Importing Tunisian olive oil into the United Kingdom

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

0% within the bilateral quota of 7,723 t/year (UK-Tunisia continuity agreement), upon proof of origin. And this quota is NOT filled , so zero-duty access is easy. VAT on food is 0% .

Q: Is the British quota really easier to access than the EU quota?

Yes. The European quota is filled every year , whereas the UK bilateral quota of 7,723 t remains largely unused — Tunisia exports only a few hundred tonnes there. It is a much simpler zero-duty access to obtain.

Q: Is there VAT on olive oil in the United Kingdom?

For food-grade olive oil, VAT is 0% (zero-rated) in the United Kingdom. It is a structural advantage for the importer.

Q: What is the "UK responsible business" on the label?

Since Brexit, the label must carry the address of an operator established in the United Kingdom ("UK responsible business"), usually the importer or distributor. An EU responsible business no longer suffices. It is an obligation to arrange before placing on the market.

Q: Is a BRC certification required to sell in the United Kingdom?

Not legally, but in practice expected by retail chains : BRCGS certification (or GFSI equivalent) is the condition for listing in mass retail. Without it, access remains confined to specialty and food service.

Q: What is the most common port of entry?

Felixstowe is the UK's leading container port (also London Gateway, Southampton). Sea transit from Radès is measured in weeks — to be confirmed with the freight forwarder.

Q: Under which customs code is olive oil classified in the United Kingdom?

Under HS code 1509 : 1509.20 (extra virgin), 1509.30 (virgin), 1509.40 (lampante). The UK tariff (UK Global Tariff) applies out of quota; within the UK-Tunisia quota, the duty is zero.

Q: What proof of origin is needed to benefit from the 0% duty?

The proof of origin under the UK-Tunisia continuity agreement (distinct from the EUR.1 used for the EU). It attests Tunisian origin and opens access to the zero-duty quota.

Q: Can you do private label in the United Kingdom?

Yes. We supply in bulk or packaged under your label in English , with a UK responsible business to integrate. For mass retail, BRCGS certification is generally expected. See our private label offer.

Logistics corridor

Sfax · departureRoyaume uni

Usual entry requirements

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

How to import Tunisian olive oil into the United Kingdom?

To import Tunisian olive oil into the United Kingdom, your oil enters under HS code 1509, via a port such as Felixstowe, at 0% duty within a bilateral quota of 7,723 t/year (UK-Tunisia continuity agreement) upon proof of origin — and this quota is NOT filled, unlike the European quota. VAT on food-grade olive oil is 0% (zero-rated). Retail chains in practice expect a BRC (BRCGS) certification, and the label must carry the address of a responsible business established in the United Kingdom.

It is one of the easiest zero-duty accesses to obtain for Tunisian oil: the British quota remains largely unused (Tunisia exports only a few hundred tonnes there). Zitouna Export delivers in bulk (flexitank, IBC, drums) and private label, with a COA per lot.

Import data — United Kingdom (olive oil)

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

Item	Data	Note
Typical port of entry	Felixstowe (also London Gateway, Southampton)	By sea from Radès
HS code	1509.20 (extra virgin), 1509.30 (virgin), 1509.40 (lampante)	UK Global Tariff
Customs duty (within quota)	0% with proof of origin	UK-Tunisia continuity agreement
Bilateral quota	7,723 t/year — NOT filled	Largely unused: easy access
Out-of-quota duty	Out-of-quota duty applicable	Low risk: the quota is not filled
Preferential agreement	UK-Tunisia continuity agreement	Document: proof of origin under the UK-Tunisia agreement
VAT	0% on food (zero-rated)	Structural advantage
Expected certification	BRC (BRCGS) in practice by chains	UK responsible business required on the label

The most underused British access. While the European quota is filled every year, the UK bilateral quota of 7,723 t remains largely unused: Tunisia exports only a few hundred tonnes there. It is a much easier zero-duty access to secure than the EU quota — an open window to seize early in the campaign.

Calculate your total landed cost (0% VAT) with our customs duty checker and the price & margin simulator.

Local demand & market size

The United Kingdom is a net importer of olive oil (no domestic production), with sustained demand driven by Mediterranean cuisine, health interest and a concentrated retail circuit (major chains + specialty). The market is process-driven: structured, demanding on compliance, but readable.

The Tunisian asset is twofold: an unfilled zero-duty quota (hence a competitive and reliable customs cost) and a bulk price at origin of €3.8–4.0/kg versus €4.1–4.5/kg in Jaén and €6.5–7.0/kg in Bari, with 26 awards at NYIOOC 2024. For a British importer, Tunisia ticks both the price box and the quality box.

Documents & certificates required

Since Brexit, the United Kingdom applies its own regulations (distinct from the EU) and requires a UK responsible business on the label. The standard file:

Commercial invoice + packing list
Bill of lading (B/L) by sea
Proof of origin under the UK-Tunisia agreement — essential for the 0% duty within the quota
Certificate of analysis (COA) per lot, IOC-accredited laboratory (mandatory for Tunisian export)
Phytosanitary certificate as required
BRCGS certification in practice expected by retail chains
UK-compliant label with a responsible business established in the United Kingdom (see below)

Generate your complete file, customised UK + bulk or packaged, with our export document checklist.

Labelling & regulations (UK-specific)

Since leaving the EU, British labelling diverges on key points. Key takeaways:

Address of a responsible business established in the United Kingdom ("UK responsible business") mandatory on the label — an EU operator no longer suffices. It is often the importer or distributor who provides it.
Exact category in English ("Extra Virgin Olive Oil").
Origin declared ("Product of Tunisia").
Net quantity, best-before date, lot, storage conditions.
Allergens where applicable, nutritional information depending on the sales format.
UK Organic logo with control body for an organic product (the UK organic scheme is distinct from EU organic — equivalence to be confirmed).

