Importing Tunisian olive oil into the Netherlands

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

0% , but only within the EU tariff quota 09.4032 and with a EUR.1 certificate. Outside the quota, the duty rises to €124.50/100 kg (≈ €1.25/L).

Q: What is quota 09.4032 and why is it exhausted?

It's the EU tariff quota that allows Tunisian oil to enter the Union at 0%, within the limit of 56,700 t/year shared among all member states. It is exhausted every year , hence the importance of applying for the authorisation as soon as the campaign opens.

Q: Is a EUR.1 certificate needed to import into the Netherlands?

Yes , to benefit from the 0% duty. The EUR.1 justifies the preferential Tunisian origin under the EU-Tunisia association agreement; the olives must have been harvested in Tunisia. Up to €6,000 per shipment , an invoice declaration suffices.

Q: What is the AGRIM licence and who must hold it?

The AGRIM licence is the import title that allows the tariff quota to be drawn on . It is held by the importer established in the EU, not by the Tunisian supplier — to be verified contractually before shipping.

Q: Why is Rotterdam strategic for olive oil?

Rotterdam is Europe's leading re-export hub : a large part of the oil that enters there is redistributed to other countries. It's the ideal entry point for trading and transit within the EU.

Q: Is the Netherlands a consumption or a transit market?

Above all a trading and transit market . The bulk of the volumes that transit through Rotterdam are re-exported , not consumed locally. Buyers are mostly traders and importer-distributors .

Q: What is the most common port of entry?

Rotterdam , Europe's largest logistics platform, is the natural entry point from Radès; Amsterdam completes the setup.

Q: Does organic sell in the Netherlands?

Yes , and the Dutch market also serves as a redistribution platform for organic to the Nordic countries and Germany , which are highly demanding. Our oil is available in certified organic (EU 2018/848) , traced via TRACES . See our organic olive oil.

Q: How to approach a Dutch trader or importer?

With a clear, priced and documented offer : landed Rotterdam price, MOQ, acidity tolerances, COA and sample. The market is direct, factual and oriented towards volume, price and availability ; the technical sheet prevails over the story.

Q: Which incoterm to choose for the Netherlands?

For a first order, FOB Radès is the standard. CIF Rotterdam delivers a landed port price (freight + insurance included). We reserve DAP/DDP for trusted clients.

Logistics corridor

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Usual entry requirements

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

In brief

The Netherlands imports Tunisian olive oil (HS code 1509) at a 0% customs duty within the EU tariff quota 09.4032, upon presentation of a EUR.1 certificate justifying the Tunisian origin. It is above all a trading and transit market: Rotterdam is Europe's leading re-export hub, a logistics crossroads through which considerable volumes destined for the entire continent pass. The country is a prime outlet for an exporter targeting trading and redistribution rather than the retail brand. Zitouna Export supplies in bulk (flexitank, IBC, drums) and in private label, with a certificate of analysis (COA) per batch.

The real stake is not the rate, but access to the quota: the 56,700 t/year at 0% are shared at Union level and exhausted every year. Outside the quota, the duty rises to €124.50/100 kg (≈ €1.25/L), which wipes out any margin. The importer must hold an AGRIM licence to draw on the quota.

The EU quota & access to the Dutch market

Tunisian olive oil benefits, under the EU-Tunisia association agreement, from preferential access at a 0% duty — but only within the limit of the common tariff quota 09.4032, set at 56,700 tonnes per year for the entire European Union. This quota is shared among all member states and is exhausted every year.

Three conditions structure access to the Dutch market:

The EUR.1 certificate justifies the preferential Tunisian origin and conditions the 0% duty. The olives must have been harvested in Tunisia. Up to €6,000 per shipment, an origin declaration on the invoice suffices — convenient for samples.
The AGRIM licence allows the quota to be drawn on; it is held by the importer established in the EU, not by the Tunisian supplier. To be verified contractually before shipping.
Outside the quota, the batch switches to the full duty of €124.50/100 kg, which makes the operation unprofitable.

Item	Data	Note
Typical port of entry	Rotterdam (also Amsterdam)	Europe's leading re-export hub
HS code	1509 (extra virgin, virgin, lampante)	Harmonised system structure
Customs duty	0% within EU quota 09.4032	Outside quota: €124.50/100 kg
Preferential document	EUR.1 (or invoice declaration ≤ €6,000)	Tunisian origin = olives harvested in Tunisia
Quota	56,700 t/year for the whole EU, exhausted every year	Shared among member states
Importer licence	AGRIM to draw on the quota	Held by the importer
Organic certification	EU 2018/848 + TRACES	For certified organic batches

The quota is the real constraint, not the duty. The duty is nil, but only within the limit of quota 09.4032, shared at EU level and exhausted every year. Check that your importer holds their AGRIM licence and file the application as soon as the campaign opens.

