Importing Tunisian olive oil into Sweden

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

0% , but only within 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 is 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 .

Q: Is a EUR.1 certificate required to import into Sweden?

Yes , to benefit from the 0% duty. The EUR.1 proves 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 is sufficient.

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 down . It is held by the importer established in the EU, not by the Tunisian supplier — to be confirmed contractually before shipment.

Q: Is organic important on the Swedish market?

Very important. The Swedish consumer has a strong appetite for organic ; a certified organic (EU 2018/848) oil traced via TRACES is often a prerequisite for quality distribution. See our organic olive oil.

Q: Is the Swedish market price-sensitive?

Less than Central Europe. The Swedish market is oriented toward quality, origin and sustainability ; it rewards taste quality and certification rather than the lowest price. It is a value market.

Q: Which formats should be favoured in Sweden?

Small formats (250 to 750 ml, glass, refined design) dominate quality distribution. This argues for premium private label or supplying niche brands, rather than very large volume.

Q: What is the most common port of entry?

Gothenburg , with Stockholm and Malmö as complements; transit via Rotterdam or Antwerp then forwarding is also common.

Q: How should I approach a Swedish importer or distributor?

With a complete quality file : COA per lot, organic certification, EUR.1 origin, reference sample, and a credible product story (varieties, terroir, awards). In this market, transparency and traceability are commercial arguments .

Q: Can you do private label in Sweden?

Yes , and it is relevant: premium private label in small formats fits a value market well. We supply in bulk for local bottling or packaged under the customer's label.

Logistics corridor

Sfax · departureSuede

Usual entry requirements

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

In brief

Sweden imports Tunisian olive oil (HS code 1509) at a 0% customs duty within EU tariff quota 09.4032, upon presentation of a EUR.1 certificate proving Tunisian origin. It is a premium Nordic market: the Swedish consumer values quality, origin and organic, with a strong appetite for organic and a preference for small formats in quality distribution. Less price-driven than Central Europe, this market rewards traceability, certification and product story — a natural fit for quality Tunisian organic oil. Zitouna Export delivers in bulk (flexitank, IBC, drums) and private label, with a certificate of analysis (COA) per lot.

The real challenge is not the duty rate, but access to the quota: the 56,700 t/year at 0% is shared across the entire Union 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 down the quota.

The EU quota & access to the Swedish market

Under the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement, Tunisian olive oil enjoys preferential access at a 0% duty — but only within the limit of the shared tariff quota 09.4032, set at 56,700 tonnes per year for the whole European Union. This quota is shared among all Member States and is exhausted every year.

Three conditions structure access to the Swedish market:

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

Item	Data	Note
Typical port of entry	Gothenburg (also Stockholm, Malmö)	By sea; possible transit via Rotterdam/Antwerp
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 down the quota	Held by the importer
Market profile	Premium / quality, strong organic appetite, small formats	Nordic market
Organic certification	EU 2018/848 + TRACES	Strong organic demand

The quota is the real constraint, not the duty. The duty is zero, but only within the limit of quota 09.4032, shared across the EU 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 Swedish buyers

Sweden is a demanding Nordic market, quality- and sustainability-oriented. What sets this market apart:

Organic is a strong criterion. The Swedish consumer has a strong appetite for organic and for sustainable, traced products. A certified organic (EU 2018/848) oil with TRACES traceability is not a plus but often a prerequisite for accessing quality distribution. It is the natural outlet for Tunisian organic oil — on a par with the other Nordic markets and Germany.
Quality prevails over price. Less price-driven than Central Europe, the Swedish market rewards taste quality, origin and certification. The buyer expects an impeccable COA per lot, low acidity and a credible product story (Chemlali/Chetoui varieties, international awards, Tunisian terroir).
Small formats dominate retail. Distribution favours small formats (bottles of 250 to 750 ml, glass, refined design) in a value market rather than a volume one. For an exporter, this argues for premium private label or supplying bottlers and niche brands.
Transparency requirement. Traceability, sustainability and transparency about origin are strong expectations. The documentary file (COA, organic certification, EUR.1 origin) is a commercial argument, not merely a formality.
Sustainability and responsibility, selection criteria. Beyond organic, the Swedish market is attentive to the environmental and social footprint of its suppliers. A credible narrative about Tunisian extensive olive groves, low input use and supply-chain traceability strengthens the pitch to a Nordic buyer who factors these criteria into their purchasing decision.

The Tunisian advantage remains objective: a competitive raw-material cost) combined with award-winning quality and a natural aptitude for organic — the arid Tunisian climate, with low pest pressure, lends itself well to the organic certification much sought after in Scandinavia. In a value market that accepts paying for quality, this combination allows a margin higher than that of price-driven volume markets.

Buyer side (SE importer/distributor): bet on certified organic and traced quality for premium distribution, secure the quota (AGRIM licence + EUR.1) and per-lot quality (COA + sample). Seller/exporter side: play the organic + quality + small formats card, craft the documentary file (COA, organic, EUR.1) as a commercial argument, and aim for premium private label or niche brands.

Logistics & flows to Sweden

The flow departs from Radès (Tunisia) to the Scandinavian ports, or transits via the major hubs of North-West Europe.

Ports of entry: Gothenburg as priority, Stockholm and Malmö as complements; transit via Rotterdam or Antwerp then forwarding is common.
Formats: bulk (flexitank, IBC, drums) for local bottling, or packaged in premium small formats for direct distribution.
Incoterms: FOB Radès for a first order, CIF at the port of entry for a landed price (freight + insurance included). DAP/DDP reserved for trusted customers.
Organic: organic lots certified EU 2018/848 transit via TRACES — a key element in this market.

FAQ — Importing Tunisian olive oil into Sweden

What customs duty does Tunisian olive oil pay in Sweden?

0%, but only within 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 is 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.

Is a EUR.1 certificate required to import into Sweden?

Yes, to benefit from the 0% duty. The EUR.1 proves 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 is sufficient.

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 down. It is held by the importer established in the EU, not by the Tunisian supplier — to be confirmed contractually before shipment.

Is organic important on the Swedish market?

Very important. The Swedish consumer has a strong appetite for organic; a certified organic (EU 2018/848) oil traced via TRACES is often a prerequisite for quality distribution. See our organic olive oil.

Is the Swedish market price-sensitive?

Less than Central Europe. The Swedish market is oriented toward quality, origin and sustainability; it rewards taste quality and certification rather than the lowest price. It is a value market.

Which formats should be favoured in Sweden?

Small formats (250 to 750 ml, glass, refined design) dominate quality distribution. This argues for premium private label or supplying niche brands, rather than very large volume.

What is the most common port of entry?

Gothenburg, with Stockholm and Malmö as complements; transit via Rotterdam or Antwerp then forwarding is also common.

How should I approach a Swedish importer or distributor?

With a complete quality file: COA per lot, organic certification, EUR.1 origin, reference sample, and a credible product story (varieties, terroir, awards). In this market, transparency and traceability are commercial arguments.

Can you do private label in Sweden?

Yes, and it is relevant: premium private label in small formats fits a value market well. We supply in bulk for local bottling or packaged under the customer's label.

Which incoterm should I choose for Sweden?

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

What is the indicative price of Tunisian bulk oil?

From ~€3.80/kg FOB Radès, depending on the category (extra virgin, organic), volume, format and vintage.

Request your quote for Sweden

Volume, format (flexitank / IBC / drum or packaged small formats), incoterm (FOB Radès or CIF), premium 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 — plus a clear briefing on the quota and EUR.1.

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

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