Check a compliant mock-up with our label checker.

Buying culture & expectations of British buyers

The United Kingdom is a process-driven market: buyers, especially on the major-chain side, operate through procedures, audits and certifications. The relationship matters, but it is built on proven compliance and operational reliability. What sets this market apart:

BRCGS certification is the chains' passport. To list a supplier in mass retail, British retailers in practice expect a BRCGS certification (or GFSI equivalent). Without it, access remains confined to specialty and food service. Anticipate this requirement.
The UK responsible business on the label is non-negotiable. Post-Brexit, the label must carry the address of a responsible business established in the United Kingdom. It is structuring: the importer/distributor assumes this responsibility, and the file must be watertight.
Methodical buyers, demanding on documentation. Spec sheets, consistent COAs, traceability, supplier audits: the approval process is rigorous. A clean file speeds up listing; an inconsistency blocks it.
The unfilled quota is your best argument. Against a more expensive Spanish or Italian competitor, zero-duty access via an unfilled bilateral quota makes the Tunisian offer particularly competitive in landed cost. Put it forward.
Story and organic have their place in specialty. Alongside the chains, the fine-grocery and delis circuit values terroir storytelling (Chemlali/Chetoui varieties, old olive groves, NYIOOC awards) and organic.

Buyer side (UK importer/distributor): secure the UK-Tunisia proof of origin (0% duty within an unfilled quota), check the supplier's BRCGS certification, and arrange the UK responsible business on the label before shipment. Seller/exporter side: aim for BRCGS certification, present an impeccable documentary file, and play the unfilled zero-duty quota card as a cost argument. Train yourself in exporting.

Organic box — a promising specialty segment

The British organic market is developed, particularly in the specialty and premium retail circuit. Our oil is available as certified organic Ecocert (EU 2018/848) (equivalence with the UK organic scheme to be confirmed depending on the control body). The Tunisian terroir — arid climate, low pest pressure, extensive olive groves — is naturally suited to organic, and the organic price premium) improves the resale margin.

See our organic olive oil in bulk.

Your tools for importing into the United Kingdom

Customs duty checker — 0% duty within the UK quota (7,723 t unfilled), 0% VAT.
Price & margin simulator — total landed cost to Felixstowe.
Export document checklist — UK proof of origin + BRCGS + commercial docs, customised for the United Kingdom.

FAQ — Importing Tunisian olive oil into the United Kingdom

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

0% within the bilateral quota of 7,723 t/year (UK-Tunisia continuity agreement), upon proof of origin. And this quota is NOT filled, so zero-duty access is easy. VAT on food is 0%.

Is the British quota really easier to access than the EU quota?

Yes. The European quota is filled every year, whereas the UK bilateral quota of 7,723 t remains largely unused — Tunisia exports only a few hundred tonnes there. It is a much simpler zero-duty access to obtain.

Is there VAT on olive oil in the United Kingdom?

For food-grade olive oil, VAT is 0% (zero-rated) in the United Kingdom. It is a structural advantage for the importer.

What is the "UK responsible business" on the label?

Since Brexit, the label must carry the address of an operator established in the United Kingdom ("UK responsible business"), usually the importer or distributor. An EU responsible business no longer suffices. It is an obligation to arrange before placing on the market.

Is a BRC certification required to sell in the United Kingdom?

Not legally, but in practice expected by retail chains: BRCGS certification (or GFSI equivalent) is the condition for listing in mass retail. Without it, access remains confined to specialty and food service.

What is the most common port of entry?

Felixstowe is the UK's leading container port (also London Gateway, Southampton). Sea transit from Radès is measured in weeks — to be confirmed with the freight forwarder.

Under which customs code is olive oil classified in the United Kingdom?

Under HS code 1509: 1509.20 (extra virgin), 1509.30 (virgin), 1509.40 (lampante). The UK tariff (UK Global Tariff) applies out of quota; within the UK-Tunisia quota, the duty is zero.

What proof of origin is needed to benefit from the 0% duty?

The proof of origin under the UK-Tunisia continuity agreement (distinct from the EUR.1 used for the EU). It attests Tunisian origin and opens access to the zero-duty quota.

Can you do private label in the United Kingdom?

Yes. We supply in bulk or packaged under your label in English, with a UK responsible business to integrate. For mass retail, BRCGS certification is generally expected. See our private label offer.

How should I approach a British buyer?

In a structured and documented way: spec sheet, consistent COA, certification status (BRCGS), reference sample, and a landed-cost offer backed by the unfilled quota. The market is process-driven: rigour and compliance make the difference.

Which incoterm should I choose for the United Kingdom?

For a first order, FOB Radès is the standard: you control freight up to loading. CIF Felixstowe delivers a landed port price (freight + insurance included). We reserve DAP/DDP for trusted customers. Estimate the landed cost with our price & margin simulator.

Request your quote for the United Kingdom

Volume, format (flexitank / IBC / drum or packaged), incoterm (FOB Radès recommended), private label or own brand, organic or conventional: tell us your requirement, and we will send you a dated quote with a reference sample and COA — taking advantage of the unfilled zero-duty quota.

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

Lead magnet: download our United Kingdom country sheet (bilateral quota 7,723 t unfilled, 0% VAT, UK responsible business, BRCGS requirement, post-Brexit documentary checklist).