How to Import Shea Butter to Europe

Step-by-Step Import Process

Step 1: Find a Reliable Supplier

Ghana and Burkina Faso are the main origins for EU shea butter imports, followed by Nigeria, Mali, and Ivory Coast. For the EU market, suppliers must be able to meet strict quality standards (particularly low PAH levels) and provide traceability documentation. EU buyers increasingly require organic certification (EU Organic Regulation 2018/848) and fair trade credentials. Origin Direct connects you with established cooperatives and semi-industrial processors in Ghana and Nigeria who understand EU market requirements and can provide consistent, certified product.

Step 2: Request Samples and Verify Quality

EU requirements are strict, particularly for contaminants. Key parameters:

• Free Fatty Acid (FFA) - Max 1% for Grade A (cosmetic), max 3% for Grade B (food processing).
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - Critical for EU compliance. Benzo(a)pyrene max 2 mcg/kg, sum of 4 PAHs max 10 mcg/kg (EU Reg. 2023/915). Traditional smoking/drying of shea nuts can cause elevated PAH levels.
• 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters - Limits apply to refined shea butter used in food (EU Reg. 2020/1322).
• Moisture - Max 0.05% for refined, max 0.2% for unrefined.
• Peroxide value - Max 10 meq/kg.
• Pesticide residues - Must comply with EU MRLs (Reg. 396/2005). Shea nuts are typically wild-harvested with no pesticide use.
• Microbiological safety - Total plate count, E. coli, Salmonella, yeast and mold.

Step 3: Agree on Commercial Terms

Common Incoterms are FOB Tema or CIF Rotterdam/Hamburg. Pricing is in USD or EUR per metric ton. Payment terms vary: L/C for first orders, switching to open account (30-60 days) for established relationships. Specify the grade (raw, refined, ultra-refined, fractionated), intended use (food vs cosmetic), required certifications, and packaging format. For food-grade shea butter destined for CBE (cocoa butter equivalent) production, the buyer is typically a large processor and contracts are annual.

Step 4: Supplier Prepares Documentation

• Certificate of Analysis (COA) - Full lab report from an accredited laboratory.
• EUR.1 Movement Certificate - For 0% duty under the EU-ECOWAS EPA.
• Certificate of Origin - Standard certificate confirming West African origin.
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Phytosanitary Certificate - For raw/unrefined shea butter.
• EU Organic Certificate - If selling as organic. Must be issued by an EU-recognized control body.
• COSMOS/Ecocert Certificate - For natural/organic cosmetic ingredient status.

Step 5: Arrange Shipping

Shea butter ships in 20ft containers. Packaging options: 25 kg cartons, 50 kg cartons, 190 kg steel drums, or flexitanks (up to 20 MT of liquid/melted shea in a single container). Main loading ports: Tema (Ghana), Apapa (Nigeria). Main EU destination ports: Port of Rotterdam, Port of Hamburg, Port of Antwerp-Bruges. Transit times: Tema to Rotterdam 12-14 days, Tema to Hamburg 14-16 days, Lagos to Rotterdam 14-18 days. For refined shea butter shipped in flexitanks, the product must be heated to above 45 degrees Celsius for loading. Receiving facilities need heating equipment to discharge.

Step 6: Clear EU Customs

• Customs Declaration - Filed electronically through the national customs system (e.g., AGS in Netherlands, ATLAS in Germany).
• EORI Number - Required for all EU importers.
• Import Duty - Shea butter (HS 1515 90) enters at 0% under the EU-ECOWAS EPA with EUR.1. MFN rate is 3.2% without preference.
• Import VAT - At the destination country rate (21% NL, 19% DE), reclaimable for VAT-registered businesses.
• Food Safety Checks - For food-grade shea butter, border controls may test for PAHs, 3-MCPD, and contaminants under increased monitoring regulations.
• Cosmetics Regulation - If importing for cosmetic use, the product must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. A Responsible Person in the EU must be designated, and the product must be notified on the CPNP (Cosmetic Products Notification Portal) before being placed on the market.

Step 7: Receive and Inspect

Inspect the shipment against contract specifications. Pull samples for independent lab analysis. For cosmetic-grade, maintain a Product Information File (PIF) including safety assessment, COA, and manufacturing process details. For food-grade, maintain HACCP/food safety records. Keep all import records for at least 5 years for regulatory compliance.

Key Documents Required

• EORI Number
• Customs Import Declaration
• EUR.1 Movement Certificate
• Commercial Invoice and Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Analysis
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• EU Organic Certificate (if applicable)
• CPNP Notification (for cosmetic-grade)
• Responsible Person designation (for cosmetic-grade)

HS Codes and Duty Rates

• 1515 90 99 - Shea butter, crude or refined. MFN: 3.2%. Under EPA: 0%.
• 1516 20 98 - Hydrogenated/fractionated shea butter. MFN: 5.1%. Under EPA: 0%.
• 1517 90 99 - Shea butter food preparations. MFN: 5.1%. Under EPA: 0%.

For the full HS code reference, see our HS Code Directory.

Common Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• PAH contamination - The single biggest issue for EU shea butter imports. Traditional sun-drying and smoking of shea nuts causes PAH formation. Insist on suppliers who use mechanical dryers or improved smoking methods. Test every batch.
• CPNP notification forgotten - Placing cosmetic shea butter on the EU market without CPNP notification is a regulatory violation. Your designated Responsible Person must handle this before any sales.
• Wrong HS code - Using the incorrect HS code can result in higher duties or border delays. Refined and crude shea butter may fall under different codes. Consult your customs broker.
• No EUR.1 certificate - Without it, you pay 3.2-5.1% duty. The EUR.1 must be applied for before the goods leave the origin country.
• Flexitank leaks - Flexitank shipments are cost-effective but leaks do occur. Use reputable flexitank suppliers and insist on insurance. Inspect the container floor and walls before loading.
• Organic fraud - Some suppliers claim organic status without valid certification. Always verify the organic certificate directly with the certification body before purchasing.

How Origin Direct Makes This Easy

Origin Direct sources shea butter from cooperatives in Ghana and Nigeria that use improved processing methods to meet EU PAH limits. We manage quality control at every stage, from shea nut collection through final packaging, and provide full COA documentation with every shipment. Our team handles EUR.1 certificates, export documentation, and freight coordination to major EU ports. For cosmetic-grade buyers, we can connect you with EU-based Responsible Persons and guide you through the CPNP notification process. You get West African prices with European compliance standards.