Exporting Tunisian olive oil to Saudi Arabia

Q: What customs duty does Tunisian olive oil pay in Saudi Arabia?

The GCC common external tariff is 5% , but it drops to 0% under GAFTA upon presentation of an Arab certificate of origin . A 15% VAT is added.

Q: What is the Arab certificate of origin and why is it crucial?

It is the document that proves Tunisian origin under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and moves the duty from 5% to 0% . It gives Tunisia a 5-point advantage over European origins. It is the most profitable document in the file.

Q: What VAT applies in Saudi Arabia?

The VAT is 15% , the highest in the Gulf. It is recoverable by the taxable importer, but weighs heavily on cash flow and the final sale price: factor it into the landed price.

Q: What is the SFDA?

The SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) is the authority with which the product and label must be registered before importation . This registration is the importer's responsibility .

Q: Does the SFDA require an analysis for the "extra virgin" claim?

Yes. The SFDA expects a compliance analysis consistent with the declared category: an oil labelled "extra virgin" must show parameters compliant with the category threshold. A discrepancy between the label and the COA is grounds for rejection.

Q: Is the Arabic label mandatory?

Yes , the Arabic label is mandatory in Saudi Arabia.

Q: Is halal mandatory for olive oil in Saudi Arabia?

Halal is not required for a 100% plant-based olive oil. Do not print it by default — have it confirmed in writing by the importer before any mention.

Q: What is the size of the Saudi market for olive oil?

Saudi Arabia reportedly imported in the order of 35,000 tonnes in 2024 and already accounts for around 5.5% of Tunisian exports . It is the largest outlet in the Gulf.

Q: Under which customs code is olive oil classified in Saudi Arabia?

Under HS code 1509 : 1509.20 (extra virgin), 1509.30 (virgin), 1509.40 (other virgin oils). The 0% GAFTA duty applies upon presentation of the Arab certificate of origin.

Q: How to approach a Saudi buyer?

Through relationship before transaction : contact via WhatsApp , sending samples to taste and analyse, patience and responsiveness, and ideally a meeting at Gulfood . Think in recurring volumes : delivery regularity is a decisive criterion.

Logistics corridor

Sfax · departureArabie saoudite

Usual entry requirements

Certificate of analysis (COA) per lot
Market-compliant labelling
Certificate of origin
Organic certification if claimed

In brief

Saudi Arabia is the largest market in the Gulf and an already established outlet for Tunisian olive oil: it already accounts for around 5.5% of Tunisian exports, with some 35,000 tonnes imported in 2024. Your oil enters under HS code 1509, mainly via Jeddah. The GCC duty is 5%, but it drops to 0% under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) upon presentation of an Arab certificate of origin — the most profitable document in the file, and a clear advantage over European origins that pay the full tariff.

The sensitive point of the Saudi market is its 15% VAT, the highest in the Gulf: it weighs heavily on the landed price and the importer's cash flow. Product registration is mandatory with the SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) and is the importer's responsibility, with an Arabic label. A specific feature: the SFDA requires a compliance analysis consistent with the "extra virgin" claim — a claim that cannot be made without laboratory justification. Zitouna Export delivers in bulk (flexitank, IBC, drums) and private label, with a COA per lot compliant with IOC standards.

Customs & regulatory access

Values dated July 2026, to be re-verified before any firm quotation.

Item	Saudi Arabia
Customs code	HS 1509 (1509.20 extra virgin)
Typical port of entry	Jeddah
GCC duty (out of GAFTA)	5%
Duty with GAFTA	0%
Preferential document	Arab certificate of origin
VAT	15%
Product registration	SFDA (importer)
Labelling	Arabic mandatory
"Extra virgin" analysis	Compliance analysis required
Health certificate	Required

The Arab certificate of origin is worth 5 points of duty. Without it, your oil pays the GCC common external tariff (5%). With it, it enters at zero duty under GAFTA. It is the most profitable document in the entire file.

The 15% VAT is the heaviest in the Gulf. Same product, same container: Saudi Arabia applies 15% versus 5% in the UAE and 0% in Qatar. Be sure to factor it into your landed price — it is recoverable by the taxable importer, but weighs on cash flow and the final sale price.

The Saudi documentary file is formalistic. Non-negotiable points:

Commercial invoice + packing list
Ocean bill of lading (B/L)
Arab certificate of origin — key to the 0% GAFTA duty
Health certificate stating quantity, weight, description and "fit for human consumption"
Certificate of analysis (COA) per lot, IOC-accredited laboratory (mandatory for Tunisian exports) — the analysis must justify the "extra virgin" claim required by the SFDA
Product registration + label with the SFDA, the importer's responsibility, before importation
Organic certificate: only if the claim appears on the label

Labelling: Arabic and "extra virgin" compliance

Arabic mandatory on the label.
Analysis consistent with the claim. The SFDA expects a compliance analysis justifying the declared category: an oil labelled "extra virgin" must show parameters (acidity, peroxide value, etc.) compliant with the category threshold. A discrepancy between the label and the COA is grounds for rejection.
Label/analysis consistency. Any undeclared parameter or additive detected in the laboratory exposes the cargo to rejection.

Local demand & market size

Saudi Arabia is a net importer (marginal olive production) and the largest outlet in the Gulf. It is an already established market for Tunisia: around 5.5% of Tunisian exports are directed there, and the country reportedly imported in the order of 35,000 tonnes in 2024. Demand is driven by a large population, high purchasing power and rising health-conscious consumption.

The market is premium but high-volume: unlike a niche Qatar, Saudi Arabia absorbs significant volumes, making it a market of recurring full containers rather than occasional shipments. A high price is accepted as long as quality, origin and packaging follow.

