How to Import Shea Butter into Germany
Tariff line, regulator, documents, transit from Lagos and clearance for Germany — every fact sourced and dated.
Summary
- Customs authority
- Das IT-Verfahren ATLAS unterstützt im Bereich der Einfuhr die Abwicklung verschiedener Zollverfahren und der Summarischen Anmeldung. Die Überlassung von Nicht-Unionswaren zum zollrechtlich freien Verkehr wird sowohl im Normalverfahren als auch im vereinfachten Verfahren unterstützt.
- Cosmetics authority
- Das BVL ist Ansprechpartner für das zentrale Notifizierungsportal der Europäischen Kommission für kosmetische Mittel "Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP)". Kosmetische Mittel werden von den Überwachungsbehörden der Bundesländer kontrolliert.
- Food authority
- Kosmetische Mittel werden von den Überwachungsbehörden der Bundesländer kontrolliert, die auch für die Überwachung der anderen Erzeugnisse des Lebensmittelrechts verantwortlich sind.
- National tariff line
- 1515 90 99
- Product notification
- Finished cosmetics are notified once in CPNP. There is no second national notification inside the Union.
- Ports of discharge
- Hamburg, Bremerhaven
- Transit from Lagos
- 18–28 days
- Certification priority
- EU Organic (EOS), COSMOS
- Labelling language
- Labelling in German
- Specific to Germany
- German Customs clears shea butter entries in the ATLAS-Einfuhr procedure.
- Specific to Germany (2)
- Containers discharge at Hamburg (DEHAM) or Bremerhaven (DEBRV).
- Specific to Germany (3)
- The national Kosmetik-Verordnung sets the German-language labelling rule.
Nigerian shea butter for Germany
Germany does not grow shea. The butter on a Germany COA is West African — EMI Agro presses it in Ibadan from wild-collected nuts. German buyers usually specify Sheabutter against a German-language COA and clear Hamburg or Bremerhaven in ATLAS. EMI Agro works with 5,000+ women collectors in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi. Munich buyers usually take the inland haul from Hamburg.
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. BVL filings sit with the Germany 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 Germany 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 Hamburg. Quotes are EXW, FOB or CIF; each term prices different services beyond the butter.
Two questions. We show the grade, the documents that usually apply and the next step — we do not invent a price.
Why Germany buys Nigerian shea butter
Germany does not grow shea. German briefs still say Sheabutter. Hamburg and Bremerhaven take the West Africa boxes; Frankfurt and Munich take the inland haul. EMI Agro presses the fat in Ibadan and loads at Lagos — there is no German crush.
Union TARIC measures for CN 1515 90 99 (conventional 9,6 %) apply at the German office of entry. German Customs clears in ATLAS-Einfuhr. CPNP and the EU Responsible Person sit at Union level for finished cosmetics; they do not replace a batch COA. BVL is the named food/cosmetics authority on this page.
Name Hamburg or Bremerhaven on the quote. Typical ocean time from Lagos is about 18–28 days. A German-language COA can be requested; the methods stay AOCS / ISO on a NIS 571:2013 basis. EMI Agro does not operate a German warehouse.
- 1
Step 1 — Classify & tariff
Shea butter is classified under HS heading 1515.90 worldwide; Germany extends it to the national line below.
Tariff classification for shea butter in Germany (sources and dates in References) Item Value Source HS heading 1515.90 — global Harmonized System National tariff line 1515 90 99 — Solid, other; fluid (Combined Nomenclature / TARIC, applied by German Customs). eur-lex.europa.eu Duty and tax note Conventional rate of duty for 1515 90 99 is 9,6 %. eur-lex.europa.eu Preference scheme and proof of origin German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) is charged in addition to the Union duty on the ATLAS entry. Nigeria remains a standard GSP beneficiary; preference is claimed with a REX statement on origin. eur-lex.europa.eu Conventional rate of duty for 1515 90 99 is 9,6 %. German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) is charged in addition to the Union duty on the ATLAS entry. Nigeria remains a standard GSP beneficiary; preference is claimed with a REX statement on origin.
