Tunisian olive oil markets by country: duties, agreements

Q: How to read an export market?

Direct answer: a market is read on four variables — the customs duty applied to Tunisian origin, the agreement that lowers it (EU quota, GAFTA, EFTA, MFN), the import VAT / tax , and the edge or cultural constraint specific to the country. These four variables determine your landed cost and your commercial strategy. This hub brings them t

Q: What are the customs duties on Tunisian olive oil in the EU?

Within the EU tariff quota 09.4032 (~56,700 t/yr) and on presentation of a EUR.1 , the duty is 0% . Outside the quota it rises to €124.50/100 kg , which wipes out the margin. The quota is saturated every year within the first few weeks : certificates must be filed early.

Q: How do you get a 0% duty in the Gulf?

Through the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) : an Arab certificate of origin drops the GCC duty from 5% to 0% in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. It is the most profitable document in the file. Local VAT remains due (15% KSA, 5% UAE, 0% Qatar).

Q: Is the United Kingdom an easy market for Tunisian oil?

Yes: it offers a bilateral quota of 7,723 t/yr at 0% , unfilled (unlike the EU quota), on proof of origin. VAT on edible oil there is 0% . Chains in practice expect BRCGS certification and a responsible party established in the UK on the label.

Q: What customs duties apply in the United States?

The MFN duty is about 3.4 ¢/kg for bulk (5 ¢/kg retail), with no federal VAT. A Section 122 surtax has been applied but its status is in flux — to be re-verified before quoting. The main issue remains FDA / FSVP compliance on the importer's side.

Q: Does Canada apply duties on olive oil?

No: the duty is 0% (MFN rate) , with no preference needed. The 5% GST (recoverable) plus provincial tax apply. The importer must hold an SFC licence and labelling must be bilingual FR/EN — a natural edge for Tunisian exporters.

Q: Can olive oil be exported in bulk to Switzerland at 0%?

No: the EFTA duty-free access is reserved for oil packaged in glass ≤ 2 L , within a quota of about 1,000 t/yr . Bulk does not enter duty-free . The duty is calculated on gross weight and VAT is 2.6% . Switzerland remains the market where oil is imported at the highest price in the world.

Q: Why do Italy and Spain buy Tunisian bulk?

Italy is the world's leading processor: it imports bulk massively to re-bottle it under an Italian label (with the mention "blend of EU / non-EU oils"). Spain is the No. 1 buyer of Tunisian bulk , often to refine, blend or re-bottle. These are bulk trading markets, very price-driven, at 0% via EUR.1.

Q: What is special about the Brazilian market?

Since March 2025, extra virgin (NCM 1509.20.00) enters at 0% duty, whereas other grades pay 9% . The importer must be registered with MAPA (~120 days), each lot undergoes a SISCOLE arrival analysis , and the label must be in Portuguese .

In brief

Each market has its own customs duties, agreement, VAT and buying culture. For Tunisian olive oil (HS code 1509), three broad cases emerge: EU markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain) at 0% within the EU tariff quota 09.4032 (~56,700 t/yr) via EUR.1, but often saturated; the Gulf at 0% under GAFTA on an Arab certificate of origin; and markets without a preferential agreement (United States, Japan) where the duty depends on the MFN rate. The United Kingdom offers an unfilled bilateral quota of 7,723 t/yr; Canada is already at 0% MFN; Switzerland reserves EFTA duty-free access for glass ≤ 2 L; Brazil applies 0% to extra virgin. Choose your market in the table and follow the link to its dedicated page. Benchmarks.

Check duties and VAT for your market with the customs checker and the export cost calculator.

How to read an export market?

Direct answer: a market is read on four variables — the customs duty applied to Tunisian origin, the agreement that lowers it (EU quota, GAFTA, EFTA, MFN), the import VAT / tax, and the edge or cultural constraint specific to the country. These four variables determine your landed cost and your commercial strategy. This hub brings them together and points to the full page for each market.

The customs duty is almost never the only issue: access to the quota (EU saturated, UK open), the required format (glass ≤ 2 L in Switzerland, small formats in Japan), the importer's registration (FDA, SFC, MAPA, SFDA) and labelling (Arabic, Portuguese, bilingual) weigh as much as the tariff. The acronyms (EUR.1, GAFTA, MFN…) are defined in the glossary.

Table of markets by country

All values are dated July 2026 and **to be re-verified before any firm quotation **. Duties applied to Tunisian origin, HS code 1509.