The Tunisian advantage remains objective: bulk origin price around 3.80 €/kg FOB, well below European origins, with a terroir story (Chemlali/Chetoui varieties, arid climate) that is appreciated. The Arab certificate of origin also offers a 5-point duty differential over European origins — a decisive competitiveness lever on a market of this scale.

Buying culture & Saudi buyers' expectations

The Saudi market is relational before being transactional: you don't sell a container by cold email there, you build a relationship. What sets this market apart:

Relationship first. Trust precedes the order. A reliable and available contact opens the door — but this requires patience.
WhatsApp is the working channel. Negotiation and the follow-up of samples and orders largely go through WhatsApp, live and responsive.
Samples are essential. The buyer wants to taste and have analysed before committing. Provide well-prepared reference samples.
Gulfood is the meeting point. The Gulfood trade show in Dubai is the major contact point in the Gulf: many Saudi importers source there.
Premium is accepted, but volume comes first. Saudi Arabia values quality and origin, but also reasons in recurring volumes: the ability to deliver full containers regularly, with a consistent file, is a decisive criterion.
Documentary formalism is a test. A clean file (Arab certificate of origin, COA consistent with "extra virgin", SFDA registration) reassures the importer as much as the product. A rejection at the port (non-compliant analysis, undeclared additive) burns the relationship.

Buyer side (KSA importer/distributor): secure the Arab certificate of origin for the 0% duty, require a COA consistent with the "extra virgin" label, and validate the SFDA registration before shipment. Seller/exporter side: invest in the relationship (WhatsApp, samples, Gulfood), think in recurring volumes, and master the regulatory file (Arab origin, compliant analysis, Arabic label) — that's your passport.

Organic panel — a premium within the premium

Saudi Arabia is receptive to premium, and organic reinforces upmarket positioning. Our oil is available as Ecocert-certified organic (EU 2018/848). Note: the organic certificate is only useful at customs clearance if the organic claim appears on the label. The Tunisian terroir — arid climate, low pest pressure — is naturally suited to organic, a strong storytelling argument on a market sensitive to origin.

See our organic olive oil in bulk.

Logistics & incoterms

The reference port is Jeddah, on the Red Sea, well connected to Radès. For a first order, FOB Radès is the standard: you control the freight up to loading, the importer takes over. CIF Jeddah delivers a landed port price.

Available formats: flexitank (approx. 22–24 t, the most economical per kilo), IBC (1,000 L), drums, or packaged under a compliant Arabic label. The size of the Saudi market argues for recurring full containers (FCL). Factor the 15% VAT into the landed price — it is the item that weighs most heavily in the Gulf on the importer's cash flow.

FAQ — Exporting Tunisian olive oil to Saudi Arabia

What customs duty does Tunisian olive oil pay in Saudi Arabia?

The GCC common external tariff is 5%, but it drops to 0% under GAFTA upon presentation of an Arab certificate of origin. A 15% VAT is added.

What is the Arab certificate of origin and why is it crucial?

It is the document that proves Tunisian origin under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and moves the duty from 5% to 0%. It gives Tunisia a 5-point advantage over European origins. It is the most profitable document in the file.

What VAT applies in Saudi Arabia?

The VAT is 15%, the highest in the Gulf. It is recoverable by the taxable importer, but weighs heavily on cash flow and the final sale price: factor it into the landed price.

What is the SFDA?

The SFDA (Saudi Food and Drug Authority) is the authority with which the product and label must be registered before importation. This registration is the importer's responsibility.

Does the SFDA require an analysis for the "extra virgin" claim?

Yes. The SFDA expects a compliance analysis consistent with the declared category: an oil labelled "extra virgin" must show parameters compliant with the category threshold. A discrepancy between the label and the COA is grounds for rejection.

Is the Arabic label mandatory?

Yes, the Arabic label is mandatory in Saudi Arabia.

Is halal mandatory for olive oil in Saudi Arabia?

Halal is not required for a 100% plant-based olive oil. Do not print it by default — have it confirmed in writing by the importer before any mention.

What is the size of the Saudi market for olive oil?

Saudi Arabia reportedly imported in the order of 35,000 tonnes in 2024 and already accounts for around 5.5% of Tunisian exports. It is the largest outlet in the Gulf.

Under which customs code is olive oil classified in Saudi Arabia?

Under HS code 1509: 1509.20 (extra virgin), 1509.30 (virgin), 1509.40 (other virgin oils). The 0% GAFTA duty applies upon presentation of the Arab certificate of origin.

How to approach a Saudi buyer?

Through relationship before transaction: contact via WhatsApp, sending samples to taste and analyse, patience and responsiveness, and ideally a meeting at Gulfood. Think in recurring volumes: delivery regularity is a decisive criterion.

Can private label be done in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. We supply in bulk or packaged under a compliant Arabic label, with a COA justifying the category and SFDA registration as the importer's responsibility.

Which incoterm to choose for Saudi Arabia?

For a first order, FOB Radès is the standard. CIF Jeddah delivers a landed port price. The size of the market argues for recurring full containers (FCL).

Request your quote for Saudi Arabia

Volume, format (flexitank / IBC / drum or packaged), incoterm (FOB Radès or CIF Jeddah), private label or own brand, organic or conventional: give us your requirement, and we'll send you a dated quotation with a reference sample, a COA justifying the "extra virgin" category, and a clear note on the Arab certificate of origin, the 15% VAT and SFDA registration.

Request a free quote — drawer pre-filled with "Destination: Saudi Arabia".

See also: export markets hub · request a quote · Gulf market.