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Importing green coffee into the EU

Green (unroasted) coffee is one of the largest agricultural imports into the EU, from Vietnam and Brazil to Ethiopia, Colombia and Uganda. A workable import deal turns on four things: species and grade, the tariff line and any preference, EU deforestation due diligence (EUDR), and food safety - above all ochratoxin A. This is a practical overview with pointers to the sources you should check before each contract.

By Hiram Trade Editorial Desk

Published

8 min read

Species, grade and processing

  • Species: Arabica (milder, higher-value) and Robusta (more body, more caffeine, often lower cost). Vietnam is the main Robusta origin; Brazil ships both.
  • Processing: washed, natural (dry) or honey/pulped-natural, which drives cup profile and moisture handling.
  • Grade: by origin system - screen size, defect count (for example the SCA green grading model), altitude or cup score. State the exact grade, crop year, moisture (commonly specified around 12% maximum) and defect allowance, plus the sampling method and arbitration rules (for example the European Contract for Coffee, ECC).

Tariff code and preference

Coffee falls under HS heading 0901, split by whether it is roasted and whether it is decaffeinated:

  • 0901 11 / 0901 12 - green (not roasted), non-decaf / decaf;
  • 0901 21 / 0901 22 - roasted, non-decaf / decaf.

Green coffee generally enters the EU at a low or zero third-country duty, while roasted coffee can carry a duty; preferences may apply by origin (for example EVFTA for Vietnam, or GSP/EBA/ACP arrangements). Confirm the exact 8-digit code and the current rate in the European Commission's Access2Markets / TARIC - do not assume. See our guide to HS and CN codes.

EUDR: coffee is in scope

Coffee is one of the commodities covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115). An operator placing coffee on the EU market must exercise due diligence: collect the geolocation of the plots, show the coffee is deforestation-free against the 31 December 2020 cut-off, confirm it was produced legally, and file a due diligence statement in the EU information system.

Timing (per Regulation (EU) 2025/2650, the second postponement): the rules apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium operators and 30 June 2027 for micro and small operators, with simplified obligations for downstream operators and a simplified declaration for small and micro operators. The dates have moved more than once, so work from the current consolidated text, and build the geolocation and traceability flow with your supplier early. See our EUDR guide.

Food safety: ochratoxin A, acrylamide and more

The EU importer is a food business operator. Key acts:

  • Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (contaminants): sets maximum levels for ochratoxin A in roasted and soluble (instant) coffee; green coffee is managed so the finished product stays within the limit. Store and ship dry - ochratoxin A forms from mould in damp conditions;
  • Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 (acrylamide): benchmark levels and mandatory mitigation for roasted and instant coffee (relevant once the coffee is roasted);
  • Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (pesticide maximum residue levels);
  • Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and 852/2004 (food law and hygiene), Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (official controls).

For decaffeinated coffee, check the extraction solvent and its residue rules. Organic coffee falls under Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and needs an electronic certificate of inspection in TRACES. Require certificates of analysis for ochratoxin A and pesticides from an accredited laboratory.

Documents

A typical set for a sea shipment of green coffee:

  • commercial invoice and packing list;
  • bill of lading or other transport document;
  • ICO certificate of origin where the origin uses one, and/or a preferential origin proof (EUR.1 or a statement on origin) to claim a tariff preference;
  • phytosanitary certificate if required;
  • the EUDR due diligence statement reference (once EUDR applies) plus the geolocation dataset;
  • certificates of analysis (ochratoxin A, pesticides) from an accredited laboratory;
  • insurance certificate if the seller insures; pre-shipment inspection report if agreed;
  • for organic coffee: the TRACES certificate of inspection.

Do not assume a document is or is not needed: list the documents in the contract and confirm them with your customs broker.

Logistics

PackingNotes
Jute/sisal bags (commonly ~60-69 kg) in a containerthe traditional pack; use a dry liner
GrainPro / hermetic liners in bagsbetter protection of moisture and freshness
Bulk in a lined containerlower cost per tonne; condensation and taint risk

Green coffee is sensitive to moisture, condensation ("container rain") and odours; agree a food-grade liner, desiccant and no mixed cargo. Wooden packaging must meet ISPM 15.

Incoterms for green coffee

  • Containers (the normal case): FCA terminal at the port of loading, or CPT or CIP to the destination port. Avoid FOB and CIF for containerised cargo.
  • Delivered to plant: DAP or DPU if the supplier has an EU logistics partner.

Under CIF or CIP, agree the insurance cover level explicitly. See our guide to Incoterms 2020.

Checklist before signing

  • Species, grade, crop year, moisture and defect allowance against a named standard and arbitration rules.
  • TARIC code and current duty / preference confirmed in Access2Markets.
  • EUDR data flow agreed (geolocation, deforestation-free evidence, legality, DDS) ahead of the application date.
  • Ochratoxin A and pesticide certificates of analysis from an accredited lab.
  • Dry food-grade liner, desiccant, ISPM 15 packaging and no-taint transport agreed.

On Hiram you can post a green coffee request with species, grade and EUDR/food-safety requirements and compare quotes from suppliers worldwide by total landed cost. Go to the market.

Sources

This article is for information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules and rates change: check the current official sources or consult an adviser before you decide.

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