Importing Argan Oil from Morocco into the United States
Moroccan argan oil crosses three regulatory layers on the way to a U.S. plant: customs classification and duty, FDA import review, and — for organic lots — USDA certification. This is a buyer’s map of each, with the official sources.
- By
- ArganOil.us Sourcing Team
- Published
- Reading time
- 4 min
Key takeaways
- CBP has classified argan oil under HTSUS 1515.90.8090 (3.2% general duty); Moroccan-origin goods can qualify for duty-free entry under the FTA.
- Imported cosmetic ingredients and products must meet the same FDA requirements as domestic ones; FDA may examine and sample at entry.
- Since 19 March 2024, every organic shipment needs an electronic NOP Import Certificate.
- Agree an Incoterms® 2020 rule so costs and risk transfer are unambiguous.
Tariff classification and duty
In ruling NY N237743, U.S. Customs and Border Protection classified argan oil imported from Morocco under HTSUS subheading 1515.90.8090 — other fixed vegetable oils — with a general duty rate of 3.2% ad valorem. The ruling notes that products of Morocco may be entitled to duty-free treatment under the U.S.–Morocco Free Trade Agreement when all applicable requirements are met, and that the goods must be marked with their country of origin.[1]
FDA review at the border
Cosmetics offered for import must comply with the same FDA laws and regulations as those made in the United States. FDA reviews entry data — declared manufacturer, importer or consignee, product description and any Affirmation of Compliance codes — and may conduct field examinations and collect samples.[2] Affirmation of Compliance codes are voluntary for cosmetics but can speed screening. Shipments that appear adulterated or misbranded can be refused admission.[3]
Accurate, consistent documents are the practical defence against delays: the product description, manufacturer and lot data on the invoice should match the COA, SDS and labels.
Where MoCRA fits
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 requires facilities that manufacture or process cosmetic products for U.S. distribution to register with FDA and renew every two years, and responsible persons to list each marketed cosmetic product, including its ingredients. Certain small businesses are exempt from some requirements.[4]
How these obligations apply to a bulk ingredient — as opposed to a finished cosmetic product — depends on your supply chain and role. Treat this as a question for your regulatory advisor, and ask suppliers for the facility information your filings need.
Organic lots: the NOP Import Certificate
Under USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule, since 19 March 2024 every shipment of organic product entering the United States needs an electronic NOP Import Certificate. The exporter’s certifier issues it in the Organic Integrity Database, one certificate per product and HTS code, and the U.S. importer uses it for entry in CBP’s ACE system.[5] Plan for it before the goods ship — it cannot be created after arrival without delay.
Our organic argan oil wholesale page explains how certified lots are documented.
Documents to expect with each shipment
| Document | Purpose | Usually from |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Value, description, origin for customs entry | Exporter |
| Packing list | Containers, lots, net and gross weights | Exporter |
| Bill of lading / air waybill | Carriage contract and title (sea) or receipt (air) | Carrier / forwarder |
| Certificate of origin | Supports origin and FTA treatment | Exporter / issuing authority |
| Certificate of analysis | Lot quality against the specification | Exporter |
| Safety data sheet | Hazard communication for handling and storage | Exporter |
| NOP Import Certificate | Required for organic shipments | Exporter’s organic certifier |
Agree who pays for what: Incoterms®
The ICC’s Incoterms® rules — currently the 2020 edition, in force since 1 January 2020 — are eleven three-letter trade terms that allocate tasks, costs and risk between seller and buyer.[6] Moroccan argan oil exporters commonly quote EXW, FOB, CIF or delivered terms such as DAP and DDP.[9][8] Name the rule and the place (for example “FOB Casablanca” or “DAP your warehouse”) in the quotation.
Our Morocco-to-U.S. logistics page sets out what we need to quote a delivered price, and our Moroccan argan oil wholesale program covers origin documentation. Standard lead times from Morocco are confirmed with each quotation — request a delivered quotation with your destination.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the HTS code for argan oil?
- CBP ruling NY N237743 classified argan oil from Morocco under HTSUS 1515.90.8090. Confirm current classification with your customs broker, as rulings apply to specific goods.
- Do I need an import certificate for organic argan oil?
- Yes. Since 19 March 2024, each organic shipment entering the U.S. needs an electronic NOP Import Certificate issued by the exporter’s certifier.
- Does FDA approve argan oil before import?
- FDA does not require premarket approval for cosmetic ingredients other than color additives, but imported cosmetics must meet the same requirements as domestic ones and may be examined or sampled at entry.
Sources
Figures in this article come from the sources below, checked on September 30, 2026. Supplier listings are cited as evidence of market practice only.
- CBP ruling NY N237743 — tariff classification of argan oil from Morocco (1 Feb 2013) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (via CustomsMobile).
- Importing Cosmetics — U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Information for Cosmetics Importers — U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- NOP Import Certificates — USDA Agricultural Marketing Service.
- Incoterms® rules — International Chamber of Commerce.
- Bulk argan oil wholesale — sizes, packaging and documents — Moroccan Sample SARL — published supplier listing.
- Argan oil wholesale & bulk export services — Arganisme Organics — published supplier listing.
- Organic argan oil bulk & wholesale listing (formats, MOQ, Incoterms) — Purificados — published supplier listing.
Prepared by the ArganOil.us Sourcing Team. General information for B2B buyers — not legal, regulatory or customs advice. ArganOil.us terms (grades, formats, minimums, lead times) are confirmed with each quotation.