Olive oil: Importing
Licences
If the Olive Oil you are proposing to import originates within the European Union, you do not need an import licence. If the Olive Oil you are proposing to import originates from outside the European Union, you will need to have an import licence if the quantity exceeds 100 kilograms by weight. Special restrictions may apply. Import licences are issued by the Rural Payments Agency:
Sean Sweeney
Rural Payments Agency
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YHTel: 0191 226 5207
Fax: 0191 226 5212
Email: sean.sweeney@rpa.gsi.gov.uk
Regardless of whether the oil originates from within or outside the EU, you will need to contact your local Customs office so that they can inform you of the Customs requirements.
If you wish to package extra virgin or virgin olive oil in the UK, your establishment will need to be approved under our domestic legislation. See information on Bottling.
Duty
There is generally no duty payable on products traded within the EU. Products imported from third countries are subject to a basic duty, unless eligible for duty free concessions under various third country agreements.
General advice and definitive guidance on the rate of duty applicable is available from the HM Customs and Revenue Advice Centre: 0845 0109000
If you do not know the customs code of the product you should first ring the codes advice line: 01702 366077
Duty rates and codes are also available from the European Commission.
The basic codes which cover olive oils are:
1509 0000 |
Olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified |
1509 10 |
Virgin |
1509 10 10 |
Virgin Lampante olive oil |
1509 10 90 |
Other (Virgin and Extra Virgin) |
1509 90 00 |
Other (non- virgin) |
Marketing
If the intention is to market the products after import, you will need to consider the specific marketing standards for Olive Oil. See information on marketing standards.
Further information
If you have any questions on food safety/hygiene or labelling more generally contact:
Food Standards Agency Helpline
Tel: 020 7276 8829, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Email: helpline@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
Alternatively, contact your local EHD or Trading Standards
It should be noted that general food law enforcement in the UK is the responsibility of local authorities (either through Trading Standards or Environmental Health Departments). However, the responsibility for complying with the law lies with the individual. Ultimate decisions on interpretation of the law can only be made by the Courts.
Page last modified:
7 August 2008
Page published: 14 March 2005