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Import guide

How to Import Shea Butter into Cambodia

Tariff line, regulator, documents, transit from Lagos and clearance for Cambodia — every fact sourced and dated.

Summary

Shea butter enters Cambodia under HS heading 1515.90 — 1515.90 in the national tariff. To import it, confirm the tariff line and duty, complete the Finished-product notification sits with the local importer or brand, assemble the documents below, ship from Lagos to Sihanoukville (32–50 days).
Key facts for importing shea butter into Cambodia (sources and dates in References)
Customs authority
Cambodia classifies goods on an 8-digit ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature line under heading 1515.90. The importer confirms the national extension on the customs single window.
Cosmetics authority
DDF applies ASEAN Cosmetic Directive-style notification for finished cosmetics. Bulk shea butter used as a raw material is not automatically a finished-product notification.
Food authority
Edible-fat imports follow the national food authority in Cambodia. Food-use shea butter is declared as a vegetable fat, not as a finished food.
National tariff line
1515.90
Product notification
Finished-product notification sits with the local importer or brand. Bulk industrial shea is specified on the purchase contract and the COA.
Ports of discharge
Sihanoukville
Transit from Lagos
32–50 days
Certification priority
HACCP, ISO 22716 / GMP, COSMOS
Labelling language
English and/or the official language of Cambodia
Specific to Cambodia
DDF is the named Cambodia authority on this page.
Specific to Cambodia (2)
Lagos boxes for Cambodia are planned for Sihanoukville (KHKOS).
Specific to Cambodia (3)
Phnom Penh is the named inland or port hub for Cambodia.

Nigerian shea butter for Cambodia

Cambodia does not grow shea commercially. Bulk shea butter is imported from the West African belt. Sihanoukville is the sea door; Phnom Penh is the inland buying city. EMI Agro works with 5,000+ women collectors in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi. Sihanoukville is the usual discharge.

Ask for a batch COA on a NIS 571:2013 basis: free fatty acid, peroxide value, moisture, colour and melting point. Reject lots that smell sharply rancid or pour like liquid oil at room temperature. DDF filings sit with the Cambodia importer — they do not replace a COA.

Trial lots start at 5 tonnes; standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Send the request even if you need less — EMI Agro reviews every Cambodia enquiry against current production of 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Lead time is Ibadan production plus ocean time to Sihanoukville. Quotes are EXW, FOB or CIF; each term prices different services beyond the butter.

What are you buying shea butter for in Cambodia?

Two questions. We show the grade, the documents that usually apply and the next step — we do not invent a price.

Use
Quantity
  1. 1

    Step 1 — Classify & tariff

    Shea butter is classified under HS heading 1515.90 worldwide; Cambodia extends it to the national line below.

    Tariff classification for shea butter in Cambodia (sources and dates in References)
    ItemValueSource
    HS heading1515.90 — globalHarmonized System
    National tariff line1515.90 — other fixed vegetable fats and oils. Residual refined or other shea that is not a named specialty oil is usually the 'Other' national line (often 1515.90.99). Confirm on the national tariff.moh.gov.kh
    Duty and tax noteVegetable fats under 1515.90 typically follow the national MFN oils-and-fats rate plus GST/VAT where charged.moh.gov.kh
    Preference scheme and proof of originSingapore dutiable categories are liquors, tobacco, vehicles and petroleum — shea is usually GST-only there. Confirm Cambodia's line on the entry date.moh.gov.kh

    Vegetable fats under 1515.90 typically follow the national MFN oils-and-fats rate plus GST/VAT where charged. Singapore dutiable categories are liquors, tobacco, vehicles and petroleum — shea is usually GST-only there. Confirm Cambodia's line on the entry date.

    Why the first six digits are the same everywhere is explained in the exporting and importing shea butter guide.

  2. 2

    Step 2 — Regulatory registration

    In Cambodia, cosmetic-grade shea butter falls under DDF; food-grade under the food authority.

    Finished cosmetics supplied in Cambodia are notified to DDF before sale. A Nigerian factory supplying bulk drums does not itself file that notification.

