Importing Tunisian Olive Oil into the United States

Q: What customs duty does Tunisian olive oil pay in the United States?

The MFN duty is 5¢/kg in retail packaging (< 18 kg) and 3.4¢/kg in bulk . On top of this, as of 07/20/2026, comes a Section 122 surtax of 10% that expires on July 24, 2026 . While it runs, the total customs cost is about 11% ; if it expires with no successor, it drops back toward 1% . To be confirmed with a customs broker .

Q: Will the 10% surtax really disappear on July 24, 2026?

As of 07/20/2026, no replacement text was in force and the Section 122 surtax is dated to expire on 07/24/2026 at 00:01. But the U.S. administration has already acted within days in the past: treat this date as to be re-verified that same morning with your broker, and insert a revision clause in any offer that straddles it.

Q: Is there a VAT on import into the United States?

No, there is no federal VAT. Sales taxes are levied at the state level, at the retail stage, not on import. This simplifies the landed cost compared to Europe.

Q: Under which customs code is olive oil classified?

Under HS code 1509 : 1509.20 for extra virgin, 1509.30 for virgin, 1509.40 for other virgin oils (including lampante). The 18 kg threshold separates retail packaging from bulk and may change the tariff line and the duty.

Q: Which FDA documents are mandatory to import?

The FDA Food Facility Registration (renewable every 2 years), the designation of a U.S. Agent , the Prior Notice before each shipment, and the FSVP program for supplier verification — the latter being the importer's responsibility.

Q: Who is responsible for FSVP compliance?

It is the importer (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) who must verify that their foreign supplier produces under compliant food-safety conditions. The Tunisian exporter facilitates this work by providing COA, specifications, and traceability.

Q: Can Tunisia benefit from a tariff preference?

No. The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) expired at the end of 2020 and was not renewed; the "A" code still shown in the tariff's Special column is inoperative for Tunisia. There is therefore no preferential exemption, only the MFN duty (+ surtax where applicable).

Q: Is there an antidumping duty on Tunisian olive oil?

No. No antidumping duty hits Tunisian olive oil. The existing antidumping duty targets Spanish table olives — a different product and origin. Tunisia is, moreover, subject to no Section 301 investigation .

Q: How must olive oil be labeled for the U.S. market?

With a Nutrition Facts panel (1 tbsp serving), a dual unit of measure (US + metric), the exact common name ("Extra Virgin Olive Oil"), the country of origin , and the name/address of the U.S. responsible party. EU/EFSA health claims do not transpose: only FDA-authorized claims are permitted.

Logistics corridor

Sfax · departureEtats unis

Usual entry requirements

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

How do you import Tunisian olive oil into the United States?

To import Tunisian olive oil into the United States, your oil enters under HS code 1509, through a port such as New York, paying the MFN duty of 5¢/kg (retail) or 3.4¢/kg (bulk), on top of which, as of 07/20/2026, comes a Section 122 surtax of 10% that expires on July 24, 2026. There is no federal VAT. On the compliance side, the importer must handle FDA registration, a U.S. Agent, the Prior Notice, and the FSVP program.

The United States is one of the largest olive oil import markets in the world (~437,000 t/year), and Tunisia is a major supplier there — the 3rd destination for Tunisian exports. Zitouna Export ships in bulk (flexitank, IBC, drums) and under private label, with per-batch COA and certificates of origin.

Import data — United States (olive oil)

All values below are dated July 2026 and must be re-verified before any firm quotation — the U.S. tariff is in flux.

Item	Data	Note
Typical port of entry	New York / New Jersey (also Los Angeles, Savannah)	By sea from Radès
HS code	1509.20 (extra virgin), 1509.30 (virgin), 1509.40 (lampante)	2022 HS revision structure
MFN duty — retail (bottles/cans < 18 kg)	5¢/kg (HTS 1509.20.20)	Applies to the content and the container
MFN duty — bulk (flexitank/IBC/drum > 18 kg)	3.4¢/kg (HTS 1509.20.90)	On net weight
Section 122 surtax	+10% ad valorem — EXPIRES on 07/24/2026 at 00:01	No replacement text in force as of 07/20/2026
Total customs cost (while the surtax runs)	≈ 11.1% retail / 10.9% bulk	To be confirmed with a customs broker
Total customs cost (if the surtax expires with no successor)	≈ 1.1% retail / 0.9% bulk	A ~10× spread on the same container
Tariff preference	None — the U.S. GSP expired at the end of 2020 and was not renewed	The tariff's "A" code is inoperative for Tunisia
Federal VAT	None	State-level sales taxes, not applicable on import
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)	0.3464% — min. $33.58, cap $651.50	Per import entry
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)	0.125%	Arrival by sea only
Taxable base	Transaction value (FOB), excluding international freight & insurance	A CIF base inflates the calculation
Certificate of origin	Standard certificate of origin	Required at customs clearance

The 10% surtax expires on July 24, 2026. The same container may cost roughly ten times more or ten times less depending on its clearance date. Shift the arrival if you can, and include a revision clause in any offer that straddles this date. Confirm with a customs broker on the morning of the 24th: the U.S. administration has already acted within days in the past.

