Obtaining the olive oil exporter licence (ONH)
You want to export Tunisian olive oil in your own name and you are stuck on the first step: the exporter licence from the ONH (National Oil Board)? This guide details the conditions, the specifications, the steps, the documents to gather and the timelines to obtain this licence — plus the "bridge" option that lets you export immediately under a partner's licence. Written from the exporter's angle, with pointers for sellers and buyers. Tables, checklists and mistakes to avoid included.
Free PDF checklist: the ONH exporter licence application file (documents, steps, specifications, timelines) on a single tick-box page. Get it by email »
In brief: how do you obtain the ONH exporter licence?
Short answer: to legally export Tunisian olive oil, the operator must be a registered company holding a customs code, then obtain the olive oil exporter licence issued by the ONH by meeting a set of specifications (facilities, traceability, per-lot quality control, commitments). The file is submitted to the ONH; failing a licence of its own, an operator can export under the licence of an approved exporter through a commission agreement. The precise conditions, the list of documents and the official timelines must be verified directly with the ONH.
The ONH is the reference body of the Tunisian olive sector. Without a licence (or without a contract with an approved exporter), no olive oil export shipment is possible. It is the mandatory starting point of any export activity. The technical terms (COA, ONH, customs code, EUR.1…) are defined in the glossary.
Box: the 3 angles of the licence
The ONH licence does not only concern the exporter: it also reassures the buyer and structures the seller's offer.
| Angle | Who | What the licence changes | Where the site helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exporter (Tunisia operations) | Wants to ship in its own name | Must obtain the licence or go through an approved partner | This guide + ONH specifications |
| Seller (who sells internationally) | Wants to be credible | The licence proves the offer is legal | Quality process |
| Buyer (importer) | Wants to secure the order | Requiring proof of licence filters out fake exporters | Choosing a supplier |
Reading rule: the ONH licence is the first document any serious importer asks for. Holding it, or operating under a verifiable licence, is a precondition for any export sale.
Step 1 — Set up a compliant exporting entity
Before the licence itself, the operator must legally exist as an exporter.
- Registered Tunisian company (national business register), with a corporate purpose covering the trade/export of olive oil.
- Customs code (customs identifier) allowing export declarations to be filed.
- Bank domiciliation opened to manage export earnings in foreign currency (see the repatriation of earnings guide).
Exporter's side: without a customs code, no export declaration is admissible — it is a prerequisite, not a late formality.
Step 2 — Check eligibility against the ONH specifications
The licence is conditional on meeting a set of specifications laid down by the ONH / the Ministry of Agriculture. They typically cover the operator's technical capacities, traceability and quality commitments.
The exact eligibility criteria, thresholds and commitments must be verified in the official specifications in force. The detail of the requirements is covered in the dedicated ONH specifications guide.
| Specification area | Purpose | To verify with the ONH |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities | Storage, packing, hygiene | Required standards and capacities |
| Traceability | Lot tracking from purchase to shipment | Required system |
| Quality | Per-lot analysis (COA from an IOC-approved lab) | Frequency and laboratories |
| Commitments | Compliance with marketing standards | Undertaking form |
Key point: the licence is not a mere administrative registration — it certifies that the operator can guarantee an oil compliant with marketing standards, lot by lot.
Step 3 — Prepare facilities and quality traceability
The licence assumes the ability to deliver a compliant and traceable oil.
- Per-lot quality control: each lot destined for export is analysed by an IOC-approved laboratory, producing a COA (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270/ΔK, possibly polyphenols). This per-lot ONH analysis is a pillar of the system.
- Compliant category: the shipped oil must match the declared category (extra virgin: acidity ≤ 0.80%, peroxide ≤ 20 mEq O₂/kg).
- Documentary traceability: lot numbers, origin, storage conditions, consistency with export documents.
Prepare the standard documentary file with the export documents checklist. Quality thresholds are detailed on the quality process page.
Step 4 — Compile and submit the licence application file
The file is submitted to the ONH. The exact composition of the file is set by the Board; the items below are common pointers, to be confirmed against the official list.
Documents generally expected:
- Licence application (ONH form)
- Company articles of association and registration
- Customs code
- Proof of facilities (storage / packing)
- Undertaking to comply with the specifications
- Traceability and quality control items
Exporter's side: compile a complete file from the first submission. An incomplete file lengthens the review time.
Step 5 — Pass the inspection and obtain the licence decision
After submission, the ONH reviews the file and may carry out an inspection of the facilities and capacities. The licence decision is then notified to the operator.
The official review timelines are not precisely known here and must be verified with the ONH. Plan ahead: launch the process outside the peak of the campaign so as not to miss the start of the olive season, the period of the freshest lots and the best prices.
Key point: once obtained, the licence lets you file export declarations in your own name, but remains conditional on continued compliance with the specifications.
Step 6 — Bridge option: export under a partner's licence
You don't yet have your own licence but you have a buyer? There is a legal route: operating under the licence of an approved exporter through a commission agreement (the approved exporter carries out the shipment, you remain the commercial party/principal).
| Route | Advantage | Watch point |
|---|---|---|
| Own licence | Full autonomy, shipping in your own name | Time to obtain, specifications to uphold |
| Commission agreement | Immediate start via an approved partner | Dependence on the partner, shared margin |
Buyer's side: if your supplier operates under a commission agreement, ask to identify the actual approved exporter — that party guarantees the compliance of the shipment.
