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Customs Clearance of Various Oils

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Customs clearance of edible oils | Steps, documents, HS Code and health requirements

Customs clearance of edible oils

Clearing vegetable oils and liquid oils, olive, sesame, and corn is one of the most important parts of importing essential goods to Iran. These products are crucial due to their role in the food industry and meeting the country’s consumer needs, and any import of them is subject to strict compliance with specific laws and regulations. The clearance process for this category, due to food and health sensitivities, must be done with precision.

For estimating the time and cost of clearing edible oils, contact the experts at Saba Tarkhis.

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1) Steps and required documents for clearing vegetable oils

Clearing vegetable oils requires legal procedures and the submission of specific documents and permits that must be presented to customs authorities and other relevant organizations. Non-compliance with these requirements can cause delays in clearance and even seizure of the goods by the relevant authorities. Below, the steps and documents required for clearing these products are detailed:
Order registration in the Comprehensive Trade System (NIMA system): for any type of import, the importer must first register the order in the Comprehensive Trade System. This order registration, coordinated with the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, is mandatory and without it imports are not possible.
Health Certificate: edible oils imported into Iran must have the necessary health certificates from the country of origin confirming compliance with international food safety and hygiene standards as well as the requirements of Iran’s Food and Drug Organization (IFDA). This certificate ensures the imported oils are hygienically safe and pose no risk to consumers’ health.
Commercial Invoice and Proforma Invoice: these documents include precise details of the imported shipment such as price, quantity, type of oil, and seller/buyer specifications. The final commercial invoice must be carefully prepared to match the actual goods information.
Certificate of Origin: this document indicates the producing country of the oil and confirms the origin of the goods. It is issued by the Chamber of Commerce of the exporting country and must be submitted to Iranian customs during clearance.
Bill of Lading: this document contains information on transportation and cargo specifications. Essential information includes mode of transport, vessel or vehicle name, loading and discharge points. It also acts as a document of title and is required for cargo delivery at customs.
Health permits and IFDA standards: importing edible oils into Iran requires health approvals and standards compliance from the Food and Drug Organization. The organization issues health and compliance approvals after careful sampling and testing.
Customs Declaration Form: the declaration includes all shipment information, tariff codes, customs value, and other technical and commercial details that must be completed accurately. Any error or mismatch may cause clearance delays or customs penalties.

2) Customs tariff (HS Code) for edible oils

The Harmonized System (HS Code) is a global standard for classifying goods defined by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Every product in international trade is placed under a specific code which determines the applicable import tariff and taxes.

Olive oil:

Virgin, unrefined olive oil obtained directly from olives: tariff code 150910.

Refined olive oil that has undergone refining: tariff code 150990.

Sesame oil:

Sesame oil, due to its special nutritional and therapeutic properties, falls under tariff code 151550.

Corn oil:

Crude corn oil without refining: tariff code 151521.

Refined corn oil after refining and ready for consumption: tariff code 151529.

Sunflower oil:

Crude sunflower oil: 151211.

Refined and processed sunflower oil: 151219.

Soybean oil:

Crude soybean oil, one of the most widely used vegetable oils: tariff code 150710.

Refined soybean oil: 150790.

Palm oil:

Crude palm oil extracted from palm fruit: tariff code 151110.

Refined palm oil: 151190.

Rapeseed (canola) oil:

Crude rapeseed oil: 151411.

Refined rapeseed oil: 151419.

Coconut oil:

Crude coconut oil obtained directly from coconuts: tariff code 151311.

Refined coconut oil: tariff code 151319.

Groundnut (peanut) oil:

Crude peanut oil: tariff code 150810.

Refined peanut oil: tariff code 150890.

Cottonseed oil:

Crude cottonseed oil: tariff code 151221.

Refined cottonseed oil: tariff code 151229.

Castor oil:

Castor oil, often used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries: tariff code 151530.

Other vegetable oils:

Other vegetable oils not included in the above categories and extracted from various seeds: tariff code 151620.

Oil type Status HS Code
Olive Virgin/Unrefined 150910
Olive Refined 150990
Sesame — 151550
Corn Crude 151521
Corn Refined 151529
Sunflower Crude 151211
Sunflower Refined 151219
Soybean Crude 150710
Soybean Refined 150790
Palm Crude 151110
Palm Refined 151190
Rapeseed (canola) Crude 151411
Rapeseed (canola) Refined 151419
Coconut Crude 151311
Coconut Refined 151319
Groundnut (peanut) Crude 150810
Groundnut (peanut) Refined 150890
Cottonseed Crude 151221
Cottonseed Refined 151229
Castor — 151530
Other vegetable oils — 151620

3) Special conditions for importing oils

Importing vegetable oils into Iran is subject to specific rules that must be observed. These include the following:
Health and quality standards: all imported oils must pass national and international standards, including those of the Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) and the Food and Drug Organization. Imported products must be approved for quality and sanitary safety and meet domestic requirements for compliance with health standards. These standards emphasize oil quality and its safety for human consumption.
Import permits: a key requirement for importing edible oils is obtaining the necessary permits from the Ministry of Health and the Food and Drug Organization. Without these permits, clearing edible oils from customs is not possible. These permits confirm the product’s safety and compliance with national and international health standards.
Volume and currency restrictions: due to high consumption and demand, importing edible oils may require special authorizations and compliance with currency allocation limits. Importers should note that import caps and foreign exchange conditions may be set by the government at different times and can affect imports.

