Cocoa export requirements for European Union

The compliance checklist for exporting cocoa from West Africa to European Union — 9 requirements across 3 categories. Market risk: High.

Last reviewed 29 July 2026 · verify against official sources before shipment.

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The checklist

What you need for European Union

EUDR Compliance

Geo-location data for all cocoa plots required

GPS polygon coordinates for each farm plot (latitude/longitude points). Required for EUDR Due Diligence Statement.

⏱ ~30 days ≈ $200–$2000 Issuer: COCOBOD / Licensed Buying Company

Due Diligence Statement (DDS) submitted to EU TRACES portal required

Online submission via EU TRACES NT system before first shipment enters EU market.

⏱ ~7 days ≈ $0–$500 Issuer: EU TRACES NT

Deforestation-free declaration (post December 2020) required

Documentary evidence that all land used for cocoa cultivation was not deforested after 31 December 2020.

⏱ ~14 days ≈ $500–$3000 Issuer: Satelligence / Global Forest Watch / Aya Data

COCOBOD Export Licence required

All cocoa and cocoa products exported from Ghana must be licensed by COCOBOD.

⏱ ~14 days ≈ $100–$500 Issuer: Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD)

Certificate of Origin (ECOWAS/Form A) required

Enables GSP tariff preference under DCTS for Ghana origin cocoa. Required for preferential duty access.

⏱ ~3 days ≈ $30–$100 Issuer: Ghana National Chamber of Commerce / GEPA

Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade certification recommended

Increasingly demanded by EU buyers. Certification significantly eases EUDR due diligence burden and commands price premium.

⏱ ~180 days ≈ $1000–$8000 Issuer: Rainforest Alliance / Fairtrade International

Food Safety & Contaminants

Aflatoxin B1 test certificate (≤ 5 µg/kg) required

EU Regulation 2023/915 requires aflatoxin B1 ≤ 5 µg/kg for cocoa. Must be tested at EU-approved laboratory.

⏱ ~7 days ≈ $150–$400 Issuer: Bureau Veritas Ghana / SGS Ghana / FDA-accredited lab

Cadmium test certificate (EU Reg 2023/915) required

Stricter cadmium limits from Jan 2026: cocoa powder ≤ 0.60 mg/kg, dark chocolate (>50% cocoa) ≤ 0.80 mg/kg.

⏱ ~7 days ≈ $150–$400 Issuer: Bureau Veritas Ghana / SGS Ghana

Phytosanitary & Quality

Phytosanitary Certificate (NPPO-issued) required

Issued by Ghana Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD). Required for all cocoa shipments.

⏱ ~7 days ≈ $50–$200 Issuer: Ghana PPRSD / COCOBOD

This checklist is generated from Passmark’s live rules engine and reviewed regularly, but regulations change — always confirm current requirements with official sources and your buyer before shipment.

FAQ

Cocoa → European Union questions

Do I need a geo-location data for all cocoa plots to export cocoa to European Union?

Yes — Geo-location data for all cocoa plots is one of the required items for the Cocoa → European Union lane. This page lists the full checklist, and you can check your own status free.

Is cocoa to European Union covered by EUDR?

Yes — this lane includes EU Deforestation Regulation requirements (geolocation, due-diligence statement and deforestation-free evidence). See the EUDR items above.

How long does it take to become compliant for cocoa → European Union?

Individual items range from a few days to a few weeks; the longest single item here is around 180 days, so start well ahead of your shipment. Indicative total document cost is on the order of a few hundred to a few thousand US dollars.

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