Why the first six digits are the same everywhere is explained in the exporting and importing shea butter guide.
- 2
Step 2 — Regulatory registration
In Germany, cosmetic-grade shea butter falls under BVL; food-grade under the food authority.
Das Kosmetikrecht ist in der EU durch eine unmittelbar geltende EU-Kosmetikverordnung (Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1223/2009) einheitlich geregelt. Die zusätzlich geltende nationale Kosmetikverordnung regelt nur wenige Dinge wie die Kennzeichnung von loser Ware, die zu verwendende Sprache, Anzeigepflichten von Unternehmen oder die Sanktionierung.
Finished cosmetics are notified once in CPNP. There is no second national notification inside the Union.
Die Überwachungsbehörden der Bundesländer kontrollieren die Produkte auf dem Markt, nehmen Proben und führen bei Herstellern oder Importeuren Kontrollen durch.
Die zusätzlich geltende nationale Kosmetikverordnung regelt nur wenige Dinge wie die Kennzeichnung von loser Ware, die zu verwendende Sprache, Anzeigepflichten von Unternehmen oder die Sanktionierung. (locally Sheabutter)
Buyers in Germany most often ask for EU Organic (EOS) and COSMOS; status is on our certifications page. See EU Organic (EOS), COSMOS and our certifications page.
- 3
Step 3 — Required documents
The documents below are those BVL lists for a shea butter consignment; EMI Agro issues the ones marked as ours.
Documents for importing shea butter into Germany (sources and dates in References) Document Issued by When Commercial invoice EMI Agro At booking Packing list EMI Agro At stuffing Bill of lading Carrier On vessel departure Certificate of Analysis (per batch) EMI Agro With shipping documents REX statement on origin Nigerian agency On the commercial document ATLAS import declaration Buyer / importer Before release to free circulation EORI number Buyer / importer On the ATLAS declaration 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
Step 4 — Shipping & Incoterms
EMI Agro loads at Apapa (Lagos) and Tin Can Island (Lagos) for Germany discharge at the ports below.
Typical sea transit from Lagos to Germany (port-to-port days; confirm on the booking) Port UN/LOCODE Transit (days) Schedules read on Hamburg DEHAM 18–28 September 2026 Bremerhaven DEBRV 18–28 September 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
Step 5 — Customs clearance & inspection
Clearance in Germany is handled through BVL.
Im Bereich der Einfuhr sind die Überlassung von Nicht-Unionswaren zum zollrechtlich freien Verkehr sowie die Überführung in das Zolllagerverfahren und in das Verfahren der Aktiven Veredelung möglich. Die EORI-Nummer ist in elektronischen Zollanmeldungen anzugeben für den Anmelder und den Einführer bei der Einfuhr.
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 Germany buyers our supplier page covers MOQ, price basis, packaging and lead time in detail. Shea butter supplier in Germany.
For commodity background see the complete guide to shea butter.
Related pages
How to import shea butter into the European Union
How to import shea butter into France
How to import shea butter into the United Kingdom
How to import shea butter from Nigeria
Nigerian export-side procedure before the container sails.
Shea export container calculator
How many drums fit a container.
Exporting shea butter from Nigeria
HS heading, load ports and the country-guide hub.
Certificate of Analysis
How a batch COA is reported.
Frequently asked questions
References & standards
- zoll.de (accessed 13 September 2026)
- bvl.bund.de (accessed 13 September 2026)
- eur-lex.europa.eu (accessed 13 September 2026)
- single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu (accessed 13 September 2026)
- zoll.de (accessed 13 September 2026)
- 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 Germany
Tell us grade, volume and your port of discharge in Germany; we reply with pricing, the document set and a current COA.
You have just read How to Import Shea Butter into Germany. 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.