Market	Duty / agreement (TN origin)	Import VAT / tax	Key edge / constraint	Dedicated page
United States	MFN ~3.4 ¢/kg (bulk) to 5 ¢/kg; Section 122 surtax in flux	No federal VAT	Huge market, strong private label; FDA/FSVP on the importer's side	United States »
Canada	0% (MFN) — no preference needed	GST 5% (+ provincial tax)	FR/EN bilingualism; TN ≈ 27% of the market by value; importer's SFC licence	Canada »
France	0% — EU quota 09.4032 via EUR.1 (often saturated → AGRIM licence)	VAT 5.5%	Demanding brand market; strong private label; quota access is the real issue	France »
Germany	0% — EU quota via EUR.1	VAT 7%	No. 1 organic market in Europe: organic certification all but essential	Germany »
Gulf (KSA, UAE, Qatar)	0% — GAFTA via Arab certificate of origin (otherwise 5% GCC)	VAT 15% KSA / 5% UAE / 0% Qatar	Arabic label mandatory; importer product registration; halal not required	Gulf »
United Kingdom	0% — bilateral quota 7,723 t/yr UNFILLED	VAT 0% (zero-rated)	Easiest access to the zero rate; BRCGS expected; UK responsible party on the label	United Kingdom »
Switzerland	EFTA duty-free reserved for glass ≤ 2 L, quota ~1,000 t/yr; duty on gross weight	VAT 2.6%	Premium market, most expensive in the world; bulk not duty-free	Switzerland »
Italy	0% — EU quota 09.4032 via EUR.1	VAT 4% (the lowest in Europe)	World's leading processor: bulk trade for re-bottling	Italy »
Spain	0% — EU quota 09.4032 via EUR.1	VAT 4%	No. 1 buyer of Tunisian bulk; very price-driven market	Spain »
Japan	0% (MFN) — no preferential certificate	Consumption tax 8%	Extreme quality, small formats (250 ml), premium, slow relationship	Japan »
Brazil	Extra virgin 0%; other grades 9%	Local taxation	MAPA registration (~120 days); SISCOLE arrival analysis; Portuguese label	Brazil »

These benchmarks are indicative and to be re-verified: tariffs (notably the US one) and quota access evolve. Confirm with the customs checker before any firm quotation.

The three main families of access

1. EU markets: 0% but saturated quota

France, Germany, Italy and Spain share the same framework: 0% within the EU tariff quota 09.4032 (~56,700 t/yr) on presentation of a EUR.1, versus €124.50/100 kg outside the quota — a duty that wipes out any margin. The real issue is not the rate but access to the quota, saturated every year within the first few weeks. The importer must hold an AGRIM licence to draw down the quota. Major difference: Italy and Spain are bulk trading markets (re-bottling), Germany an organic market, France a demanding brand market.

2. The Gulf: 0% via the Arab certificate of origin

The Gulf (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar) applies a GCC duty of 5%, reduced to 0% under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) on presentation of an Arab certificate of origin — the most profitable document in the file. VAT varies: 15% in KSA, 5% in the UAE, 0% in Qatar. Constants: Arabic label mandatory, product registration at the importer's charge (SFDA/ZAD/Watheq), and halal not required for a 100% vegetable oil.

3. Outside preferences: MFN, bilateral quotas and special cases

United States: MFN duty (~3.4 ¢/kg bulk, 5 ¢/kg retail), no federal VAT, but Section 122 surtax in flux; the real issue = FDA/FSVP compliance on the importer's side and strong private label appetite.
Canada: already 0% MFN, no preference needed; edge: FR/EN bilingualism, importer's SFC licence.
United Kingdom: bilateral quota of 7,723 t/yr at 0%, unfilled — the easiest preferential access; BRCGS certification expected.
Switzerland: EFTA duty-free reserved for glass ≤ 2 L within a quota of ~1,000 t/yr — bulk does not enter duty-free; the most expensive premium market in the world.
Japan: 0% MFN with no certificate, but a quality and relationship filter; small premium formats.
Brazil: extra virgin at 0%, other grades at 9%; MAPA registration (~120 days) and SISCOLE arrival analysis.

Panel: buyer's side / seller's side

Angle	What the market changes for you	Reflex
Buyer (importer)	Your duties, your VAT and your own import formalities	Check duties + VAT at destination; anticipate your registration (FDA, SFC, MAPA, SFDA…)
Seller (exporter making the sale)	The proof of origin and format required condition the sale	Obtain the EUR.1 or the Arab CO; adapt format and label to the market
Exporter (Tunisia operations)	Quota access and the campaign calendar	File the certificates early (EU quota saturated); prioritise open-access markets (UK)

Mistakes to avoid when choosing a market

Missing the EU quota window: full rate (€124.50/100 kg) instead of the zero rate.
Forgetting the EUR.1 or the Arab certificate of origin: loss of the preferential 0%.
Selling bulk to Switzerland hoping for EFTA duty-free access (reserved for glass ≤ 2 L).
Printing pointless halal for the Gulf (not required on a 100% vegetable oil).
Underestimating importer formalities (FDA/FSVP, SFC, MAPA ~120 days): they hold up the container.
Attacking Japan on the first container: a second-stage market, quality and relationship first.

