To import coffee into the US, you will need to work with the CBP, FDA, and USDA
These three agencies - the US Customs & Border Protection, Food, and Drug Administration, and the US Department of Agriculture - will provide you with the necessary information and guidance for importing coffee into the country.
CBP's "informed compliance" publication is a resource that provides important information for coffee importers to understand. It is recommended that coffee importers read this publication to ensure that they comply with CBP regulations and requirements.
It is important to ensure that the country of origin is marked on each bag of coffee before it is shipped. This will help with the classification and marking of the coffee, which should be per the guidelines provided by CBP in their "informed compliance" publication.
In addition, it is necessary to file an Importer Security Filing (ISF) at least 48 hours before the shipment's estimated time of departure from the last foreign port. This will help to ensure that the coffee can be properly cleared by CBP when it arrives in the US.
A Certificate of Origin is a document used to certify the country of origin of the coffee being exported. This document is required by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and it is the responsibility of the supplier or shipper to provide it. The Certificate of Origin is used to help determine the applicable tariffs and other trade regulations that may apply to imported coffee. You can find more information about the Certificate of Origin and other export documents on the ICO's website at http://www.ico.org/.
Whole beans are duty-free during entry under HTS code 0901 when importing them into the US. However, a Merchandise Processing Fee and a Harbor Maintenance Fee will apply. The Merchandise Processing Fee is calculated as 0.3464% of the value of the goods, with a minimum fee of $25 and a maximum fee of $528.33. The Harbor Maintenance Fee is calculated as 0.125% of the value of the goods, with no minimum or maximum fee.
To clear your goods through CBP, you will need to obtain a customs bond. If you do not have a continuous bond, you can purchase one through Beeontrade. Please note that it may take up to 5 days for a new bond to be processed by CBP.
Your CBP entry can be filed up to 5 days before your shipment arrives in the US. However, your goods cannot be cleared until they have undergone inspections by the FDA and USDA.
Inspections
Both the FDA and the USDA may inspect your shipment of coffee when it arrives in the US. The FDA may sample your shipment based on its size.
Please note that inspections may result in additional charges if a representative is required to accompany the shipment during the inspection, if the inspection is not done in time and causes demurrage charges, or if additional paperwork is requested.
It is important to work closely with these agencies to ensure that your shipment is properly inspected and cleared for entry into the US.
Before arrival
If you are planning to import plant or plant products into the US, including coffee, you will need to obtain a permit from the USDA. To apply for this permit, you will need to complete the USDA PPQ587 form and submit it to the USDA.
This form can be found on the USDA's website or through their Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. The PPQ is responsible for regulating the importation of plants and plant products into the US to protect against the introduction of harmful pests and diseases.
The FDA requires that a Prior Notice Filing be submitted before the arrival of your shipment in the US. We can help with this process. To complete the electronic filing, you will need to provide the following information to your broker:
- Name, business address, telephone, and email of the individual submitting the Prior Notice, as well as the firm name and address (if applicable)
- Name, firm name (if applicable), and business address, telephone, and email of the individual transmitting the Prior Notice (if someone else is transmitting it on behalf of the submitter)
- Entry type and CBP identifier (if available)
- FDA product code
- Common product name or market name
- Estimated quantity (from smallest package size to largest container)
- The lot, code number, or another identifier (if food is required to have one)
- Manufacturer's name and either the registration number, city, and country of the manufacturer or both the full address of the manufacturer and the reason the registration number is not provided (if the food is no longer in its natural state)
- Name of grower and growing location (if the food is in its natural state)
- FDA Country of Production
- Shipper's (sender's, if food is mailed) name and full address
- Country from which the food is shipped; or, if food is imported by international mail, the anticipated date of mailing and country from which the food is mailed
- Anticipated arrival information (location, date, and time); or, if food is imported by international mail, the US recipient's name and address
- Name and full address of the importer, owner, and consignee, unless the shipment is imported or offered for import for transshipment through the US under a transportation and exportation (T&E) entry; or, if food is imported by international mail, the US recipient's name and address
- Carrier and mode of transportation (except for food imported by international mail)
- Planned shipment information (except for food imported by international mail)
- Any country to which the article has been refused entry (as per the 2011 IFR).
Registration
The FDA requires all food facilities, including those that handle and process coffee, to register with the agency. This applies to both US import and export facilities. To register, you can visit the following links on the FDA website:
- Importer: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/FDARegistration/index.cfm
- Food facility: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/FDARegistration/index.cfm
It is important to ensure that your paperwork is in order before your shipment arrives to ensure that your goods are cleared efficiently and cost-effectively.