Sesame export requirements for European Union
The compliance checklist for exporting sesame from West Africa to European Union — 6 requirements across 1 category. Market risk: Medium.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026 · verify against official sources before shipment.
What you need for European Union
Food Safety & Contaminants
Sesame is an oilseed under EU contaminant law. Reg (EU) 2023/915 limits: oilseeds to be sorted or otherwise physically treated before sale, aflatoxin B1 ≤ 8.0 µg/kg and total (B1+B2+G1+G2) ≤ 15.0 µg/kg (entry 1.1.4); oilseeds used as the only ingredient or in processed products, B1 ≤ 2.0 µg/kg and total ≤ 4.0 µg/kg (entry 1.1.5).
Sesame must meet EU maximum residue levels under Reg (EC) 396/2005; look up sesame under code 0401040 in the EU Pesticides Database. Ethylene oxide is not allowed in the EU and its MRL in sesame is 0.05 mg/kg; sesame from India was put under emergency measures in 2020 after lots exceeded it more than 1,000-fold.
Only if you export sesame oil or groundnut oil. Reg (EU) 2023/915 limits for oils placed on the market for the final consumer or as a food ingredient: benzo(a)pyrene 2.0 µg/kg and the sum of four PAHs 10.0 µg/kg (5.1.11); sum of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters 2,500 µg/kg, the "other vegetable oils" tier that sesame and groundnut oil fall into (5.3.1.2); glycidyl fatty acid esters 1,000 µg/kg as glycidol (5.4.1). The aflatoxin exemption covers only crude oil destined for refining and refined oil, so unrefined (virgin, cold-pressed) oil sold as it is must also meet aflatoxin B1 2.0 µg/kg and total 4.0 µg/kg (1.1.5).
Salmonella is the main EU border issue for sesame: under Reg (EU) 2019/1793 (Annexes as replaced by Reg 2025/1441) sesame from Ethiopia, Thailand, India, Nigeria, Sudan and Uganda is checked at 20 to 50%. Ghanaian sesame is not on those lists, so no official certificate is required, but Salmonella must be absent and buyers routinely ask for a test report. The lists are reviewed regularly.
To claim EU–Ghana EPA preference, origin is proved by an origin declaration made out by the exporter on the invoice, delivery note or another commercial document. The exporter must be registered under Ghana’s procedure; unregistered exporters may only do this for originating consignments up to EUR 6,000. EU customs reject declarations generated by GRA through ICUMS, because they are not issued by the exporter.
Sesame is a listed allergen in the EU: consumer packs must clearly indicate it under Reg (EU) 1169/2011. This only applies when you sell packed product to consumers; bulk sesame for processing does not carry the consumer label.
Sesame → European Union questions
Do I need a aflatoxin test certificate (oilseed limits, reg 2023/915) to export sesame to European Union?
Yes — Aflatoxin test certificate (oilseed limits, Reg 2023/915) is one of the required items for the Sesame → European Union lane. This page lists the full checklist, and you can check your own status free.
Is sesame to European Union covered by EUDR?
This lane is not primarily driven by EUDR; its requirements are mainly phytosanitary, food-safety and market-access documents. See the full list above.
How long does it take to become compliant for sesame → European Union?
Individual items range from a few days to a few weeks; the longest single item here is an estimated 0 days, so start well ahead of your shipment.
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