Lavender oil may be imported into the U.S. free of duty, while lavandin oil is subject to duty and artificial mixtures, which include adulterated oils, are assessed a higher rate of duty. It is necessary, therefore, that an analytical method be available by which these oils may he identified correctly.
Comparative studies of these oils described in the literature usually stress differences in some physicochemical constants and concentrations of a few major componenets, especially linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor and 1,8-cineole. It was believed that for Customs purposes a more detailed characterization was required, and concentration ranges were established for components present to the extent of more than 0.5% in these oils. Glass capillary gas chromatography was found to be a suitable method of analysis, and mass spectrometry of the separated components aided in their identification.