What is settled (and in your favor): the 2025 "reciprocal" tariffs (including the 25% Tunisian rate) were struck down by the Supreme Court on February 20, 2026 and have not been collected since February 24. Tunisia is subject to no Section 301 investigation (unlike Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, or Turkey), olive oil is out of scope of Section 232, and no antidumping duty hits it (the one that exists targets Spanish table olives — a different product and origin).

Calculate your exact amount based on the arrival date with our customs duty checker, and your total landed cost with the price & margin simulator.

Local demand & market size

The United States is one of the top olive oil importers in the world — on the order of 437,000 t/year, with domestic production (California) covering only a small share of consumption. The market combines a price-sensitive "mainstream" core (bottles at $8–15 in mass retail) and a dynamic premium niche (single-origin, PDO, and monovarietal oils that can exceed $38–54/L at retail).

Tunisia holds a major position there: it ranks among the very top countries of origin, and the United States is the 3rd destination for Tunisian exports. The Tunisian advantage is objective: a bulk price at origin of €3.8–4.0/kg, versus €4.1–4.5/kg in Jaén (Spain) and €6.5–7.0/kg in Bari (Italy), and 26 awards at NYIOOC 2024 — the benchmark competition, judged in New York.

Required documents & certificates

To import into the United States, most of the compliance burden falls on the importer (FDA/FSVP), while the Tunisian exporter provides the commercial and sanitary documents.

Commercial invoice + packing list
Ocean bill of lading (B/L)
Standard certificate of origin
Certificate of analysis (COA) per batch, from an IOC-accredited laboratory (mandatory for Tunisian exports)
Phytosanitary certificate as required
FDA Food Facility Registration, to be renewed every 2 years
U.S. Agent designated with the FDA
Prior Notice submitted to the FDA before each shipment
FSVP program (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) — the importer's responsibility, who must verify their foreign supplier
Customs bond and entry filed by the customs broker / importer of record

Generate your complete list, customized for the USA + bulk or packaged, with our export documents checklist.

Labeling & FDA regulation

U.S. food labeling falls under the FDA (21 CFR) and differs markedly from the EU. Key points for olive oil:

Nutrition Facts panel required, with the standard serving of 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp ≈ 14 g).
Dual unit of measure: weight/volume in US and metric units (fl oz + mL).
Exact common name by category ("Extra Virgin Olive Oil"), name & address of the U.S. responsible party (manufacturer, packer, or distributor).
Country of origin ("Product of Tunisia") required.
No health claim not authorized by the FDA; EU/EFSA claims (polyphenols) do not transpose as-is.
Amazon FBA: same FDA rules (registered facility + U.S. Agent + FSVP + Prior Notice on every shipment); label with Nutrition Facts (1 tbsp) and dual weight units.

Check a mock-up's compliance with our label checker.

Buying culture & expectations of American buyers

Understanding how an American importer buys changes everything in the relationship. Here is what sets this market apart.

Strong appetite for private label. Many buyers — bottlers, specialty distributors, chains — source in bulk to bottle under their own brand or a store brand. This is often the fastest way in (see our private label offer). Platforms like RangeMe and supplier programs (KeHE "Elevate", UNFI "UpNext") structure this sourcing.
Two markets in one. The mainstream is highly price-sensitive (Tunisian bulk is an unbeatable argument here); the premium niche values origin, monovarietal, organic, and awards (NYIOOC). Position your offer clearly on one or the other.
Contract and document culture. The American buyer expects a precise spec sheet, reference samples with COA, and a clear contract (specifications, tolerances, incoterm, quantities). A handshake counts for less than a signed document.
Responsiveness expected. Fast email replies, dated quotations, up-to-date product availability: slowness loses the sale. The commercial pace is faster than in Southern Europe.
FDA/FSVP compliance is their concern. The importer carries the FSVP responsibility; make their life easier (COA, specifications, traceability, any certifications) and you become a supplier they keep.

Buyer side (U.S. importer/distributor): secure quality per batch (COA + sample), lock in the incoterm (FOB Radès remains the standard), and plan the clearance date given the surtax expiring on 07/24/2026. Seller/exporter side: prepare a spec sheet in English + US units, quote fast, and offer private label to shorten the cycle. Train yourself in export.

