUROMED). It unlocks the Tunisian tariff quota at zero duty . Without it, the EU duty outside the preference reaches €124.50/100 kg , which wipes out the margin. It is requested for each shipment .

Q: Is the bill of lading (B/L) essential?

Yes. The B/L is the receipt of the goods, the proof of the transport contract and a title of ownership. Require a CLEAN bill of lading, without reservations: a bank refuses to honor a documentary credit presented with a B/L carrying reservations.

Q: Do you need a halal certificate to export olive oil?

No, not for pure olive oil: halal is mandatory in none of the covered markets. Requiring it means creating a claim to justify. In the UAE, no foreign halal mark is even allowed. Conclusion: print nothing, pay nothing (1,000 to 5,000 $/year avoidable) .

Q: How to prevent a document from blocking the container at the port?

Three reflexes: generate a consistent invoice, proforma and packing list in one go; obtain the EUR.1/CO and the COA in the right format early ; check the importer-side registrations (FDA, SFC, MAPA) before shipment . Use the documentary checklist to forget nothing.

Are you exporting or importing olive oil and want the exact list of documents to gather — without risking a missing paper immobilizing your container at the port? This guide details each document (proforma, invoice, packing list, bill of lading B/L, certificate of origin/EUR.1, COA, phytosanitary…), who issues it, how long it takes and at what cost, and which one is blocking. Tables, mistakes to avoid, document generator and a personalized checklist included.

Free PDF checklist: the complete documentary file, with the issuing body, lead time, cost and blocking status for each item. Get it by email »

What documents do you need to export olive oil?

Short answer: the standard file comprises the proforma invoice then the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading (B/L), a certificate of origin (EUR.1 for the EU, Arab certificate for the Gulf, common law elsewhere), the COA (certificate of analysis) of the lot from an IOC-accredited laboratory, and the phytosanitary/sanitary certificates. Depending on the market, organic, halal, fumigation or insurance certificates are added.

An olive oil documentary file reads in six families: the exporter's documents (approval, customs code), the commercial documents, quality (COA), origin, conformity and finally transport/payment. The missing document is the one that blocks: this guide tells you which is blocking and who issues it. The technical acronyms (B/L, EUR.1, COA, LC…) are defined in the glossary.

Table: documents, who issues them, lead time and cost

Indicative benchmarks for an olive oil container departing from Tunisia. The "lead time" and "cost" columns are to be confirmed with the bodies.

Document	Who issues it	Indicative lead time	Indicative cost	Blocking?
Proforma invoice	You (the exporter)	Immediate	—	Yes (triggers deposit/LC)
Commercial invoice	You	Immediate	—	Yes
Packing list	You	Immediate	—	Yes
COA — ONH lot certificate of analysis	Office National de l'Huile / IOC-accredited lab	A few days	~900 TND / container	Yes
EUR.1 certificate of origin (EU)	Tunisian customs	24 h to a few days	20 to 60 TND	Yes (for 0% EU)
Arab certificate of origin (GAFTA)	Chamber of commerce and industry	24 h to a few days	20 to 60 TND	Yes (for 0% Gulf)
Common-law certificate of origin	Chamber of commerce	24 h to a few days	20 to 60 TND	Depending on market
Phytosanitary / sanitary certificate	Competent Tunisian authority	Before shipment	Variable	Yes (Gulf: original required)
Bill of lading (B/L)	Shipping line or freight forwarder	At loading	Included in freight	Yes
Transport insurance certificate	Insurer	Immediate	0.2 to 0.6% of the CIF value	If CIF/CIP and beyond
Export customs declaration	Your freight forwarder (Tunisia TradeNet)	1 to 3 days	Forwarder's fees	Yes
Organic certificate (TRACES NT for the EU)	Certifying body (Ecocert…)	Before shipment	Included in certification	Yes if "organic" claimed

Data July 2026, to be confirmed with the bodies and your freight forwarder. Generate your exact list with the export documents checklist.

Key point: a "blocking" document does not only immobilize the goods — it can lose a customs advantage (EUR.1 → EU duty of €124.50/100 kg outside the quota) or trigger sampling at the importer's expense. Consistency between invoice, packing list and B/L is the leading cause of documentary dispute.

Box: buyer's side / seller's side

The same file is not prepared the same way depending on your role.

Angle	What the documentary file changes for you	Reflex
Buyer (importer)	What you must require before paying, and what will block your clearance	Require a COA per lot, a suitable EUR.1/CO, and check your importer registration (FDA, SFC, MAPA…)
Seller (exporter selling)	The documents that prove your seriousness and justify your price	Present approval, COA, certifications upfront: it shortens the sales cycle
Exporter (operational in Tunisia)	The documents to issue and have endorsed, in order	Anticipate EUR.1 and organic certification; do not pay for avoidable halal

Documentary golden rule: what falls to the importer (FDA prior notice, SFC license, MAPA registration) still blocks your goods if it is missing. Check it before shipping.

