The United States is a major importer of olive oil. According to the International Olive Council, U.S. olive oil imports reached 437,309 tonnes in the 2024/25 crop year, an increase of 20.6% from the previous year. Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Türkiye were the four largest suppliers, accounting for almost 89% of imports.

Importing olive oil into the United States involves both food-import requirements and the normal customs and freight process. Commercial importers should understand the FDA requirements that apply to the supplier and shipment, how Customs will classify the olive oil, what duties may apply, and how the goods will be transported into the U.S.

What Are the Requirements for Importing Olive Oil Into the U.S.?

The FDA regulates commercially imported olive oil in the United States as food. FDA does not pre-approve individual food imports, importers, or labels before shipment, but imported food must comply with applicable U.S. food requirements.

Depending on the businesses involved, the foreign facility that manufactures, processes, packs or holds the olive oil may need to be registered with FDA. Prior Notice is also generally required before imported food arrives in the United States, unless an exemption applies.

The U.S. importer should also determine whether the Foreign Supplier Verification Program applies. Importers covered by FSVP are responsible for verifying that their foreign suppliers are producing food in accordance with applicable U.S. food-safety requirements.

Labeling also needs to meet applicable U.S. food-labeling requirements. Imported goods must also comply with applicable country-of-origin marking requirements.

Import requirements can vary significantly by product. See A1’s U.S. import guides for guidance on other types of commercial imports.

How Much Is the Import Duty on Olive Oil?

There is no single U.S. import duty that applies to every olive oil shipment.

Olive oil is generally classified under heading 1509 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, with separate classifications for products including extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, and other olive oils. The exact classification can also depend on characteristics such as the size of the immediate container.

The ordinary duty rates for olive oil are not necessarily calculated as a simple percentage of the invoice value. The current HTS includes specific per-kilogram duty rates for a number of olive oil classifications. Country of origin and any additional trade measures in effect at the time of entry should also be checked before calculating the landed cost.

A customs broker can help confirm the appropriate U.S. classification and current duty treatment before the shipment arrives.

A Customs bond may also be required. Formal Customs entry is generally required for commercial imports valued above $2,500, while goods subject to requirements from another federal agency can require formal entry at lower values. A customs broker can determine the appropriate entry and bond requirements for the shipment.

Importing Olive Oil From Italy, Spain, Greece and Other Countries

Importers frequently source olive oil from countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece. The basic U.S. customs and FDA process does not become completely different simply because the supplier is located in one of these countries, but the actual country of origin still needs to be established and declared correctly.

Origin can affect country-of-origin marking, duty treatment, and any additional trade measures that are in effect when the goods enter the United States. The importer should therefore confirm where the olive oil was actually produced rather than relying only on the location of the exporter or distributor.

Regardless of whether the olive oil is coming from Italy, Spain, Greece or another country, the importer should also verify the supplier’s FDA status, applicable FSVP requirements, labeling, and shipment documentation before the goods depart.

What Documents Do You Need to Import Olive Oil?

The documentation required depends on the shipment and importer, but a commercial olive oil import will commonly involve a Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading or Air Waybill.

Because olive oil is a food product, the importer and customs broker also need the information required for FDA entry. Prior Notice must generally be submitted before the food arrives, and FDA may verify food-facility registration, FSVP importer information, and labeling requirements as applicable.

Additional certificates or supporting documents may be needed depending on the product, supplier, claims being made or particular entry requirements, but they should not be treated as universal requirements for every olive oil shipment.

See our guide to documents used in customs clearance for a broader explanation of common import documents.

How Is Olive Oil Shipped to the United States?

Commercial olive oil can move to the United States by air or ocean freight depending on the shipment size, packaging, cost and required delivery time.

Larger commercial shipments will commonly move by ocean freight. An importer may use Less than Container Load (LCL) service when the shipment does not require an entire container or Full Container Load (FCL) service for larger volumes.

Air freight can be considered where the shipment is smaller, or timing is particularly important, although the cost will generally be higher for heavy commercial cargo.

A1 can coordinate pickup from the overseas supplier, carrier booking, and international transportation through its freight forwarding services. For more detail on the choice of transport method, see our guide to shipping by air or ocean.

What Happens When Olive Oil Reaches the U.S.?

The customs and FDA entry process can begin before the shipment physically arrives when the necessary information has been provided in advance.

The customs broker prepares the entry using the shipment documents, product classification, value, and country of origin. FDA can review the food-import information and determine whether additional information or examination is necessary.

Once the applicable Customs and FDA requirements have been satisfied and the shipment is released, the cargo can be collected from the port or airport and transported to its final destination.

A1 provides customs clearance and can also coordinate trucking and final delivery where required.

Importing Olive Oil with A1 Worldwide Logistics

Importing olive oil is easier to plan when the FDA requirements, supplier information, classification, duties, and freight arrangements are checked before the goods leave the country of origin.

Having assistance from a freight forwarder and customs broker can help streamline the process. A1 Worldwide Logistics has both services and more to ensure the success of your shipment. Reach us at 305-821-8995 to begin importing into the U.S. from anywhere internationally. Whether you bring in olive oil or any other commodity, we guide you through the process.

Regulatory note: This guide provides general information and is not legal advice. U.S. import rules and agency requirements can change and may vary by product, country of origin, and shipment. Importers should confirm current requirements with the relevant U.S. agency and, where appropriate, a licensed customs broker or legal adviser before shipping.