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12024200
OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUITS; MISCELLANEOUS GRAINS, SEEDS AND FRUIT; INDUSTRIAL OR MEDICINAL PLANTS; STRAW AND FODDER›Groundnuts, not roasted or otherwise cooked, whether or not shelled or broken

Shelled, whether or not broken

Standard EU duty
VAT
8%
Additional duties / sanctions
0 rules
Docs required
15 docs
C644Y9297P027P457P017P55+9
Standard rates
Applies toTypeRateConditionsRegulation
ERGA OMNES (excl. RU, BY)Third country duty2 condition(s)R1652/24
ERGA OMNESLow-value consignment customs duty3 EUR7 condition(s)R0382/26
ERGA OMNESUnion handling fee2 EUR2 condition(s)R2108/26
BYThird country duty50%-R1652/24
RUThird country duty50%-R1652/24
Preferences
AD 0%CARI 0%CI 0%CM 0%DOEd-D /L-SEH 0%EG 0%ESA 0%FJ 0%GB 0%GH 0%IL 0%IS 0%JO 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%MX 0%PG 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SM 0%WS 0%
Notes
CD775
In case the goods are exported directly or indirectly from the Russian Federation or Belarus the increased duty rate based on Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1652 is applied.
TM01066
An ‘item’ is determined by the product's tariff classification, not by the number of physical pieces. Commission examples: 5 identical T-shirts = €3 (1 item); a T-shirt and a watch = €6 (2 items). The measure covers distance sales in consignments valued up to €150. The Commission states an exception for goods covered by preferential agreements or customs union measures when VAT was not collected through IOSS and the goods are declared in H1. European Commission guidance (08 Jun 2026, updated 20 Jul 2026)
Tariff data footnote textFrom 1 July 2026 until 1 July 2028, a customs duty of EUR 3 per item in a consignment the intrinsic value of which does not exceed a total of EUR 150 shall apply instead of the relief eliminated pursuant to Article 1 of this Regulation, where:(a) the importation of the goods is exempt from VAT in accordance with Article 143(1), point (ca), of Directive 2006/112/EC; or(b) the goods are in a postal consignment as defined in Article 1, point (24), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446.The merchant product identifier, the non-standardised manufacturer product identifier and, if it exists for the item, the standardised manufacturer product identifier, as they are defined in Article 1(57) of Regulation, shall be provided for each item regarding goods sold in distance sales of imported goods, as defined in Article 14(4) point (2) of Directive 2006/112/EC. The product identifier’ the unique alphanumeric code assigned to a specific model, batch or article, ensuring, at any packaging level, its precise, unambiguous identification and traceability at every stage of the supply chain, from the offering for sale, including online or distance sale, through the sale and supply to post-market activities. A product identifier may be any of the following:- a ‘manufacturer product identifier’, assigned by the manufacturer, the producer or the product supplier. Such identifier is ‘standardised’ where it relies on internationally recognised standards, and ‘non-standardised’ otherwise;- a ‘merchant product identifier’, assigned by an online seller, marketplace or platform.”
TM01086
Customs authorities shall collect a Union handling fee of a fixed amount per item for the services to be rendered for handling a request for placing goods under the release for free circulation procedure where those goods are sold in distance sales.
TM904
Preferences granted under the agreement between the European Union and Morocco in force from 19 July 2019.As of 3 October 2025, products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco shall benefit from trade preferences under the terms of the new Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the EU and Morocco, The European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to allow those products to be identified by reference to the region of origin to be included in the proof of origin and as provided for in Protocol 4.In view of the application of these measures, the origin certificates codes U179 and U180 must be declared.The country code to be entered in the origin declaration when these proofs of origin are used is “2000”.
CD906
The list of non-eligible locations and their postal codes is available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/technical-arrangement_postal-codes.pdf
2

Binding Tariff Information

BTI classification examples

DEsilver193/24-6

Peeled peanuts for bird food

orzeszki ziemne (Arachis hypogaea)GRI 1GRI 5bGRI 6
DEgold499/24-1

Blanched, peeled peanuts for consumption

orzeszki ziemne (Arachis hypogaea)GRI 1GRI 6GRI 5b

BTI (Binding Tariff Information) is an official EU customs decision confirming the classification of goods. Valid for 3 years, binding across all EU member states.

Classification of shelled groundnuts

CN code 120242 covers shelled groundnuts (peanuts), whether or not broken, other than for sowing. Groundnuts are seeds of Arachis hypogaea, cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates. Shelled groundnuts are seeds without husks, ready for direct consumption, roasting, or processing. Major exporters include Argentina, China, India, and West African countries. Classification under 120242 requires the nuts to be shelled and not intended for sowing. Roasted or otherwise processed peanuts are classified in Chapter 20. Correct classification is critical due to different food safety requirements.

Food safety and aflatoxin controls

Importing groundnuts into the EU is subject to rigorous controls due to aflatoxin contamination risk. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum aflatoxin levels in groundnuts. Groundnuts from specified countries are subject to increased controls under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, with higher sampling frequency at the border. Groundnuts are a potent allergen requiring mandatory declaration under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Phytosanitary controls address potential pests and plant diseases. Pesticide residue requirements are governed by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

Import and trade in 2026

Importers of shelled groundnuts should indicate CN code 120242 with a certificate of analysis including aflatoxin, pesticide, and heavy metal test results. A phytosanitary certificate is required. Pre-shipment testing is recommended due to aflatoxin risk. Preferential tariff rates may be available under EU trade agreements. Transport requires dry conditions preventing mould growth. In 2026, aflatoxin controls remain the key challenge for groundnut imports from third countries. Organic certification requires compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848.

Aflatoxin controls for groundnuts

Shelled groundnuts under CN 1202 42 are subject to some of the strictest aflatoxin controls in the EU. Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 sets aflatoxin B1 at 8 µg/kg and total aflatoxins at 15 µg/kg for groundnuts intended for direct consumption. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus pose serious carcinogenic risks. Imports from China, India and African countries face enhanced controls. The RASFF system records numerous exceedances, resulting in increased border inspection frequency for these origins.

Frequently asked questions

Why are groundnuts subject to increased controls in the EU?
Groundnuts are particularly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination from Aspergillus fungi. Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 provides for increased controls on groundnuts from specified high-risk countries, including higher sampling and laboratory testing frequencies.
Must groundnuts be declared as an allergen?
Yes. Groundnuts are listed among allergens in Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. Food products containing peanuts or their derivatives must declare their presence on labels, regardless of the quantity used.
What aflatoxin limits apply to groundnuts in the EU?
Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 in groundnuts. Limits differ for sorted nuts intended for direct consumption and nuts for further processing.
What aflatoxin limits apply to groundnuts CN 1202 42?
For groundnuts CN 1202 42 for direct consumption, aflatoxin B1 limit is 8 µg/kg and total aflatoxins 15 µg/kg. Limits are higher for further processing. Enhanced EU border controls apply.