1509.20.20.30 - Certified organic

This classification, HTS 1509.20.20.30, specifically designates certified organic extra virgin olive oil, packaged in containers weighing less than 18 kilograms. This category applies to olive oil that meets the stringent standards of organic certification, indicating it has been produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms throughout its cultivation and processing. The "extra virgin" designation signifies that the oil is of superior quality, obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical or other physical means, under conditions that do not alter the oil.

The key differentiator for this HTS code, compared to its sibling 1509.20.20.90 ("Other"), is the explicit requirement for organic certification. While both cover extra virgin olive oil in containers under 18 kg, this specific sub-line item mandates that the product must have undergone and passed an official organic certification process recognized by relevant authorities. Therefore, non-organic extra virgin olive oil, even if packaged identically, would fall under the "Other" category.

As this HTS code represents a leaf node in the tariff schedule, there are no further subcategories to introduce. The classification is definitive for certified organic extra virgin olive oil presented in immediate containers weighing under 18 kg. Importers and exporters should ensure that all necessary documentation substantiating the organic certification is readily available to support the declared classification.