The commercial documents: proforma, invoice, packing list

The proforma invoice

The proforma invoice is the basis of the commercial agreement and the document that lets the buyer open a documentary credit or wire the deposit. It is a non-accounting document (an offer), not a sales invoice.

It must carry: the exact product description, the HS code 1509, the incoterm with the precise place ("FOB Radès"), the validity of the offer, the lead times and payment terms. Issue it error-free with the document generator.

The commercial invoice

The commercial invoice is the final sales invoice. Nothing should be omitted or wrongly described: if customs opens the load and finds a discrepancy, it is considered a serious fault. It must match the packing list and bill of lading to the cent.

The packing list

The packing list details each product in each package: number of cartons, bottles per carton, pallets, net and gross weight, dimensions, lot numbers. Consistency with the invoice is the leading cause of documentary dispute — hence the value of generating the three documents from a single entry.

Seller / exporter side: produce the proforma, invoice and packing list together, with consistent totals. The document generator does it from a single entry.

The COA (certificate of analysis): the quality document

The COA (Certificate of Analysis) attests to the commercial category of the oil. It is issued by the Office National de l'Huile (ONH) or an IOC-accredited laboratory, per lot, within a few days.

It carries the authoritative markers: free acidity (≤ 0.80% for extra virgin), peroxide value (≤ 20), K232/K270/ΔK, and often the polyphenols (≥ 250 mg/kg = EFSA health claim). Some markets impose a specific format: Brazil requires an original report in two copies, issued by a laboratory registered in the SISCOLE system, with strict formal statements — an incomplete report triggers immobilization at the importer's expense.

To interpret a COA, see the certifications & quality process page.

Proof of origin: EUR.1, Arab certificate, common law

The certificate of origin proves Tunisian origin and unlocks the customs advantage. The right document depends on the market:

Market	Origin document	What it unlocks
EU	EUR.1 certificate (or EUROMED)	Tariff quota at zero duty; without it, €124.50/100 kg
UK	UK-Tunisia agreement proof of origin	UK quota (not saturated)
Gulf / Arab countries	Arab certificate of origin (GAFTA)	Zero duty instead of 5% of the GCC tariff
Switzerland	EUR.1 certificate (EFTA)	Tariff line to be confirmed on Tares
USA, Canada, Brazil, Japan…	Common-law certificate of origin	Origin marking required at clearance

The EUR.1 is issued by Tunisian customs (24 h to a few days); the other certificates by the chamber of commerce. Note: the first request requires a complete supporting origin file filed once with the chamber (bylaws, customs code, product technical file…).

Exporter side: the EUR.1 is requested for each EU shipment. An oversight loses the 0% — a hidden cost that appears in no incoterm. See the incoterms guide.

The conformity certificates (phyto, sanitary, organic, fumigation)

Phytosanitary / sanitary certificate: in the Gulf, it must be the original (copies refused) and state quantity, weight, description, invoice and container numbers, plus "fit for human consumption".
Organic certificate: for the EU, the TRACES NT certificate is mandatory — its absence blocks release for free circulation. It is the classic oversight of first-time exporters. See Ecocert organic.
Wood treatment / marking (IPPC): mandatory marking on any wood packaging > 6 mm (EU, USA, Canada, Brazil, Gulf…). In Brazil, a live organism detected = refusal of the entire cargo. Alternative: plastic pallets or agglomerated wood, out of scope.
Halal certificate: only pursue it if you claim halal. It is mandatory in none of these countries for pure olive oil. In the UAE, no foreign halal mark is even allowed: print nothing, pay nothing (1,000 to 5,000 $/year avoidable).

The transport and payment documents

Bill of lading (B/L): receipt of the goods, proof of the transport contract and title of ownership. Require a CLEAN B/L (no reservations): a bank refuses to honor an LC presented with a bill of lading carrying reservations.
Transport insurance certificate: mandatory as soon as you sell CIF/CIP or beyond. Usual coverage: 110% of the CIF value.
Credit insurance (COTUNACE): covers non-payment at 80-90% of the receivable; recommended on any sale not paid in advance, essential on a risky market.
Documentary credit (LC) documents: presented within the LC's deadlines, via your bank.

Cost the impact of these items on your landed cost with the export cost calculator.

Mistakes to avoid with export documents

Inconsistency between invoice / packing list / B/L: the leading cause of documentary dispute. Issue them in one go.
Forgetting the EUR.1 (or the Arab CO): the buyer loses the zero duty → major hidden cost.
"Dirty" B/L (with reservations): the bank refuses the LC.
COA in the wrong format: in Brazil, an incomplete SISCOLE report immobilizes the goods.
Sanitary certificate as a copy in the Gulf: the original is required.
Forgetting the TRACES NT for EU organic: block on arrival.
Paying for a useless halal certificate: avoidable on pure oil.
Ignoring importer formalities (FDA prior notice, SFC license, MAPA registration ~120 days): they block your container even if they are not your responsibility.