Buying culture & expectations of Dutch buyers

The Netherlands is the trading and transit market par excellence in Europe. What sets this market apart:

Rotterdam, Europe's leading re-export hub. The port of Rotterdam is the continent's largest logistics platform, through which considerable volumes destined to be re-exported to other European countries pass. A large part of the olive oil that enters the Netherlands is not consumed there but redistributed. Buyers are therefore mostly traders who think in terms of volume, landed price, availability and turnover.
A professional, data-oriented market. The Dutch buyer expects a clear, priced and documented offer: landed Rotterdam price, MOQ, acidity specifications, COA per batch. The relationship is direct, factual and fast; the story matters less than the technical sheet and supply reliability.
Trading prevails over the brand. Unlike a retail market, the Dutch marketplace values above all the ability to supply regular volume at the right price. It's an ideal channel for moving bulk (flexitank, IBC) to traders who repackage or re-ship.
Organic has its place. The Dutch market is mature and integrates a growing organic demand; batches certified EU 2018/848 find buyers, notably for redistribution to the Nordic and German markets, which are highly demanding for organic.
An entry point to Germany and the Nordics. Many Dutch buyers supply the neighbouring markets most demanding for organic — Germany and Scandinavia. Having a certified organic oil (EU 2018/848) and a complete documentary file (COA, EUR.1, TRACES) often makes the difference in being selected by a trader who redistributes to these premium destinations.

The Tunisian advantage remains objective: bulk price at origin around €3.80/kg FOB, a competitive material cost on a trading market where a difference of one cent decides the sale. On a marketplace as competitive as Rotterdam, where all world origins cross paths, this cost advantage combined with award-winning quality and availability in organic constitutes a decisive selection argument for the trader.

Buyer side (NL trader/importer): rely on the Tunisian material-cost gap for your landed Rotterdam price, secure the quota (AGRIM licence + EUR.1) and quality per batch (COA + sample). Seller/exporter side: prepare a clear, priced offer (landed Rotterdam price, MOQ, tolerances), position yourself on trading and re-export to Northern Europe, and offer organic for Nordic redistribution.

Logistics & flows to the Netherlands

The flow starts from Radès (Tunisia) to Rotterdam by sea. Rotterdam offers the best connectivity in Europe for redistribution, which makes it the ideal entry point for an exporter targeting transit and re-export within the EU.

Ports of entry: Rotterdam as a priority, Amsterdam as a secondary.
Bulk formats: flexitank (20' container), IBC (1,000 L), drums — bulk is particularly suited to the trading/re-export channel.
Incoterms: FOB Radès for a first order, CIF Rotterdam for a landed port price (freight + insurance included). DAP/DDP reserved for trusted clients.
Organic: batches certified organic EU 2018/848 transit via TRACES.

FAQ — Importing Tunisian olive oil into the Netherlands

What customs duty does Tunisian olive oil pay in the Netherlands?

0%, but only within the EU tariff quota 09.4032 and with a EUR.1 certificate. Outside the quota, the duty rises to €124.50/100 kg (≈ €1.25/L).

What is quota 09.4032 and why is it exhausted?

It's the EU tariff quota that allows Tunisian oil to enter the Union at 0%, within the limit of 56,700 t/year shared among all member states. It is exhausted every year, hence the importance of applying for the authorisation as soon as the campaign opens.

Is a EUR.1 certificate needed to import into the Netherlands?

Yes, to benefit from the 0% duty. The EUR.1 justifies the preferential Tunisian origin under the EU-Tunisia association agreement; the olives must have been harvested in Tunisia. Up to €6,000 per shipment, an invoice declaration suffices.

What is the AGRIM licence and who must hold it?

The AGRIM licence is the import title that allows the tariff quota to be drawn on. It is held by the importer established in the EU, not by the Tunisian supplier — to be verified contractually before shipping.

Why is Rotterdam strategic for olive oil?

Rotterdam is Europe's leading re-export hub: a large part of the oil that enters there is redistributed to other countries. It's the ideal entry point for trading and transit within the EU.

Is the Netherlands a consumption or a transit market?

Above all a trading and transit market. The bulk of the volumes that transit through Rotterdam are re-exported, not consumed locally. Buyers are mostly traders and importer-distributors.

What is the most common port of entry?

Rotterdam, Europe's largest logistics platform, is the natural entry point from Radès; Amsterdam completes the setup.

Does organic sell in the Netherlands?

Yes, and the Dutch market also serves as a redistribution platform for organic to the Nordic countries and Germany, which are highly demanding. Our oil is available in certified organic (EU 2018/848), traced via TRACES. See our organic olive oil.

How to approach a Dutch trader or importer?

With a clear, priced and documented offer: landed Rotterdam price, MOQ, acidity tolerances, COA and sample. The market is direct, factual and oriented towards volume, price and availability; the technical sheet prevails over the story.

Which incoterm to choose for the Netherlands?

For a first order, FOB Radès is the standard. CIF Rotterdam delivers a landed port price (freight + insurance included). We reserve DAP/DDP for trusted clients.

What is the indicative price of Tunisian oil in bulk?

From ~€3.80/kg FOB Radès, depending on the category, volume, format and vintage.

Can you do private label for the Netherlands?

Yes, we supply in bulk or packaged under the client's label. But on the Dutch market, the dominant channel remains bulk trading destined for re-export rather than the retail brand.

Request your quotation for the Netherlands

Volume, format (flexitank / IBC / drum or packaged), incoterm (FOB Radès or CIF Rotterdam), private label or own brand, organic or conventional: give us your requirement, we send you a dated quotation with a reference sample and a COA — and a clear note on the quota and the EUR.1.

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

See also: export markets hub · France market · organic olive oil.