US → EU Hemp Export Compliance Checklist

Everything you need to move a hemp shipment from an American farm to a European buyer — cleanly, legally, and without a border delay. Built from real shipments.

Exporting hemp isn't hard — but it is unforgiving. A single missing document or a COA that reads over the legal THC threshold can hold an entire load at customs. Work through this list before any shipment moves. If you'd rather hand the whole thing off, that's exactly what we do.

1 Product Testing & Verification

Certificate of Analysis (COA) from an accredited labConfirms cannabinoid profile and total THC content for the specific lot being shipped.

Total THC ≤ 0.3% (dry-weight) confirmedVerify the lab reports total THC (Δ9-THC + THCA conversion), not just Δ9 — this is where loads fail.

COA lot number matches the physical shipmentThe paperwork must trace to the exact biomass, flower, or extract on the truck.

Pesticide / heavy-metal / microbial screening (if buyer or destination requires)EU buyers and processors often require a cleaner spec than the US minimum.

2 US-Side Documentation

Proof of licensed / USDA-compliant sourceDocumentation that the hemp was grown under a licensed, compliant program.

Bill of LadingGoverns the domestic freight leg from farm to port or airport.

Commercial invoice & packing listItemized value, weight, and contents for customs on both sides.

Transport documentation for the driverCompliance paperwork the driver can present at any checkpoint or law-enforcement stop.

3 Export & International Requirements

Phytosanitary certificate (plant material)Required for biomass, flower, and live plants entering the EU.

Air waybill or ocean bill of ladingThe controlling document for the international leg.

Country-of-origin & export declarationFiled for the outbound US customs process.

Correct HS / commodity code classificationMisclassification is a leading cause of customs holds and unexpected duties.

4 EU Import & Delivery

Destination-country import requirements confirmedHemp import rules vary across EU member states — confirm the specific country of entry.

EU customs clearance arrangedDuties, VAT, and clearance handled before goods land — not after.

Bonded / compliant warehouse bookedA cleared destination so product isn't sitting at a port accruing fees.

Final buyer delivery & handover documentedChain of custody closed out on delivery.

⚠ Top 4 reasons hemp shipments get held

1) COA reports Δ9-THC only and total THC is actually over 0.3% · 2) Missing phytosanitary certificate on plant material · 3) Wrong HS commodity code · 4) Destination-country import rule missed because the EU was treated as one uniform market.

Would rather not manage all of this?

That's the entire reason Clearpoint Global exists. We handle every line on this list — end to end — so you just ship or receive.

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contact@clearpoint-global.com · +1 213-800-4939 · Calabasas, CA

This checklist is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, tax, or customs advice. Requirements change and vary by product, route, and jurisdiction; verify current rules with the relevant authorities or qualified professionals before shipping. Clearpoint Global LLC handles lawful hemp and hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% Δ9-THC on a dry-weight basis under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and applicable USDA regulations. © 2026 Clearpoint Global LLC.