Golden rules

Generate together the proforma, invoice and packing list — consistency guaranteed.
Adapt the proof of origin to the market: EUR.1 (EU), Arab CO (Gulf), common law elsewhere.
One COA per lot, in the format required by the destination country.
Check the importer side on long registrations (Brazil ~120 days, FDA agent) before shipping.
Anticipate: EUR.1, organic certification and registrations are prepared upstream, not the day before departure.

Document generator » — issue consistent proforma, invoice and packing list, then generate your checklist » suited to your destination.

FAQ — Olive oil export documents

What are the mandatory documents to export olive oil?

Proforma then commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (B/L), certificate of origin (EUR.1 for the EU, Arab for the Gulf, common law elsewhere), the lot's COA from an IOC-accredited laboratory, and phytosanitary/sanitary certificates. Depending on the market, organic, fumigation, insurance or documentary credit certificates are added.

Who issues the EUR.1 certificate of origin?

Tunisian customs issues the EUR.1, in 24 h to a few days, for an indicative cost of 20 to 60 TND. The Arab (GAFTA) and common-law certificates of origin are issued by the chamber of commerce and industry. The first request requires a complete supporting origin file.

What is a COA and who issues it?

The COA (certificate of analysis) attests to the oil's category (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270, polyphenols). It is issued per lot by the Office National de l'Huile or an IOC-accredited laboratory, within a few days. Some markets (Brazil) impose a specific format and laboratory.

Which certificate of origin to import into the EU?

The EUR.1 certificate (or EUROMED). It unlocks the Tunisian tariff quota at zero duty. Without it, the EU duty outside the preference reaches €124.50/100 kg, which wipes out the margin. It is requested for each shipment.

Is the bill of lading (B/L) essential?

Yes. The B/L is the receipt of the goods, the proof of the transport contract and a title of ownership. Require a CLEAN bill of lading, without reservations: a bank refuses to honor a documentary credit presented with a B/L carrying reservations.

What documents must the buyer/importer provide?

Depending on their country: FDA registration + prior notice + FSVP (USA), SFC license (Canada, via the CFIA), MAPA/SIPEAGRO importer registration (Brazil, up to ~120 days), ZAD/FIRS registration (UAE), EU import license. These formalities fall to the importer but block the goods if they are missing.

Do you need a halal certificate to export olive oil?

No, not for pure olive oil: halal is mandatory in none of the covered markets. Requiring it means creating a claim to justify. In the UAE, no foreign halal mark is even allowed. Conclusion: print nothing, pay nothing (1,000 to 5,000 $/year avoidable).

How much do export documents cost?

Indicative benchmarks: COA ~900 TND/container, EUR.1 or certificate of origin 20 to 60 TND, transport insurance 0.2 to 0.6% of the CIF value, COTUNACE credit insurance ~0.1 to 0.6% of turnover, plus the freight forwarder's fees for the customs declaration.

How to prevent a document from blocking the container at the port?

Three reflexes: generate a consistent invoice, proforma and packing list in one go; obtain the EUR.1/CO and the COA in the right format early; check the importer-side registrations (FDA, SFC, MAPA) before shipment. Use the documentary checklist to forget nothing.

Does the COA format change by country?

Yes. Brazil requires an original report in two copies issued by a laboratory registered in the SISCOLE system, with strict formal statements (method uncertainty, pagination). An incomplete report triggers sampling and immobilization at the importer's expense.

When do you need a transport insurance certificate?

As soon as you sell CIF, CIP or beyond (DAP, DDP): the seller then takes out the policy, generally at 110% of the CIF value. In FOB, CFR or EXW, insurance is the buyer's responsibility. See the incoterms guide.

Can you automatically generate your commercial documents?

Yes. Our document generator produces the proforma invoice, commercial invoice and packing list from a single entry, with consistent totals across the three — which eliminates the leading cause of documentary dispute.

Assemble your file flawlessly

You know each document, its issuer, its lead time and its cost. The next step: produce a consistent and complete file for your destination.

Document generator » then personalized documentary checklist ».

Request a free quote — a dated quotation + a typical documentary file for your market. Drawer pre-filled "Export documents guide".

Free PDF checklist (lead magnet): receive by email the "Olive oil export documentary file" checklist — each document with its issuing body, its lead time, its cost and its blocking status, ready to tick. Simple sign-up (Brevo double opt-in), no spam. Get the PDF checklist »

To go further, read the complete A-Z guide to importing Tunisian olive oil and the transport & packaging guide.

Data July 2026, indicative and to be re-checked before any commitment. Sources: IOC/T.15/NC trade standard, EU regulation (EUR.1/tariff quota), ONH (Tunisia), issuing bodies cited.