    Finished-product notification sits with the local importer or brand. Bulk industrial shea is specified on the purchase contract and the COA.

    Food-use drums follow Cambodia food-import controls. The importer, not the exporter, holds the food-import permit where one is required.

    Finished cosmetics usually require English or the national language on the outer pack. Bulk drums follow the contract language.

    Buyers in Cambodia most often ask for HACCP, ISO 22716 / GMP and COSMOS; status is on our certifications page. See HACCP, ISO 22716 / GMP, COSMOS and our certifications page.

  3. 3

    Step 3 — Required documents

    The documents below are those DDF lists for a shea butter consignment; EMI Agro issues the ones marked as ours.

    Documents for importing shea butter into Cambodia (sources and dates in References)
    DocumentIssued byWhen
    Commercial invoiceEMI AgroAt booking
    Packing listEMI AgroAt stuffing
    Bill of ladingCarrierOn vessel departure
    Certificate of Analysis (per batch)EMI AgroWith shipping documents
    Certificate of originNigerian agencyBefore shipment
    Form NXPNigerian agencyBefore shipment
    Import permit / single-window declarationBuyer / importerBefore release from the port
    Cosmetic product notification (finished goods only)Buyer / importerBefore supplying a finished cosmetic

    Nigerian export-side documents are explained in how to import shea butter from Nigeria; the COA format is on the certificate of analysis page.

  4. 4

    Step 4 — Shipping & Incoterms

    EMI Agro loads at Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos) for Cambodia discharge at the ports below.

    Typical sea transit from Lagos to Cambodia (port-to-port days; confirm on the booking)
    PortUN/LOCODETransit (days)Schedules read on
    SihanoukvilleKHKOS32–50September 2026
    • EXW: buyer arranges collection, freight and insurance from the factory.
    • FOB: EMI Agro delivers on board at the named Lagos port; buyer arranges ocean freight.
    • CIF: EMI Agro arranges freight and insurance to the named discharge port.

    Container configuration is calculated separately — use the shea export container calculator and the container notes on the export overview.

  5. 5

    Step 5 — Customs clearance & inspection

    Clearance in Cambodia is handled through DDF.

    Boxes discharge at Sihanoukville. The importer lodges the single-window permit before release.

Working with EMI Agro

MOQ
Standard orders start at 20 tonnes. Trial lots start at 5 tonnes. Smaller volumes can still be requested — we review every enquiry against current production.
Lead time
Lead time is Ibadan production time plus ocean time to the named port. EMI Agro produces 40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter and can schedule rolling shipments. Exact weeks depend on the quantity on the purchase order.
Incoterms
EXW, FOB, CIF
Samples
Trial lots start at 5 tonnes of the named grade. Send the request even if you need less — we review whether we can supply.
Load ports
Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos)

For Cambodia buyers our supplier page covers MOQ, price basis, packaging and lead time in detail. Shea butter supplier in Cambodia.

For commodity background see the complete guide to shea butter.

Frequently asked questions

References & standards

  1. moh.gov.kh (accessed 13 September 2026)
  2. maersk.com (accessed 13 September 2026)

Last reviewed September 2026 by EMI Agro Industries QC team.

Manufacturer-direct from Ibadan, Nigeria

Get an export quote for Cambodia

Tell us grade, volume and your port of discharge in Cambodia; we reply with pricing, the document set and a current COA.

You have just read How to Import Shea Butter into Cambodia. The next step is a real lot from the factory that produces it — EMI Agro, with factory-direct pricing and a batch Certificate of Analysis.

  • Trusted manufacturer

    EMI Agro Industries Limited (RC 9364495) presses the butter in Ibadan — we are not a trading company.

  • Competitive factory-direct prices

    Quoted EXW, FOB or CIF — the buyer chooses. You pay the factory, not a chain of middlemen.

  • Export-ready supply

    We ship to European Union, United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Southeast Asia, China, India, Middle East, Latin America. Load ports: Apapa (Lagos) or Tin Can Island (Lagos).

  • Documented lots

    40 tonnes per week of finished shea butter, a Certificate of Analysis on every batch, NAFDAC registered and SON approved.