Shipping Olive Oil Internationally
Portugal is Europe's third-largest olive oil producer — strict liquid containment rules apply for safe shipping.
Portugal is one of Europe's top olive oil producers, with premium extra virgin olive oil from Alentejo and Trás-os-Montes increasingly popular internationally. Olive oil is a food product and a liquid, so shipping it internationally requires complying with both carrier liquid containment rules and food import regulations at the destination. Unlike alcohol, olive oil is not restricted by destination country import laws in most markets — it is a non-hazardous food product. However, leakage is the primary risk: glass bottles can break, plastic bottles can be punctured, and oily leaks contaminate other parcels. Carriers require triple containment for any liquid shipment.
Carrier Acceptance
| Carrier | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | Yes | Accepts olive oil as food product. Must be in sealed original containers with triple containment packaging. Mark as 'Food — Olive Oil'. |
| FedEx | Yes | Accepts olive oil with proper liquid packaging (sealed containers, absorbent inner, waterproof outer). Commercial invoice required for international shipments. |
| UPS | Yes | Accepts sealed olive oil. UPS requires all liquid shipments to meet the 'sealed primary container — absorbent material — leak-proof secondary' rule. |
| DPD | Yes | DPD accepts food liquids including olive oil within the EU. For non-EU routes, check DPD's food liquid acceptance per destination. |
| GLS | Yes | GLS accepts olive oil within the EU. Proper liquid containment required. GLS recommends tin/can packaging over glass for road services due to vibration. |
How to Pack Olive Oil for Shipping
Choose the right container
Tins/cans are the safest primary container for shipping — they do not break and seal well. Glass bottles are traditional but fragile; plastic bottles are lighter but can be punctured. If using glass, select thick-walled bottles with secure caps.
Seal the primary container
Ensure each bottle or can is tightly sealed. Add extra tape around the cap or lid. For glass bottles, apply heat-shrink capsules over the cork/cap and reinforce with waterproof tape. Oil leaking from improperly sealed caps is the most common cause of damaged shipments.
Apply absorbent inner packaging
Place each sealed container in an individual plastic bag (zip-lock or heat-sealed). Then wrap in oil-absorbent materials — use oil-absorbent pads (available from packaging suppliers) or thick layers of kitchen paper. This is the secondary containment layer.
Pack in a waterproof inner box
Place the individually wrapped containers in a waterproof box liner (polythene bag lining a cardboard box), then in a sturdy corrugated box with cell dividers or foam inserts to prevent glass-to-glass contact. Fill all void space with packing peanuts or crumpled paper.
Seal and label the outer box
Tape all seams of the outer box with reinforced packaging tape. Label the box: 'FOOD PRODUCT — OLIVE OIL', 'THIS SIDE UP', 'FRAGILE (if glass)'. Include the commercial invoice listing product name, quantity, declared value and HS code.
Customs & Declarations
Olive oil HS code: 1509 (olive oil and its fractions) — 1509.10 for virgin and extra virgin olive oil; 1509.90 for refined/blended. Your commercial invoice should state: 'Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Portugal', quantity (litres or kg), declared value. EU destinations: free movement, no customs duty. UK: 0% duty for Portuguese olive oil under UK-EU TCA. USA: olive oil is generally duty-free under the US Generalised System of Preferences for EU origin. However, the USA has imposed Section 232/301 tariffs that have historically affected Spanish olive oil — Portuguese olive oil is generally exempt from these. FDA food import registration may be required for commercial importers to the USA. Brazil: food imports to Brazil require prior ANVISA approval for many categories — olive oil as a natural food product generally qualifies but requires correct declaration.
Pro Tips
Tin/can containers dramatically reduce leakage risk compared to glass — many Portuguese producers sell 1L, 2.5L and 5L tins specifically for export.
For EU destinations, DPD and GLS road services work well for olive oil — no airline liquid restrictions apply and road vibration is well-handled with proper cell packaging.
Order oil-absorbent sheets from packaging suppliers — they are cheap, lightweight and required for courier compliance with liquid shipping rules.
Temperature: olive oil solidifies partially below 4°C. This is harmless and the oil returns to liquid at room temperature, but warn recipients in cold-climate countries in winter.
For gift shipments of premium Portuguese olive oil, use a presentation box inside a purpose-built shipping box — the inner gift box protects the primary packaging.
Declare the accurate value on customs invoices — olive oil is inspected at some borders and undervalued shipments can be seized or fined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ship olive oil internationally by courier?
Yes. Olive oil is a non-hazardous food product accepted by all major couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, GLS). It must be properly packaged with triple containment (sealed container, absorbent inner packaging, leakproof outer box). There are no special licences required unlike alcohol.
What is the best way to package olive oil for shipping?
The safest approach: (1) sealed original container (tin/can preferred over glass), (2) individual plastic bag around each container, (3) oil-absorbent pads or thick paper wrap, (4) sturdy corrugated box with cell dividers, (5) all void space filled, all seams taped. Tin/can containers are strongly preferred for couriers due to no breakage risk.
Is olive oil a restricted item for international shipping?
No. Olive oil is a standard food product and is not on any carrier's restricted items list. The main packaging requirement is liquid containment (triple containment rule). Destination countries: most accept olive oil freely. Some countries (Brazil, India) have food import registration requirements for commercial importers.
What HS code should I use for olive oil?
Extra virgin and virgin olive oil: HS 1509.10. Refined or lampante olive oil: HS 1509.90. Olive pomace oil: HS 1510. For most Portuguese premium olive oil exports, HS 1509.10 is the correct code. Always check the destination country's tariff schedule for the exact 8 or 10-digit subheading.
How much does it cost to ship olive oil from Portugal internationally?
A 3-bottle gift box (approx 4 kg total) to Germany: €12–€20 by DPD/GLS. To the UK: €15–€25 by DPD. To the USA: €45–€80 by FedEx/DHL. A 5L tin (6 kg) to France: €10–€18 by DPD. Compare live rates on Cargosender — exact prices depend on exact weight and surcharges.
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