| Importing starts with green coffee that is completely | | | | International Coffee Organization) |
| processed and ready for export from the origin | | | | - Invoice sent to buyer identify the details of the |
| country. Typically, shipped in 20 foot containers of | | | | purchase and $Value. |
| 275 to 320 bags (70kb or 60kg) or less. It could also | | | | - Packing List from seller as evidence of the product |
| be loaded bulk, therefore enabling more beans to be | | | | shipped. |
| shipped, lowering the shipping costs on a per pound | | | | - Other agricultural certificates as dictated in your |
| kilo basis. | | | | country |
| From the USA, specialty coffees are most often | | | | Typically, the exporter will use an Export Broker in |
| purchased by importers or individual roasters via an | | | | the origin country who is expert in these matters and |
| FOB Contract. FOB (Free On Board) means that the | | | | can arrange all of the issues involved in preparing the |
| price paid by the buyer includes all of the costs in the | | | | coffee and the documents for export. If a broker is |
| exporting country, including processing, inland | | | | the seller/exporter, then he will handle all of the |
| transport, warehousing, dock fees, export fees and | | | | required export documentation. The buyer/importer |
| loading the container onto the ship. Ownership passes | | | | arranges for payment, ocean freight and transport |
| from the seller to the buyer once the container | | | | insurance. It's also the importer's responsibility for |
| passes over the rail of the ship. The ships captain | | | | acquiring all import documentation and arrangement in |
| prepares the Bill of Lading that you will present to | | | | his country. |
| your bank to prove the coffee is now on the ship. | | | | Of course, finding buyers is the key when importing |
| The exporter will need a bank that can handle | | | | for resell. For information to identify coffee |
| international interbank transactions. Preferably one | | | | importers, office coffee service providers and |
| that is experienced in export document requirements. | | | | specialty gourmet coffee roasters in the United |
| If not well established at this type of transaction, the | | | | States, you can purchase a membership list from the |
| exporter will not want to extend credit to any buyer, | | | | Specialty Coffee Association of America or from You |
| but will require payment terms: CAD (Cash Against | | | | can use networking sites like, TradeKey as well. |
| Documents). | | | | Note: there are always risks associated with |
| A CAD transaction enables the exporter to have | | | | importing. Although the importer may have received |
| payment deposited into his bank account after | | | | samples representing the coffee purchased, in most |
| presenting to the bank the required documents | | | | cases the actual coffee received will match the |
| proving that the coffee purchased by the importer | | | | quality grade, type and source, every coffee lot is |
| (buyer) meets the specifications in the coffee | | | | different, even from the same region and farm. |
| purchase contract/agreement. The exporter's bank | | | | There are a few ways to lower this risk. One is to |
| will determine exactly what documents are required. | | | | be sure you have a "green coffee contract" modeled |
| These documents may include: | | | | after the Green Coffee Association Contract Terms |
| - Ocean Bill of Lading (from the freight liner after the | | | | & Conditions. Second, be sure to get an export |
| coffee is loaded on the ship) | | | | sample taken directly from the contain prior to its |
| - Weight Notes to identify the exact content and | | | | being loaded onto the ship, since once the container |
| weight of that content | | | | is on the ship ownership transfers to the importer |
| - Certificate of Origin (issued by the government | | | | (FOB contract terms). Finally, when you purchase is |
| Customs authority in India) | | | | large enough, personally knowing who your buying |
| - Certificate of Fumigation (if required by importing | | | | from and even visiting the country to physically |
| country) | | | | select and monitor the export process is an option. |
| - ICO Certificate of Origin (Approved by the ICO: | | | | |