This "bridge" route lets you sell while your own licence is being obtained. Structure the contract carefully (roles, margin, quality responsibility).
Licence application file checklist
Tick off before submitting your application to the ONH.
Entity
- Registered company with olive oil export as its purpose
- Customs code obtained
- Bank domiciliation opened
Facilities & quality
- Storage/packing capacities documented
- Per-lot traceability system in place
- Per-lot analysis via an IOC-approved laboratory (COA)
ONH file
- Licence application form
- Undertaking to comply with the specifications (see ONH specifications)
- Complete supporting documents per the official list
Failing an own licence
- Commission agreement with an identified approved exporter
Mistakes to avoid
- Believing you can export without a licence: any olive oil export shipment requires the ONH licence or a contract with an approved exporter.
- Submitting an incomplete file: every missing document lengthens the review.
- Neglecting traceability: without per-lot tracking, the specifications are not met.
- Skipping the per-lot analysis: the COA from an IOC-approved laboratory is foundational, not optional.
- Starting the process too late: aiming for the licence at the peak of the campaign means missing the season.
- Poorly framing the commission agreement: roles, margin and quality responsibility must be in writing.
- Confusing licence and certifications: the ONH licence is distinct from organic/IFS/BRC certifications, which follow the target market.
Golden rules
- Entity first: company + customs code + bank domiciliation.
- Specifications met: facilities, traceability, per-lot quality.
- Per-lot COA from an IOC-approved laboratory, systematically.
- Complete file on the first submission to shorten the review.
- Plan ahead: start outside the peak of the campaign.
- Verify the official data with the ONH: documents, timelines and specifications change.
Continue with the ONH specifications guide then the EU quota / SICAD guide.
FAQ — ONH exporter licence
What is the ONH exporter licence?
It is the authorisation issued by the ONH (National Oil Board) that lets a Tunisian operator export olive oil while meeting a set of specifications (facilities, traceability, per-lot quality control). Without this licence — or without a contract with an approved exporter — export shipment is not possible.
Who issues the olive oil exporter licence in Tunisia?
The ONH (National Oil Board), the reference body of the Tunisian olive sector, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture. The process and the specifications fall under this board. The precise terms are **.
What conditions are needed to obtain the ONH licence?
Holding a registered company with a customs code, meeting the specifications (facilities, traceability, per-lot quality analysis) and submitting a complete licence application file to the ONH. The exact criteria are set by the official specifications in force.
What documents are needed for the application file?
Common pointers: application form, company articles and registration, customs code, proof of facilities, undertaking to comply with the specifications, and traceability/quality items. The exact official list is to be confirmed with the ONH.
How long does it take to obtain the licence?
The official review timeline is not precisely known here and must be verified with the ONH. It is recommended to launch the process outside the peak of the campaign so as not to miss the start of the olive season.
Can you export without your own licence?
Yes, through a commission agreement with an approved exporter: this partner carries out the shipment under its licence while you remain the commercial principal. It is the "bridge" route to start immediately while building your own licence.
What are the ONH specifications?
They are the set of requirements (facilities, traceability, quality control, commitments) that the operator must meet to obtain and keep the licence. They are detailed in our ONH specifications guide. Their exact content is set by the official version in force.
Does the ONH licence replace organic or IFS/BRC certifications?
No. The ONH licence authorises export; certifications (organic Ecocert/USDA, IFS Food, BRCGS, FDA/FSVP…) follow the target market and channel. They are complementary, not interchangeable. See quality process.
What role does the COA play in the licence?
Per-lot quality control via an IOC-approved laboratory, evidenced by a COA (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270/ΔK), is a pillar of the system: it guarantees that the shipped oil matches the declared category. It is a foundational requirement of the specifications.
How can an importer verify an exporter's licence?
By requesting proof of the ONH licence and the company's customs code. If the supplier operates under a commission agreement, the buyer must identify the actual approved exporter. An unverifiable operator is a major warning sign — see choosing a supplier.
Do you need a customs code before the licence?
Yes. The customs code is a prerequisite: without it, no export declaration is admissible. It is part of the exporting entity to set up before submitting the licence application.
What happens after obtaining the licence?
You can declare your olive oil exports in your own name. The licence remains conditional on continued compliance with the specifications (traceability, per-lot quality). The next steps are the EU quota / SICAD for zero duty and the repatriation of earnings.
Take action
You now know the route to the ONH licence and the commission-agreement alternative. The next step is concrete: structuring your export project and securing your first shipment.
Request a free quote — a dated quotation and standard documentary file from an approved exporter, for your market. Drawer pre-filled "ONH licence guide".
Free PDF checklist (lead magnet): get by email the "ONH exporter licence application file" checklist — documents to gather, steps, specifications and timeline pointers, ready to tick off. Simple sign-up (double opt-in Brevo), no spam. Get the PDF checklist »
To go further, read the ONH specifications guide, the EU quota / SICAD guide, the repatriation of earnings guide and the FOPRODEX export subsidies guide.
Regulatory data July 2026, indicative and to be re-verified before any commitment. Sources: ONH / Ministry of Agriculture (Tunisia), IOC/T.15/NC trade standard (categories/COA). Licence conditions, documents and timelines are to be confirmed directly with the ONH.
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