Basics of Importing Coffee into the United States
Importing coffee into the United States involves working with government agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The FDA and USDA regulate coffee as a consumer food product. You may need to work with one or both depending on the type of coffee imported. All imports must follow CBP inspection standards. Obtain permits from CBP before importing. Proper documentation is key for quick customs clearance. Work with a reputable coffee supplier for affordable, simple importing.
United States Coffee Market Overview
Coffee importing is increasing with U.S. consumer demand. Americans spent $7.24 billion on imported coffee in 2021, nearly double the second-highest importing nation Germany. Both origin and non-origin countries export many coffee varieties and styles to meet U.S. consumer tastes.
Logistics and Considerations for Coffee Importing
Proper storage preserves quality. But timeliness is also critical with coffee shipping. Using ocean freight or air freight involves tradeoffs between cost, time, and quality assurance. An experienced coffee importer handles logistics challenges like compliance, infrastructure gaps, delays, and transportation costs.
How to Import Coffee for Your Business
You should think broadly about your target audience if you’re thinking about starting a coffee import business. Include retail stores and any outlets that offer coffee in and around where your business is located. In reality, few business relationships consist of a small coffee farmer and a micro roaster, for one simple reason: preparing specialty coffee for export requires processes that are difficult and costly to accomplish on your own.
The key is to do your research and to be prepared if you want to easily import coffee. Before making that big purchase, there are many steps you can take to get your coffee roasting venture off to a good start, such as carrying out market research, considering potential startup costs, and writing a business plan.
Insights for Coffee Importing Business in the U.S.
Importers connect farmers with roasters and find interesting lots of coffee. They set up logistics to move it around the world and connect roasters with beans that provide consumers with a great drink. For coffee enthusiasts, understanding requirements, standards, and developing supplier relationships are essential for successful importing. As the world’s second-largest exporter, Vietnam’s coffee is mainly exported raw, not maximizing value.
Guide to Coffee Import Regulations and Trade
We provide a comprehensive guide to regulations, documentation, tariffs, and duties to conquer challenges in coffee importing. Get ready to ensure compliance, ethical sourcing and overcome pitfalls of the coffee import trade!