Organic box — USDA NOP

Organic is a growing segment in the United States. To sell "organic," the oil must be USDA NOP certified (National Organic Program) — the EU Organic / Ecocert certification is not sufficient on its own in the U.S. market, even though EU-U.S. equivalence eases the process. The Tunisian terroir (arid climate, low pest pressure, extensive olive groves) is naturally suited to organic, and Tunisia is a major exporter of organic EVOO. Our EVOO is available in USDA NOP certified organic (on request, audit cost to budget for).

See our page organic olive oil for the United States.

Your tools for importing into the United States

Customs duty checker — MFN duty + Section 122 surtax by date, MPF/HMF, FOB base.
Price & margin simulator — total landed cost to the U.S. port.
Export documents checklist — FDA/FSVP file + commercial docs, customized for the USA.

FAQ — Importing Tunisian olive oil into the United States

What customs duty does Tunisian olive oil pay in the United States?

The MFN duty is 5¢/kg in retail packaging (< 18 kg) and 3.4¢/kg in bulk. On top of this, as of 07/20/2026, comes a Section 122 surtax of 10% that expires on July 24, 2026. While it runs, the total customs cost is about 11%; if it expires with no successor, it drops back toward 1%. To be confirmed with a customs broker.

Will the 10% surtax really disappear on July 24, 2026?

As of 07/20/2026, no replacement text was in force and the Section 122 surtax is dated to expire on 07/24/2026 at 00:01. But the U.S. administration has already acted within days in the past: treat this date as to be re-verified that same morning with your broker, and insert a revision clause in any offer that straddles it.

Is there a VAT on import into the United States?

No, there is no federal VAT. Sales taxes are levied at the state level, at the retail stage, not on import. This simplifies the landed cost compared to Europe.

Under which customs code is olive oil classified?

Under HS code 1509: 1509.20 for extra virgin, 1509.30 for virgin, 1509.40 for other virgin oils (including lampante). The 18 kg threshold separates retail packaging from bulk and may change the tariff line and the duty.

Which FDA documents are mandatory to import?

The FDA Food Facility Registration (renewable every 2 years), the designation of a U.S. Agent, the Prior Notice before each shipment, and the FSVP program for supplier verification — the latter being the importer's responsibility.

Who is responsible for FSVP compliance?

It is the importer (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) who must verify that their foreign supplier produces under compliant food-safety conditions. The Tunisian exporter facilitates this work by providing COA, specifications, and traceability.

Can Tunisia benefit from a tariff preference?

No. The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) expired at the end of 2020 and was not renewed; the "A" code still shown in the tariff's Special column is inoperative for Tunisia. There is therefore no preferential exemption, only the MFN duty (+ surtax where applicable).

Is there an antidumping duty on Tunisian olive oil?

No. No antidumping duty hits Tunisian olive oil. The existing antidumping duty targets Spanish table olives — a different product and origin. Tunisia is, moreover, subject to no Section 301 investigation.

How must olive oil be labeled for the U.S. market?

With a Nutrition Facts panel (1 tbsp serving), a dual unit of measure (US + metric), the exact common name ("Extra Virgin Olive Oil"), the country of origin, and the name/address of the U.S. responsible party. EU/EFSA health claims do not transpose: only FDA-authorized claims are permitted.

Is private label common in the United States?

Yes, very. Many importers and chains source in bulk to bottle under their own brand or a store brand. This is often the fastest way in. For mass retail, an IFS Food or BRCGS certification is generally expected. See our private label offer.

On which basis is the duty calculated: FOB or CIF?

On the transaction value, excluding international freight and insurance — so a base close to FOB, not CIF. If you calculate on a CIF value, your duty estimate will be inflated. In retail packaging, the 5¢/kg duty applies moreover to the content and the container.

What is the delivery lead time to the United States?

Allow for batch preparation + ONH analysis + documents, then the ocean transit Radès → East Coast (indicatively 2–3 weeks, to be confirmed by port and forwarder), plus customs clearance. Budget for demurrage and plan the arrival date with the 07/24/2026 deadline in mind.

Does organic sell well, and what certification is needed?

Organic is a growing segment, but you need USDA NOP certification to claim "organic" in the United States — EU Organic alone is not sufficient. Tunisia is a major supplier of organic EVOO and the terroir there is naturally favorable. See organic olive oil for the United States.

Request your quote for the United States

Volume, format (flexitank / IBC / drum or packaged), incoterm (FOB Radès recommended), desired arrival date (decisive given the surtax expiring on 07/24/2026), private label or your own brand, USDA NOP organic or conventional: tell us your need, and we'll send you a dated quotation with a reference sample and COA.

Request a free quote — drawer pre-filled "Destination: United States."

Lead magnet: download our United States country sheet (dated duties & surtax, FDA/FSVP file, Nutrition Facts labeling, document checklist, importer contacts).

See also: export markets hub · incoterms · export documentation · bulk EVOO.