4) Oil import and export volumes to/from Iran

Iran is one of the largest oil importers in the region. Due to limited domestic production and high market demand, a major share of the country’s need for edible oils is supplied through imports. Imports mainly come from Spain, Turkey, Italy, Malaysia, and Indonesia. According to recent statistics:
Imports: more than 70% of Iran’s edible oil consumption is supplied via imports. The annual import volume reaches several million tons.
Exports: meanwhile, Iran also produces some high-quality oils such as sesame and olive oil. These are exported to neighboring countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, and a portion of domestic production is shipped to these markets.

5) Global circulation of oils

Global circulation of oils is continuously growing, and the value of world trade in these products reaches several billions of dollars. Major producers of edible oils worldwide include Spain, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, Argentina, and Turkey, which account for a significant share of global exports. Imports of edible oils have also increased markedly in countries such as China, India, the European Union, and Iran.

6) Major exporters and importers of oils

Globally, some countries are recognized as the main producers of oils and hold a major share of exports:
Main exporters: Spain, Turkey, Italy, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Argentina are known as the largest oil exporters in the world. With high production volumes, they meet global market demand.
Main importers: Iran, India, China, and the European Union are among the largest importers of vegetable oils due to high consumption of edible oils, meeting their needs through imports.
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7) Required documents for clearing edible oils

To clear oils from customs, a specific set of documents must be prepared and submitted by the importer. These documents are essential to ensure compliance with sanitary and customs regulations and to verify that the goods meet Iranian rules and international standards.
  1. Order registration in the Comprehensive Trade System: the first step for importing edible oils is to register your order in the system. Without registration and its approval by the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, importing is not possible.
  2. Health Certificate: issued by health authorities of the country of origin confirming that the imported oil is safe for consumption in terms of hygiene and safety.
  3. Commercial Invoice: includes product type, price, quantity, seller and buyer details, and payment terms.
  4. Certificate of Origin: issued by the exporting country’s Chamber of Commerce to determine tariffs and origin.
  5. Bill of Lading: includes mode of transport, origin/destination, weight and number of packages; document of title.
  6. Import permit from the Food and Drug Organization: confirms health and compliance with Iranian sanitary standards.
  7. Customs Declaration: records product type/value, tariff code, and origin/destination details.
  8. Inspection Certificate: if needed, to confirm conformity of specifications with standards.
  9. Foreign exchange permits from the Central Bank: for allocation of official currency and payment to the foreign seller.
  10. Packing List: packaging details to match the invoice and other documents.
  11. Business card (trade license): legal authorization for import/export issued by Iran Chamber of Commerce.

Frequently asked questions on oil clearance

What permits are required to import edible oils?

Order registration in the Comprehensive Trade System, Health Certificate from origin, IFDA import permit, customs declaration, and other transport/commercial documents.

How is the HS Code for oils determined?

Based on the source (olive, soybean, corn, …) and processing status (crude/refined). Examples are listed in the HS table on this page.

Why is oil clearance so sensitive in terms of health?

Edible oils are consumed directly; therefore safety, national standards, sampling and IFDA approval are critical.

Media suggestion

  • Image file name: terkhis-edible-oils-hs-codes.jpg
  • Alt Text: Customs clearance of edible oils in Iran and HS codes
  • Caption: «Edible oil clearance path: from order registration to health approval and release»
  • Infographic: «7-step oil clearance checklist + key documents»

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Conclusion and call to action

Customs clearance of edible oils requires precise HS Code determination, obtaining health permits, and completing documentation. The Saba Tarkhis team makes your clearance path fast, transparent, and cost-effective.

Request expert consultation Get a clearance proforma

Special oil clearance services by Saba brokerage

With hands-on experience in clearing edible oils (olive, sesame, corn, soybean, sunflower, …), Saba brokerage shortens your path and reduces risks:

  1. HS consulting and health requirements based on oil type and processing status (crude/refined).
  2. Preparing/following up documents: proforma, invoice, CO, bill of lading, Health Certificate, and IFDA permits.
  3. Coordinating sampling and handling inspections/standards until the clearance permit is issued.
  4. Managing costs and timelines using preferential tariffs and operational procedures.
  5. Post-clearance support: domestic transport, insurance, and quality consulting.

Contact our experts for more information.

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