FAQ — Tunisian olive oil markets by country

What are the customs duties on Tunisian olive oil in the EU?

Within the EU tariff quota 09.4032 (~56,700 t/yr) and on presentation of a EUR.1, the duty is 0%. Outside the quota it rises to €124.50/100 kg, which wipes out the margin. The quota is saturated every year within the first few weeks: certificates must be filed early.

What is the EU tariff quota 09.4032?

It is the quota that allows Tunisian olive oil to enter the EU at a zero rate (~56,700 t/yr) with a EUR.1. It applies to France, Germany, Italy, Spain and all member states. It runs out every year; the importer must hold an AGRIM licence to draw it down.

How do you get a 0% duty in the Gulf?

Through the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA): an Arab certificate of origin drops the GCC duty from 5% to 0% in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. It is the most profitable document in the file. Local VAT remains due (15% KSA, 5% UAE, 0% Qatar).

Is the United Kingdom an easy market for Tunisian oil?

Yes: it offers a bilateral quota of 7,723 t/yr at 0%, unfilled (unlike the EU quota), on proof of origin. VAT on edible oil there is 0%. Chains in practice expect BRCGS certification and a responsible party established in the UK on the label.

What customs duties apply in the United States?

The MFN duty is about 3.4 ¢/kg for bulk (5 ¢/kg retail), with no federal VAT. A Section 122 surtax has been applied but its status is in flux — to be re-verified before quoting. The main issue remains FDA / FSVP compliance on the importer's side.

Does Canada apply duties on olive oil?

No: the duty is 0% (MFN rate), with no preference needed. The 5% GST (recoverable) plus provincial tax apply. The importer must hold an SFC licence and labelling must be bilingual FR/EN — a natural edge for Tunisian exporters.

Can olive oil be exported in bulk to Switzerland at 0%?

No: the EFTA duty-free access is reserved for oil packaged in glass ≤ 2 L, within a quota of about 1,000 t/yr. Bulk does not enter duty-free. The duty is calculated on gross weight and VAT is 2.6%. Switzerland remains the market where oil is imported at the highest price in the world.

Why do Italy and Spain buy Tunisian bulk?

Italy is the world's leading processor: it imports bulk massively to re-bottle it under an Italian label (with the mention "blend of EU / non-EU oils"). Spain is the No. 1 buyer of Tunisian bulk, often to refine, blend or re-bottle. These are bulk trading markets, very price-driven, at 0% via EUR.1.

What is special about the Brazilian market?

Since March 2025, extra virgin (NCM 1509.20.00) enters at 0% duty, whereas other grades pay 9%. The importer must be registered with MAPA (~120 days), each lot undergoes a SISCOLE arrival analysis, and the label must be in Portuguese.

Is organic certification needed for Germany?

In practice, yes: Germany is the No. 1 organic market in Europe, and EU organic certification (Ecocert type) is all but essential there for broad listing. The customs framework remains the EU quota at 0% via EUR.1, with VAT of 7%.

Is halal mandatory for the Gulf?

No. Halal is not mandatory for a 100% vegetable olive oil — don't print it by default. What is mandatory in the Gulf: the Arabic label and product registration (SFDA in KSA, ZAD/FIRS in the UAE, Watheq in Qatar), at the importer's charge.

Which market should I choose for a first export?

It depends on your product and your documentary capacity. Markets with open preferential access (United Kingdom, unfilled quota) or at 0% MFN (Canada) are the simplest. EU markets offer 0% but require capturing the quota early. Estimate your landed cost per market with the export cost calculator.

Choose your market and move forward

You have the map of the markets: duties, agreements, VAT and edges. Open the page for the country that interests you for the full detail (formalities, labelling, buying culture).

United States · Canada · France · Germany · Gulf · United Kingdom

Switzerland · Italy · Spain · Japan · Brazil

Customs checker » — duties and VAT by market · Export cost calculator » — landed cost by origin and incoterm.

Request a free quote — dated quotation with duties, VAT and formalities for your target market. Drawer pre-filled "Markets by country".

For logistics, see also the export documents, maritime transport, ports & transit and incoterms.

July 2026 data, indicative and to be re-verified before any commitment. Sources: EU regulation (tariff quota TRQ 09.4032, EUR.1), GAFTA (Arab certificate of origin), UK-Tunisia continuity agreement (7,723 t quota), Tunisia-EFTA agreement (Switzerland), MFN tariffs (United States, Canada, Japan), MAPA/SISCOLE regulation (Brazil).